May 5, 2026

The 7th grade Kansas History class at Rawlins County Jr High have been learning about what life was like in Kansas during the early times of settlement. They recently have been studying the time period of 1861-1890. During this time period, many settlers headed west in search of new land and opportunities. These settlers were able to purchase land using the Homestead Act, The Preemption Act and the Timber Culture Act. The next step for these new Kansans was to survey the land and plat the selected town sites. 

The 7th grade students were able to dive into the Rawlins County Plat Books that have been collected and donated by gracious county citizens. Here, they discovered the different townships, land owners and rural residents of Rawlins County. 

The Rawlins County Appraiser's Office has land measurement guides available to the public. These guides are on convenient magnets and Rawlins County Appraiser, Alicia Baumfalk generously gave one to each of the 7th graders. These guides are helpful when learning how settlers first surveyed the land. The students can use this same land measurement knowledge today and in the future.