Wichita

Darius Munger and William “Dutch Bill” Greiffenstein filed a plat in 1870 to lay out the first streets for what would go on to become Wichita, Kansas. Wichita incorporated in July of that same year.

One year later, Wichita and Southwestern Railroad Company formed. Soon thereafter, a Sedgwick County bond issuance boosted prospects for Wichita and Southwestern Railroad Company and for cattlemen.

A bond issuance was approved by Sedgwick County voters on August 11, 1871 for $200,000. These bonds enabled Wichita to finance the construction of a rail line connecting Wichita to Newton. This rail extension was a boon for Texas cattlemen who could now ship cattle to Wichita. Then along to Newton, Kansas. Where the cattle would be shipped off to markets on the East Coast.