Carved out of Bent County in 1889, Kiowa County is a rural, agricultural area with a rich and varied history. Located in southeastern Colorado in the heart of the Great Plains, Kiowa County was originally dominated by cattle ranches; however, farming quickly became just as important. The construction of the Missouri Pacific Railroad in the late 1880s sparked the growth of towns in Kiowa County, bringing a variety of ambitious settlers facing many challenges. Confronted with a well-documented drought cycle in the semiarid climate, the settlers persevered to establish schools and businesses and to create homes. Although Kiowa County never became home to a booming metropolis as early residents dreamed, the county's citizens take pride in a rich history and strive to preserve it.
The Eads High School Local History Project class, under the supervision of instructor Kelly Courkamp, worked with images supplied primarily by the Kiowa County Historical Society and Museum to produce this window into Kiowa County's storied past. Students included Shayla Fagan, Shelby Harris, Ciara Lyon, Jennifer Negley, Garrett Smith, and Lori Weirich.