Barber County, Kansas
Down in south-central Kansas, Barber County is where the plains start to get interesting. Only about 4,000 people live here, but what it lacks in population, it makes up for with impressive scenery.
The Gyp Hills look like they’ve been pulled straight from a Western, with striking red buttes and mesas. If you’re into fishing, Barber State Fishing Lake is a well-kept local secret.
Every few years, Medicine Lodge puts on a huge event recreating the famous 1867 Medicine Lodge Treaty. It’s quite the spectacle. For bird enthusiasts, the rare Lesser Prairie-Chicken also calls this area home.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Barber County |
| County Seat | Medicine Lodge |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Medicine Lodge, Kiowa, Isabel, and several smaller communities |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 160, U.S. Highway 281, Kansas Highway 2, Kansas Highway 96 |
| FIPS Code | 20-007 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 1,191 square miles (land: 1,188 sq mi, water: 3 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Pratt County (North), Kingman County (Northeast), Harper County (East), Alfalfa County, Oklahoma (Southeast), Woods County, Oklahoma (Southwest), Comanche County (West), Kiowa County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| State | Kansas |
| Coordinates | 37.21°N, 98.54°W |
| Etymology | Named after Thomas W. Barber |
| Major Landmarks | Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Site, the Kansas Native Stone Church, and the Barber County Historical Museum |
| Population | 4,000 |
