Barber County is located in the south-central region of Kansas and is part of the Great Plains region. The county covers a total area of 1,011 square miles and has a population of 4,812 (as of 2019). Barber County is bordered by Comanche County to the north, Kiowa County to the east, Pratt County to the south, and Edwards County to the west. The topography in Barber County varies from flat plains in the north to rolling hills and rugged buttes in the south. The county is home to many species of birds and wildlife including prairie chickens, wild turkeys, quail, deer, elk, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and rattlesnakes.
According to gradinmath, the county seat of Barber County is Medicine Lodge which was founded in 1872. Medicine Lodge lies along the banks of Medicine Creek and is known for its historic buildings from the late 19th century. In addition to its historic buildings Medicine Lodge also offers numerous recreational activities such as hunting fishing camping hiking biking boating golfing swimming bird-watching rock climbing canoeing kayaking horseback riding and more. There are also several museums throughout town including a museum dedicated to Native Americans which showcases artifacts from local tribes such as Cheyenne Apache Arapaho Kiowa Comanche Wichita Pawnee Osage Sioux and others.
School districts in Barber County, Kansas
Barber County, Kansas is home to four public school districts: Medicine Lodge USD 254, Hardtner USD 255, Sun City USD 256, and Kiowa County USD 422. Additionally, there is one private school in the county that serves grades K-12.
Medicine Lodge USD 254 serves students in the communities of Medicine Lodge, Sharon, and Sun City. The district includes three elementary schools (K-5), one middle school (6-8), and one high school (9-12). The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, band, choir, drama club, student council, and more.
Hardtner USD 255 serves students in the communities of Hardtner and Mullinville. The district includes two elementary schools (K-5) and one high school (6-12). The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, band, choir student council FFA club Future Farmers of America club Key Club National Honor Society 4H club and more.
Sun City USD 256 serves students in the community of Sun City. The district includes one elementary school (K-5) and one high school (6-12). The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams band choir drama club student council FFA club Future Farmers of America club Key Club National Honor Society 4H club and more.
Kiowa County USD 422 serves students in Barber County as well as adjacent Kiowa County. The district includes two elementary schools (K-5), one middle school (6-8), and one high school (9-12). The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams band choir drama club student council FFA club Future Farmers of America Key Club National Honor Society 4H club and more.
In addition to the public schools Barber County is home to Central Christian Academy which is an independent nonsectarian private K-12 Christian School that was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide quality education while teaching traditional values based on Biblical principles throughout all aspects of their curriculum.
Major schools in Barber County, Kansas
Barber County, Kansas is home to several public schools that serve the educational needs of students from the area. These include Medicine Lodge USD 254, Hardtner USD 255, Sun City USD 256, and Kiowa County USD 422. Additionally, there is one private school in the county that serves grades K-12.
Medicine Lodge USD 254 serves students in the communities of Medicine Lodge, Sharon, and Sun City. The district includes three elementary schools (K-5), one middle school (6-8), and one high school (9-12). The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, band, choir, drama club, student council, and more. Hardtner USD 255 serves students in the communities of Hardtner and Mullinville. The district includes two elementary schools (K-5) and one high school (6-12). The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, band, choir student council FFA club Future Farmers of America club Key Club National Honor Society 4H club and more.
Sun City USD 256 serves students in the community of Sun City. The district includes one elementary school (K-5) and one high school (6-12). The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams band choir drama club student council FFA club Future Farmers of America club Key Club National Honor Society 4H club and more.
Kiowa County USD 422 serves students in Barber County as well as adjacent Kiowa County. The district includes two elementary schools (K-5), one middle school (6-8), and one high school (9-12). The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams band choir drama club student council FFA club Future Farmers of America Key Club National Honor Society 4H club and more.
Central Christian Academy is an independent nonsectarian private K-12 Christian School located in Barber County that was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide quality education.
Notable people of Barber County, Kansas
According to businesscarriers, Barber County is home to many notable people, including actors, athletes, musicians, and politicians. One of the most well-known residents is actor Kurt Russell, who was born in Springfield in 1951 and grew up in nearby Towanda. He’s starred in a variety of films throughout his career, including Escape from New York and Tombstone. Another notable Barber County resident is former Kansas State Senator and NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Dickey. Born in Medicine Lodge in 1949, Dickey was drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1971 and played quarterback for them until 1983. Following his retirement from football, he served as a state senator from 1993 to 2003.
Also hailing from Barber County is country singer Kenny Rogers. Born near Houston in 1938, Rogers moved to the county at a young age and began singing at local events while still attending school. His rise to fame came with The First Edition in 1967 and he went on to record some of country music’s most beloved hits like “The Gambler” and “Islands In The Stream”. To this day, he continues to perform around the world for fans of all ages.