Ingalls is a city located in Gray County, Kansas, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 128. Ingalls is located in the northwest corner of the county on US-160 highway, approximately 13 miles west of Cimarron. Ingalls was founded in 1887 and named after the Ingalls homestead a few miles west of the city. It was the first settled town in what is now known as Gray County and served as the county seat from 1889 until 1904 when it was moved to Cimarron.
In its early days, Ingalls was a thriving farming and ranching community. It had a dry goods store, a lumberyard, a barber shop, a blacksmith shop, a mayor and city council, a post office, a bank, two churches and several schools. The town even had an opera house, designed by the prominent architect George Washburn.
The economy of Ingalls has shifted over time and today the town is primarily an agricultural community. Ingalls is home to several businesses, including a service station and convenience store, a bank and a lumber yard. The city is part of the USD 375 Gray County school system and Ingalls' elementary students attend classes at Ingalls Schools.
The Ingalls Cemetery is a popular historical site in the area and contains many pioneer graves from the days of early settlement in the county.
Today, Ingalls remains a very small town with a population of just over 100 people; however, its rich history still echoes throughout the town and the surrounding area, reminding everyone of the hard work and dedication of the pioneers who first settled here.
Interesting Facts About Ingalls City
1. Ingalls, Nebraska is the smallest incorporated city in the state with a population of just 255 according to the most recent 2020 census.
2. Founded in 1887, Ingalls is home to the oldest continuously operational grain elevator in Nebraska. The elevator was first built in 1902 and is still in use today.
3. Ingalls is home to the rural “world” headquarters of Warren Distribution, the third oldest company in the state.
4. The city is home to the annual Ingalls Daze festival, an event celebrated since 1902.
5. In 2011, the city opened the Ingalls Community Center, due in part to donations from the surrounding community.
6. The city is served by two newspapers, the Ingalls Anthology and The Ingalls Sun.
7. Ingalls is home to the only US Post Office in the state that is owned by the same family. The post office is owned by the family of former US Congressman Carl T. Curtis.
8. Ingalls is home to its own school district, the Ingalls School District.
9. Parts of the city of Ingalls are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
10. Ingalls is home to the Grand Hotel, an 18 room hotel listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996.
What is Ingalls known & Famous for
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Ingalls, Nebraska is known as the “Home of the World’s Largest Prairie Dog” due to the many prairie dogs that inhabit the area. The town was also the subject of national media attention in 2008 when a prank involving the dissection of a prairie dog was uncovered.
What Is It Like To Visit In Ingalls City?
Ingalls is a small town in South Central Nebraska. It offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation including fishing, hiking, camping, and bird watching. The community is home to many small businesses including a gas station, grocery store, restaurants, and more. Visitors to Ingalls can enjoy a peaceful rural atmosphere and friendly locals, making it an enjoyable place to visit.
