Cities and Towns in Meade County, Kansas
Founded in 1885, Meade County is one of 105 counties in the state of Kansas. Historically, Meade County was formed from Finney, Ford and Seward Counties. The city of Meade is the county seat. With FIPS code of 119, Meade County has a population of 4,022 and area of 978 square miles (2,533 km²).
List of all cities in Meade County, KS alphabetically
| City/Town | Postal Code | Area Code |
| Fowler, KS | 67844 | 620 |
| Meade, KS | 67864 | 620 |
| Plains, KS | 67869 | 620 |
Major Cities and Towns in Meade County, Kansas
Meade
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude
- Area: 1.36 square miles
- Population: Approximately 1,600
- Zip Code: 67864
- Latitude: 37.2850° N
- Longitude: 100.3439° W
Location and History
Meade, the county seat of Meade County, is located in southwestern Kansas along U.S. Highway 54, about 45 miles northeast of Liberal. Founded in 1885, the town was named after Fort Meade, a military post in South Dakota, in honor of General George Meade of Civil War fame. Meade developed as a central trading hub for local farmers and ranchers, with agriculture remaining a critical component of the town’s economy to this day. The town’s history is tied to its position along major transportation routes, which facilitated the movement of cattle, grain, and other goods. Over the years, Meade has retained its small-town charm while serving as the administrative and cultural center of the county.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Meade is part of Meade USD 226, which includes Meade High School, Meade Junior High School, and Meade Elementary School. The town is known for the Dalton Gang Hideout and Museum, which draws tourists interested in the infamous outlaw group that once roamed the region. Another key landmark is Meade State Park, located just a few miles south of the city, offering recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, and camping. Meade County Courthouse, a historic building located in the center of town, stands as a symbol of the town’s administrative role. The annual Meade County Fair celebrates the area’s agricultural heritage with livestock shows, rodeos, and local exhibitions.
Fowler
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude
- Area: 0.40 square miles
- Population: Approximately 550
- Zip Code: 67844
- Latitude: 37.3828° N
- Longitude: 100.1961° W
Location and History
Fowler is located in northeastern Meade County, along U.S. Highway 54, roughly 12 miles from the county seat, Meade. The town was founded in 1886 and named after George Fowler, an early settler and cattleman who helped develop the area. Fowler grew as a small agricultural town, benefiting from its location along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, which facilitated the transport of crops and livestock. Over the years, Fowler has maintained its agricultural focus, with wheat farming and cattle ranching being the primary industries. The town offers a peaceful, rural lifestyle, surrounded by vast Kansas prairies.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Fowler is served by Fowler USD 225, which includes Fowler High School and Fowler Elementary School. One of the town’s main landmarks is Fowler Park, a local gathering spot that offers playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas. Fowler Threshing Days is an annual event that celebrates the town’s farming history, featuring old-fashioned threshing demonstrations, parades, and community meals. The surrounding countryside offers opportunities for hunting, birdwatching, and exploring the Kansas plains. Fowler’s historic Santa Fe Railroad Depot serves as a reminder of the town’s connection to the railroad and its role in the agricultural economy.
Plains
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude
- Area: 0.58 square miles
- Population: Approximately 1,100
- Zip Code: 67869
- Latitude: 37.2617° N
- Longitude: 100.5900° W
Location and History
Plains is located in southwestern Meade County, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and U.S. Highway 54. Founded in 1885, Plains was originally a small farming and ranching community that grew rapidly when the railroad arrived, providing critical connections to larger markets. Known as “the town with the widest main street in the U.S.,” Plains takes pride in this unusual distinction, with its wide thoroughfare reflecting the town’s early growth and planning. Agriculture, particularly wheat farming and cattle ranching, has been the backbone of the town’s economy for over a century. Plains continues to thrive as a rural community with strong agricultural roots.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Plains is part of USD 483 Southwestern Heights School District, with local students attending Southwestern Heights High School in nearby Kismet. The town is home to the Plains Historical Museum, which preserves local history through exhibits on early settlers, farming equipment, and the town’s railroad heritage. Big Basin Prairie Preserve, located nearby, is a natural landmark offering opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation, featuring the stunning geological feature of Big Basin, a large natural depression. Plains also hosts the annual Widest Main Street Festival, a celebration that includes parades, games, and community gatherings.
Missler (Ghost Town)
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude
- Area: N/A (abandoned)
- Population: 0 (ghost town)
- Zip Code: N/A
- Latitude: 37.2347° N
- Longitude: 100.3967° W
Location and History
Missler, now considered a ghost town, was once a small settlement in Meade County, located southeast of Meade along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway. Founded in the late 19th century, Missler was part of the wave of small agricultural communities that sprang up in western Kansas during the expansion of the railroad. The town’s economy was primarily based on farming, with local residents growing wheat and raising livestock. However, as transportation patterns shifted and larger towns became more dominant, Missler’s population dwindled, and the town was eventually abandoned.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Missler no longer has schools, but it is part of the historical narrative of Meade County’s development. While no significant landmarks remain standing in Missler, the site is remembered through local history and stories of early settlers who braved the Kansas plains. Nearby landmarks, such as Meade State Park and the Dalton Gang Hideout in Meade, provide historical context for visitors interested in the region’s pioneering past. The remnants of Missler serve as a reminder of the many small towns that once dotted the landscape of rural Kansas, contributing to the state’s rich agricultural heritage.
Carwile (Ghost Town)
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude
- Area: N/A (abandoned)
- Population: 0 (ghost town)
- Zip Code: N/A
- Latitude: 37.2094° N
- Longitude: 100.6389° W
Location and History
Carwile is another ghost town in Meade County, located west of the town of Plains. Founded in the late 19th century, Carwile was once a small farming community that grew along with the development of agriculture in southwestern Kansas. Like many similar towns in the region, Carwile thrived briefly during the height of Kansas’ agricultural expansion but eventually declined as transportation routes and economic centers shifted away. The town was abandoned in the early 20th century, and today little remains of the original settlement.
Major Schools and Landmarks
As a ghost town, Carwile has no schools or active landmarks. However, its legacy is preserved in local history and the memories of the early settlers who once lived there. The surrounding prairie offers a glimpse of the wide-open landscapes that characterized the town’s early years. Nearby natural landmarks, such as Big Basin Prairie Preserve and Meade State Park, provide opportunities for exploring the unique environment of southwestern Kansas. While Carwile no longer exists as a functioning community, it is part of the region’s story of settlement, agriculture, and the challenges of rural life on the Great Plains.
