Fort Ellsworth was established in 1864 south and a little west of the present town of Kanopolis. In 1866, Ft. Ellsworth was moved to the present site of Kanopolis and re-named Fort Harker http:myellsworth.com/echs.
The city of Ellsworth, named after Lt. Allen Ellsworth, was established in Oct. 1867 and declared the county seat. With the arrival of the Kansas Pacific Railroad terminal the town became the shipping point for the southwest. Ellsworth was full of vice during its days as a frontier town (1867-1871) Gun battles were common, hangings frequent and gambling and drinking was indulged in all hours of the night. With the coming of the cattle trade, from 1871 to 1875, Ellsworth was known as the "wickedest cow town" 
in the west.
In 2007 the downtown business district, containing mostly 19th century buildings, was designated a Historic District by the Kansas Historical Society and also on the National Register of Historic Places. Many store front sidewalks are adorned with metal silhouettes denoting tenants in the building.
- Hodgden House Museum Complex
- Fort Harker Museum, Jr. Officer's Quarters and commanding Officer's Quarters - Kanopolis
- Ellsworth Historical Plaza Walking Tour
- Ellsworth Arts Gallery
- 1887 Organ - located in the Masonic Temple Hall on Second floor of Ellsworth Antique Mall
- National Drovers Hall of Fame
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Ellsworth Kanopolis Area Chamber of Commerce
114 1/2 N Douglas Ellsworth KS 67439
785-472-4071
None listed