Ben Blanchard
Ben Blanchard organized a town company, which was known as the Inter-State Investment Co., on May 28, 1886. The company purchased 280 acres of land south of the river. On June 1, 1886, the town company obtained a state charter for South Hutchinson, Kansas.
During the first six months of the town's existence, the company sold over $160,000 worth of lots and it became necessary to plat several additions. Learn more about Ben Blanchard by reading the article entitled
Bold Ben Blanchard from the Reno County Historical Society, written by Linda Schmitt.
Early Settling
Soon there was a large population boom in the new town and South Hutchinson was incorporated by the Board of County Commissioners on January 4, 1887, into a city of the third class.The first city election was held on January 18, 1887, resulting in the election of R.H. Chitten, mayor; J.A. Quick, police judge; and five councilmen: J.N. Conley, W.R. Williams, J. McFarland, C. Holloway, and L.T. Williams.