Cheyenne Community Development Corporation

04/03/2026

Thank you Kansas Main Street for visiting Cheyenne County!

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

The Bird City Car Wash is open!!

04/01/2026

Learn more about the Homestead Act(1862) and the Timber Culture Act (1873) …………………………..
at the Annual Meeting of the Cheyenne County Historical Society on April 12th at 2:00. There will be a short program followed by plenty of time for descendants of early Cheyenne County homestead families to share stories about the challenges of that time in our history.

Passed in 1862, the Homestead Act accelerated western Kansas settlement by offering 160 acres of public land to citizens who lived on, improved, and farmed it for five years for a small fee. It was crucial in populating the high plains, driving more than 90,000 claims in Kansas. The Act aimed to populate the "Great American Desert" by encouraging individual farming, significantly shaping Kansas' diverse demographics
To obtain the deed, individuals had to be 21 or heads of households, build a home, farm, and live on the land. Settlers faced severe droughts, harsh winds, prairie fires, and a lack of trees for building.

Following that, the Timber Culture Act of 1873 was a U.S. Federal Law designed to encourage tree planting on the Great Plains by granting settlers an 160-acre, free timber claim if they planted and cultivated trees on 40 acres (later reduced to 10) of that land over eight to ten years. It aimed to alleviate fuel shortages and improve environmental conditions, but was repealed in 1891 due to fraud, low success rates, and harsh environmental conditions that killed many plantings.

If you are not descended from early settlers, you will learn about the settlement history of this area. Everyone is invited. Some will share stories. Others will gain a deeper understanding of what has gone before to shape this county.

Annual Meeting of the Cheyenne County Historical Society
Sunday, April 12, 2:00
The Old Country Church, West US Hwy 36, St. Francis,KS

03/27/2026

Congratulations Bird City Hometown Market!

We’re so excited and honored to receive this award! 🎉

Out of around 800+ stores, we were ranked the highest—and we are truly humbled by this recognition.

This achievement belongs to our Bird City community and our valued customers. Thank you for showing up, supporting us, and allowing us to serve you every day.

We couldn’t do this without you—and we’re just getting started! 💙🤍

03/26/2026

Great video featuring St. Francis!!

03/25/2026

Don’t forget to order your pies!

Needing Easter pies? The sign up sheet is here!

03/25/2026

Cheyenne County Cruisers car show on May 9th in Bird City at the Van Doren park from 10am -2pm!

03/23/2026

Pop-up flower shop coming to Cheyenne County! Stay tuned!