For millennia, the land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans.
 In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
 In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.
 In 1867, Barton County was founded.

The first claim at Ellinwood was staked in 1871 when it was certain the Santa Fe railroad would be completed nearby.
 The railroad was finished in 1872 and the city was named after Colonel John R. Ellinwood, a civil engineer working for the Santa Fe railroad.
Although neither the founder nor the original settlers were German, many of the main streets were given German names, in order to appeal to German immigrant buyers.

In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company.
 In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood.
 The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.
 The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968.
 In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway.
In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned.
 The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.
For millennia, the land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans.  In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase.  In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.  In 1867, Barton County was founded.
The first claim at Ellinwood was staked in 1871 when it was certain the Santa Fe railroad would be completed nearby.  The railroad was finished in 1872 and the city was named after Colonel John R. Ellinwood, a civil engineer working for the Santa Fe railroad. Although neither the founder nor the original settlers were German, many of the main streets were given German names, in order to appeal to German immigrant buyers.
In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company.  In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood.  The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.  The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968.  In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned.  The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.
Ellinwood, Kansas