Hammond, Kansas is a small city located in Bourbon County, Kansas, with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. The area was first settled in the 1860s, but it wasn’t until the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s that the town began to grow and thrive. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway (M-K-T or Katy Railroad) built a line through the area in 1881, and the town was officially founded in 1882. The railroad brought new opportunities for trade, commerce, and transportation, and Hammond quickly became a major shipping point for agricultural products and livestock.

Over time, additional rail lines were built through Hammond, including the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) and the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The ATSF line, which was completed in 1901, connected Hammond to major cities like Kansas City and Wichita, while the Missouri Pacific line, built in the 1920s, provided access to markets in the southern United States. The railroads played a crucial role in Hammond’s development, supporting the growth of local industries such as farming, ranching, and manufacturing. Today, while the railroad industry has declined somewhat, Hammond remains proud of its railroad heritage and continues to celebrate its history as a major rail hub in southeastern Kansas.