Editing Shawnee County, Kansas (section)

==Geography==
Shawnee County is in the northeastern part of [[Kansas]], in the third tier of counties west of the [[Missouri River]] and about fifty-four miles south of [[Nebraska]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has an area of {{convert|556|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|544|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|12|sqmi}} (2.1%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{Cite web |date=February 12, 2011 |title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html |access-date=April 23, 2011 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>  It is bordered by [[Jackson County, Kansas|Jackson County]] on the north, [[Jefferson County, Kansas|Jefferson County]] on the north and east, [[Douglas County, Kansas|Douglas County]] on the east, [[Osage County, Kansas|Osage County]] on the south, [[Wabaunsee County, Kansas|Wabaunsee County]] on the west, and [[Pottawatomie County, Kansas|Pottawatomie County]] on the west. Its extent in either direction is not more than twenty-four miles. The second [[standard parallel]] south passes through the county's northern half.

When the county was formed in 1855, it was bounded by the [[Kansas River]] on the north, and the southern boundary was {{convert|9|mi|km|spell=in}} further south. On February 23, 1860, the legislature changed the boundaries with the southern portion being granted to [[Osage County, Kansas|Osage County]], and the northern boundary was moved a few miles north of the river (to the second standard parallel). The present northern line (six miles north of the second standard parallel) was established in 1868.<ref name="Witness347348">Bird & Wallace 1976, pp. 347–348.</ref>

The [[Kansas River]] runs east across the county, just north of the center, being bordered on its north bank by the townships of Rossville, Silver Lake, Menoken, and Soldier, and on its south bank by the townships of Dover, Mission, and Tecumseh. The city of Topeka primarily lies to the south of the river. There is little or no current major river traffic, but it is used extensively for irrigation in the county. Major creeks emptying into the Kansas River include Cross, Soldier, Mission, Indian, and Shunganunga Creeks. The [[Wakarusa River]], which, flowing east and northeast, empties into the Kansas River in the northeastern part of [[Douglas County, Kansas|Douglas County]]. It has its sources in the township of Auburn, and waters the southern sections of Auburn, Williamsport and Monmouth—the tributary creeks flowing into it on either side forming the drainage and water system of the three townships.

The soil is a rich dark loam, varying from fifteen feet in some parts of the bottoms, to a uniform surface covering the upland prairie from one to three feet. The underlying formation is limestone. Beds of clay, are well distributed. Coal is found in detached and non-continuous beds, and is mined in a small way for local purposes in Topeka, Soldier and Menoken.

Along the western border the landscape is hilly with the [[Flint Hills]] a few miles further west in [[Wabaunsee County]]. Burnett's Mound is in the southwest part of Topeka. The highest point in Shawnee county is in Auburn (38° 53' 5'' N, 95° 56' 35'' W). Government and county surveys described the land as "bottom land, 31%; upland, 69%; forest 8%; prairie, 92%." Wooded areas are mainly found along rivers and creeks with no true forests. The growth consists of elm, cottonwood, black walnut, oak, sycamore, box elder, hickory and ash.

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Jackson County, Kansas|Jackson County]] - north
* [[Jefferson County, Kansas|Jefferson County]] - northeast
* [[Douglas County, Kansas|Douglas County]] - southeast
* [[Osage County, Kansas|Osage County]] - south
* [[Wabaunsee County, Kansas|Wabaunsee County]] - west
* [[Pottawatomie County, Kansas|Pottawatomie County]] - northwest

===Township divisions===
The county consists of twelve [[Civil township|townships]]: Soldier, Menoken, Silver Lake, Grove, and Rossville north of the [[Kansas River]]; Tecumseh, Topeka, Mission, and Dover south of the river; and Monmouth, Williamsport, and Auburn in the southernmost tier of townships occupying the [[Wakarusa River]] valley. Being a [[city]] of the first class, the [[Topeka, Kansas|city of Topeka]] is independent of any townships and excluded from the census figures for the townships. It occupies over ten percent of the county's land area and ranks fourth in population among all cities in Kansas. Altogether, the county has five [[Municipal corporation|incorporated]] cities with the other four being cities of the third class: [[Auburn, Kansas|Auburn]], [[Rossville, Kansas|Rossville]], [[Silver Lake, Kansas|Silver Lake]], and [[Willard, Kansas|Willard]].

Tecumseh Township was one of the two original townships formed in 1855, and it originally extended over all the county south of the Kansas River to the Wakarusa River.<ref name="Witness352">Bird & Wallace 1976, p. 352.</ref>  The other, Yocum Township, named after county commissioner William Yocum, contained the area south of the Wakarusa River. The formation of the townships of Topeka (1857) and Monmouth (1860) reduced Tecumseh Township to its current greatest extent of about {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} from north to south from the Kansas River and less than {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west from the county's eastern border. Small portions in the western part have been annexed by the city of Topeka, and its present area is {{convert|36|sqmi|km2}}. It contains the (unincorporated) towns of [[Tecumseh, Kansas|Tecumseh]], [[Spencer, Kansas|Spencer]], and [[Watson, Kansas|Watson]]. The town and township were named for the famous [[Tecumseh|Shawnee chief]].<ref name="Witness351">Bird & Wallace 1976, p. 351.</ref>

Topeka Township was carved out of the western portion of Tecumseh Township in 1857.<ref name="Witness353">Bird & Wallace 1976, p. 353.</ref>  Following the creation of newer townships and annexations by the city of Topeka, the size of the township has been significantly reduced. Today, it occupies {{convert|12|sqmi|km2}}, and it is in extent about {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} from north to south and {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west. It contains the town of [[Pauline, Kansas|Pauline]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=King |first=James Levi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_JGCWvas3IkC&q=Topeka+Township,+town+of+Pauline |title=History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and Representative Citizens |date=1905 |publisher=Richmond & Arnold |page=53 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Duncan |first=Spencer L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6AEP-CI71TwC&dq=Topeka+Township%2C+town+of+Pauline&pg=PA74 |title=Historic Shawnee County: The Story of Topeka & Shawnee County |date=2005 |publisher=HPN Books |isbn=978-1-893619-43-2 |page=74 |language=en}}</ref>

Monmouth Township, in the county's southeastern corner, has an area of {{convert|56|sqmi|km2}}. In extent it is {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} north to south and {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} east to west. It contains the town of [[Berryton, Kansas|Berryton]]. [[Richland, Kansas|Richland]], which was in the township's far southeast corner, was purchased by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1960s as a part of the land acquired for Clinton Lake. By 1974, the town was vacated and the remaining buildings were demolished shortly afterward.{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}

Williamsport Township, established in 1860, was named after [[Williamsport, Pennsylvania|Williamsport]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name="Witness358">Bird & Wallace 1976, p. 358.</ref>  With an area of {{convert|41|sqmi|km2}}, it is in extent {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} from north to south to the county's southern border and {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west between Monmouth and Auburn townships. It contains the towns of [[Wakarusa, Kansas|Wakarusa]] and [[Cullen Village, Kansas|Cullen Village]] and the greater portion of [[Forbes Field (airport)]].

Auburn Township, {{convert|56|sqmi|km2}} in area, occupies the county's southwestern corner. In extent it is {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} from north to south and {{convert|10|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west, and it contains the city of Auburn.

Dover Township was carved from northern portions of Auburn Township in 1867 and named after [[Dover, New Hampshire|Dover]], [[New Hampshire]].<ref name="Witness329330">Bird & Wallace 1976, pp. 329–330.</ref> In extent it is {{convert|12|mi|km|spell=in}} from north to south from the Kansas River and {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west to the county's western border, with an area of {{convert|57|sqmi|km2}}. It includes the city of Willard and the towns of [[Dover, Kansas|Dover]] and [[Valencia, Kansas|Valencia]].

Mission Township was formed from parts of Dover and Topeka townships in 1871.<ref name="Witness339" /> The City of Topeka has since annexed northeastern portions of the township. It now occupies {{convert|32|sqmi|km2}}, and its greatest extent is not more than {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} from north to south and {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west. It contains several subdivisions and the [[Lake Sherwood (Kansas)|Sherwood Lake]] area.

Soldier Township was organized following the change in the county's borders in 1860, and it contained all of the county north of the Kansas River until the formation of Silver Lake Township in 1868.<ref name="Witness350">Bird & Wallace 1976, p. 350.</ref>  A southern portion of the township has been annexed by the city of Topeka. With an area of {{convert|63|sqmi|km2}}, it is in extent less than {{convert|10|mi|km|spell=in}} from north to south from the county's northern border and less than {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west from the county's eastern border. It contains the town of [[Elmont, Kansas|Elmont]].

Silver Lake Township was carved out of the western portion of Soldier Township after the county's northern border was moved in 1868.<ref name="Witness350" />  The formation of the surrounding townships of Rossville (1871) to the west, Menoken (1879) to the east, and Grove (1918) to the north has reduced the size of the township. With an area of {{convert|18|sqmi|km2}}, its greatest extent is about {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} from north to south to the Kansas River and {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west. It contains the city of Silver Lake, and it is named after a [[crescent]]-shaped lake near the city.<ref name="Witness348">Bird & Wallace 1976, p. 348.</ref>

Rossville Township, occupying the county's northwestern corner, was carved out of the western part of Silver Lake Township in 1871.<ref name="Witness347">Bird & Wallace 1976, p. 347.</ref>  It has an area of {{convert|52|sqmi|km2}}, and its greatest extent is about {{convert|9|mi|km|spell=in}} from north to south to the Kansas River and {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west. It includes the city of Rossville. The township and city were named for William W. Ross, the brother of Senator [[Edmund G. Ross]].<ref name="Witness346">Bird & Wallace 1976, p. 346.</ref>

Menoken Township, {{convert|45|sqmi|km2}} in area, was carved out of the eastern portions of Silver Lake Township in 1879.<ref name="Witness339">Bird & Wallace 1976, p. 339.</ref> Extending from the county's northern border to the Kansas River, it is not more than {{convert|11|mi|km|spell=in}} in extent from north to south and less than {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west. The township's name is derived from a Native American word meaning "fine growth" or "a place for fine growing".<ref name="Witness339" />

Grove Township is the youngest of the townships. It was carved out of the northern portion of Silver Lake Township in 1918.<ref name="Witness333">Bird & Wallace 1976, p. 333.</ref> Very little remains of its only town, [[Grove, Kansas|Grove]]. With an area of {{convert|30|sqmi|km2}}, the township is {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} in extent from north to south from the county's northern border and {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} from east to west between Menoken and Rossville townships.