The first Parsons High School, costing $30,000, was built in 1893 at 26th and Main. Prior to this time high school classes were held in the 3rd ward school. The school offered a three year course with one year of post-graduate work. It was not until the early 1900's that it offered a full four year course.

Things To Do In Parsons Kansas

Arboretums in Parsons Kansas

2004 S Briggs Ave What is there to do at the Arboretum in Parsons Kansas? You can hike or jog along its nature trails, play 18 hole frisbee golf, bird watching, flower and tree identification, meetings, weddings and picnics! Also Glenwood Park is located right next door! The Arboretum is open year round from sun rise to sun set. The Parsons Tree Advisory Board was established in October 1987, and an early dream of the board was to establish an Arboretum. In 1991, the Union Pacific Railroad deeded nearly 19 acres of land to the city, and the dream became reality. Today the Arboretum showcases 22 acres of beautiful trees and flowers!

The area in which Parsons, KS is situated was organized as Dorn County by the first territorial legislature meeting in 1855. The name was changed to Neosho County in 1865 , Mr. dorn having joined with the confederates in 1861. Labette county was authorized and approved by the governor in 1867 as the north half of the county was settled first and established government there didn't look kindly on the people who settled in the southern half of the county. Those people, wishing to be self-governing, finally established themselves as a county. The name Labette comes from a Frenchman, Pierre LaBette, who is credited with being the first white settler in this part of the country, making his home on the creek just west of what is now Oswego.

Places of Worship