This Harvey County town started in a different location with a different name and is home to one of 2 colleges in Harvey County.
Hesston, Ks
1886
The community of Elivon was abandoned in favor of a site 3 miles south when the Missouri Pacific Railroad laid tracks. The new town of Hesston was named for an early settler A.L. Hess.
Green Gables, Hesston College Campus, 1940
1909
The Mennonite Church choose Hesston as the site for their “school in the West.” Hesston Academy later became Hesston College, a two year liberal arts college. In 2009, the school celebrated a century of educating young people.
Hesston, Ks. 1915. Looking southeast. Scan courtesy Jim Brower.
1921
Hesston incorporated as a 3rd class city.
Hesston, Ks 1920.
1947
Hesston Corporation was established by Adin Holdeman, Elmer Berner, and Lyle Yost. By 1955, “the Corp” was a leading manufacturer of hay implements. Bought by AGCO in the 1990s, the company remains an important employer in Harvey County.
1961
Showalter Villa Retirement Center opens.
1964
Excel Industries began producing cabs for combines and later focused production efforts on the “Hustler Mower.”
Hesston Unified School District #460 established and a high school was constructed at 100 N. Ridge Road. Today, this building is the Middle School. The current high school was constructed in 1970.
1981
Dyck Arboretum of the Plains established.
1990
March 13, 1990 a F-5 tornado tore through the center of town.
