Captain James McDermott, was the founder of the town of Dexter.  He was a member of the firm of B.S. Tyler & Co. who operated the first store in Dexter.

     The first house erected upon the town site was built by Mr. McDermott in the southeast section of the town at the corner of Grouse & Cherry Streets; he moved into the house July 25th.   

   Dexter township was organized April 11th from parts of Cresswell and Winfield townships and the territory that was published as Grouse prior to that.

     The Masonic Hall was built by Dempsey Elliott and the Masonic membership with rough lumber from Grouse Creek trees and finished lumber hauled overland from Thayer, Kansas, by an ox team.

     At this time there were two stores, one belonging to Dick Bryan and the other to Dempsey Elliott, Mr. F. Henderson had the drug store.

     Spotted fever or spinal meningitis, made its appearance on Grouse Creek.  About a dozen deaths were reported in the Lazette vicinity, north of Cambridge.

     During the winter of 1873 & 1874 there were general prairie fires all over the country, and all the accumulated grass was burned, making fire so hot that the roots of the grass were largely killed out.

     The Masonic Lodge was organized in the spring and on October 22nd the Lodge was chartered with 17 members with the greatest number being Union Soldiers.

     Dexter Town Association was formed and the town plotted.  Peter G Smith was president and James McDermott secretary.

     Carter Bro. saw & grist mill was built by Meigs & Kinnie one mile north of Dexter on Grouse Creek.  It was powered by steam.

     At the time the town was layed out there were three or four stores, a blacksmith shop, a hotel, and various other business establishments.

     Dave Perry sold a Civil War sword to the Masonic Lodge for $1.50 for use of Tyler.

     Dr Wagner built a new office, measuring 12 x 16 feet on the east side of main street.

     Mr. Stephen Bibler started business with a small quantity of groceries in an 8 x 10 feet building renting for $5.00 per month.

     H.C. McDorman brought in the first steam thresher pulled by a yoke of cattle.

     A. J. Truesdell engaged in the hardware business, later added groceries.

     Wesley Trevitt was the first school teacher to become a member of the Dexter Masonic Lodge, having transferred his membership from Highland, Kansas.

     In the fall Captain A. B. Elliott, farmer and miller, with L. B. Bollington built a flour mill on Grouse Creek.

     J. V. Hiner was appointed post master.  He was also involved in real estate, loan, and insurance business.

   There were nine general stores, two restaurants, one drug store, and two millinery stores in town at this time.

     The house located on the southeast corner of Central & Maple, now owned and occupied by Mrs. Mollie Woods, was first located on the northeast corner of main & central streets, where it was a hotel built and run by O.P. Darst, a well known farmer and cattleman on Grouse Creek.

     Publication of the Free Press newspaper began September 14th and was published for ten years.

     The first city officials were elected; J. D. Salmon, Mayor; H. D. Cooper, City Clerk; W. E. Merydith, City Treasurer; J. V. Hiner, Police Judge; Sam Nicholson, Marshall; and five councilmen: J. T. Riggs, Rudolph Hite, G. M. Hawkins, S. H. Willis, and James Nicholson.

     Prior to this time the cemetery was located west of town on Grouse Creek.  Due to flooding it was moved to the hill east of town.

     The Newspaper The Dexter Eye was established with W. G. Seaver, editor, and J. V. Vines, business manager.

     The Dexter Christian Church was organized.  Rev. J.J. Goodwill was minister.

     The first bank was organized and opened with A. A. Brown as cashier.

     The Christian church appointed a committee of J. A. Millian and C. C. Brown for the purpose of obtaining a charter and making plans for building a church and parsonage.  J. A. Williams donated two city lots to the church.

   The Dexter Baptist Church began as the Fairview Baptist Church.  It was located 2½ miles south of Dexter with 25 charter members.

     In the winter of 1891/1892 ice was cut from Grouse Creek and stored in the ice house.

    The Dexter Bank was robbed by the Dalton Gang.  The night before the robbery the gang spent the night with the Ketchum family, seven miles south of town.      Click here for more       Cedar Vale Commersial

     Sept 16th several area men made the Cherokee Strip Run; included were James W. Radcliff, Ross Day, George Laycock, William Greenwell, and others.

     In April Mrs. J. England opened a millinery shop, the first door south of the Commercial Hotel.

     The Omega Society of Dexter High School elected Miss Maude Maurer president and Miss Myrtle Williamson was the new president of Rosetti Society.  The Alpha Literary was the Grade School society.

     James S. Day traded his farm to J. F. Trusdale for a 40 foot building with a stock of groceries & hardware.

     The newspaper, the Advocate, was established September 2nd to be printed for nine years.

    Area men who fought in the Spanish-American War were Thomas E. Grimes and Nathaniel T. Foster.

     Several new businesses opened to better serve the needs of the community.

     The Fairview Baptist Church voted to move into Dexter, where they reorganized as The First Baptist Church on August 22nd.  They held their meetings in Beal's Furniture Store, the School house, and the Bolton Hall.

     The Warrensburg train wreck, many local citizens were injured or killed.  Dr. R.D. Williams, physician & surgeon, Mrs. Bill Darst and her son were among the casualties.

     It was this year that the coldest day on record was recorded at 27 below zero.

   There were now four churches in Dexter: Baptist, Christian, Methodist & Presbyterian.

     J. H. Bray, a derelict, died of smallpox.  To protect the community, his tent & personal effects were burnt.

     First Auto in Dexter was owned by John Riggs.  It had buggy wheels & a chain drive.

     Dexter piped Helium Gas into homes......(wonder what their reaction was when it wouldn't burn?)

   Roy Catlin shipped  fifteen cars of walnut logs cut  from Grouse Creek Timber.

     In May a building committee was elected for the First Baptist Church and in November the building of the church began.

   Skating rink  was opened on Central Street in a tent.  Jess Taylor  was operator.

   The city now had two banks, a post office with two routes, express, telegraph, and telephone, a weekly newspaper, The Dispatch, a hotel, many important mercantile and shipping interests.

    The first Chautauqua was held; it was the beginning of a nineteen year tradition.

    The school house on Maple street burnt down.  The fire was caused by fumigation.  Below is the burning structure.

    A new modern school building was  started to replace the one that burnt down in 1913.

   The Dexter Dispatch and the Dexter News consolidated and became The Dexter Dispatch News.  J. L. Alexander was editor.  The name was again changed after the second issue to The Dexter Observer.

     A fire in Dexter destroyed a picture gallery, a butcher shop, a mortuary, a blacksmith shop, and a lumber yard.  These businesses were located on the west side of Main between Central and Kansas streets.

    The Christian Church was reorganized after being inactive for a couple of years.

    D.A. Hale Mercantile Company sponsored a popularity contest; first prize was a new Ford car.  It was won by Irene (Hoyt) Duncan.  Second prize was a bedroom suite and third prize was a Victoria.

     The Helium Plant was constructed by a Kentucky corporation this year.  Not only was it used for helium production, but it served as a research center for nitrogen uses.

     A Lodge meeting was interrupted to put out a fire for Cass Bolack, five miles outside of town.

   The volunteer Fire Dept was created.  It consisted of a fire chief, and assistant chief and at least ten volunteers but not more than twenty.

    In Feb an ordinance granted to E. E. Fulton, his successors or assigns, the right to construct, operate and maintain a telephone exchange and telephone lines in the city of Dexter.

     The Dexter natural gas Helium plant was taken over by the Government.

     The Mayflower Blimp of the Goodyear Rubber Company flew over the city to land on the hill east of town where it was refueled with helium.  Several local citizens were given rides in the dirigible.

     The city ordinance concerning a water works system was passed.  Whereas, at an election held in the City of Dexter, Kansas on the 18th day of November, 1927, the Mayor and councilmen of the said city were authorized to construct and install a system of water works in said city and direct to issue bonds in the amount of twenty six thousand dollars ($26,000) to pay the cost of the construction of said system of water works.

    City Ordinance concerning gas to homes was passed in August.   "An ordinance granting to the Western Distribution Company, a corporation, its successors and assigns, a franchise to manufacture gas; and to operate a natural or manufactured gas distribution plant and system in the city of Dexter."

     It was approved that special improvements consisting of cement curbs and gutters, where necessary, be constructed on both sides of main street.

     "An ordinance providing for the sale of electric transmission line owned by the City of Dexter and extending from said city to the city limits of the City of Winfield, providing a consideration for said sale and submitting the proposition of such sale, the sum of $16,000 was received by the City of Dexter."

    Glenwood Happy Circle Club was organized with 13 members with Mrs. Perry Elliot as the first president.  This was a social club whose members made dish towels and tacked comforters.

    The pool hall owned and operated by C. Dixon was destroyed by an explosion.

    The old Lodge Hall, where meetings had been held for 49 years was torn down.

     The big cottonwood tree at the bank corner, a local landmark, was cut down.

     This was the first year the eighth grade received their diplomas at the local school.

     Albert Chambers, the "acting" post master, was appointed to post master.  Dexter was made a 3rd class office.

     The American forces landed on Attu Island in the Aleutians.  It was the first American territory regained from Japan in World War II.

     George Ghramn, a 1936 Dexter High School graduate, was killed in action.  He was a P-38 pilot.

    World War II ended.  The Germans signed a treaty with unconditional surrender terms.

     The Army Mothers Club had placed the Dexter Honor Roll on the corner of Main & Central during World War II.

     Adolph Hitler's death was announced and the Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald was liberated by American Soldiers.

   The Masonic Lodge celebrated  the Diamond (75) year of  continuous operations.

     The Missouri Pacific Rail Road went on strike.  All trains were at a standstill.  Cattle were driven over land to other rail roads.

     C. Joe Duncan and wife, Irene, buys the grain elevator from the Shrader estate.

     Hot Lunch Program was started at the Dexter School.  Mrs. Vesta Glass and Mrs. Eva Fulton were the first cooks.

   The rock quarry was opened east of town.  The rock was used in the construction of the present K-15 highway.

     The City Council passed a plan of coverage for extending the benefits of the Title II of the Federal Social Security Act to the employees of the City of Dexter.

     Merchandise valued at $700-800 and about $30.00 in cash were taken in two burglaries in Dexter.  The businesses broken into were the Joe Duncan Hardware and the Maggard Grocery.

     Henry's Candy Kitchen was started as a part time operation by Pat Henry, Sr.

   April 3rd a tornado struck the Maple City and Otto area.  Six homes were destroyed and six others were heavily damaged.

     There was discussed the possibility of new life for the city in production and marketing of helium through governmental projects to obtain new fuel for satellites and missiles.

     A new pumper fire truck was tried out by the Dexter Volunteer Fire Dept with Arnold Shirley, councilman and fire chief.  It was to replace a 1935 model.  Working in Grouse Creek, the pumper truck discharged two tons of water in a two hour test.  The truck was equipped with a 500 gallon tank.  It was decided to purchase the truck and equipment.

    The 1961 census showed a drop of 65 from the 1950 census; Dexter population was now at 289.

     Summer swimming program at Winfield local children signed up were Mary Lou & George Shadid, Diana Love, Iris Shirley, Marianne Brenner, and Gary Edwards.

   Due to more interest in swimming lessons,  a bus was secured for transportation from the school activities committee to use for transportation.

     The Dexter Rug Hooking Club was organized with Mrs. E.L. (Virgia) Jones as instructor.

     Micky Gandy, a 1963 Dexter High Graduate, was killed in combat action in Viet Nam.

     The Title I Program was started in the Dexter Schools.  It was a summer program to help students improve in reading & physical education.

     The Historical Marker was placed at U.S.166 & K-15 highway junction, telling of the Dexter helium discovery.

    The Christian Church Bible Study was organized with 12 members.  Mrs. Venita Broyles was president.  They meet every Tuesday morning.

    Dexter received the No Death Award.   It was presented by the State Highway Commission Safety Consultant for no traffic deaths since 1934.

    A new modern school building was  constructed for the first thru sixth grades.

     Lines were laid into Dexter from the second city water well, located one mile North of town on Robert Brenner.

     Delbert L. Daniel recorded a religious album, "Peace in the Valley."

     R. I. P.'S Club was organized.  This is a Reduce Inches Pounds Sensibly Diet Club with 17 members.  Hazel Young is the President.  There are 11 members who meet every Tuesday evening.

     Mr & Mrs Robert L (Bobbie) Brenner of Dexter were declared winners of the Kansas area Pizza Hut Honda Civic Putt-Putt.  They won a new 1974 Honda Civic Automobile.

   The first of the Dexter-Cedar Vale school consolidation hearings began in August.

   Radcliff Ranch Inc. moved the head office from Wichita to the Merydith Addition on K-15 in the Northeast part of Dexter.

   Dexter residents received the convenience of long distance direct dial through the efforts of Southern Kansas Telephone Co, in September.

    Mrs. Edna Dale Clark retired after 38 years of teaching in the Dexter area.

     The area around the swimming pool was named the "Swimming Pool Park"  There were trees planted and playground equipment added.

     The second vote for the Dexter-Cedar Vale school merger was defeated in June.

     The Grouse Valley Manor Nursing Home was completed and plans are being finalized for operation.