Located in central
Kansas, Ellsworth County was established on February 26, 1867 and named after the old Fort Ellsworth, which was established in 1864. Two years later, the military post was renamed Fort Harker in honor of General Charles Garrison Harker who had died on June 27, 1864, from wounds received in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The county seat is located in
Ellsworth, Kansas.
