Argonia, Kansas, 48 miles southwest of downtown Wichita has a population of 650. It is located near the scenic banks of the Chicaskia River at the crossing of the Santa Fe and Kansas Southwestern railroads in western Sumner County. Argonia features the contrast of old historic places and new modern facilities.
The center of a prime agricultural area, Argonia offers a community activity center and a multipurpose city building housing well equipped EMT facilities and a volunteer fire department. Located in Unified School District #359, Argonia offers a well-rounded curriculum for preschool through college level students. There are six churches in the town.
A township library offers a storehouse of knowledge to young and old. Civic clubs actively participate in growth and prosperity of the community. The city government is the mayor/council type. Argonia boasts several thriving industries, industrial sites, and an airport. Two highways, US 160 east and west and Argonia Road north and south, provide easy access to the town. Baseball and softball are popular sports at Marty Harrison Field. A summer recreation program is very active.
Argonia was also the home of Susanna Madora Salter, America's First Woman Mayor. The Salter House is a National Historic Site which is housed in the center of Argonia. Susanna Madora Salter was elected first woman mayor of Argonia and the USA in 1887. Constructed in 1884 from brick fired in a kiln near the home, the Salter House has been tastefully and traditionally restored as it might have been when Mrs. Salter lived there. An adjacent museum in the old Mayfield Church holds antiques and artifacts preserving the culture of the area. A city park has been named in honor of Mrs. Salter. Maintained by the Argonia and Western Sumner County Historical Society, the Salter House and Museum are open to the public. The house was put on the National Register of Historic Places in September, 1971.
The Argonia Business Community has the following: City Building, Aircraft Tooling, Antique Car Restoring, Pickup Accessories, Bank, Barber Shop, Beauty Shop, Bookkeeping Service, Building Construction Companies, Car Wash, Carpet Cleaning, Carpet Laying, Civic Clubs, Convenience Store, Cosmetics Sales, Craft Shops, Electrical Service, Feed and Seed Dealers, Fertilizer Dealers, Service Stations, Flying Service, Furniture Repair/Refinishing, Furniture Store-Gifts-T.V.-VCR, Grain Elevators, Grocery Store, Ground and Air Crop Spraying Services, Computer Business Services, Income Tax Service, Insurance Agencies, Machine Shop, Mortuary, Photograph Service, Private Trucking Service, Real Estate Sales, Recreation Parlor, Restaurant-Cafe, Sharpening Service, Small Engine Repair, Soil Conservation, Upholstery Shop, Vehicle Body and Repair Shops, Welding Service, Wood Products Manufacture.
United Methodist Church Argonia Clinic Four Seasons Restaurant Community Home Community Home Kiser Manufacturing Dixon Township Library Metal Products Division Salter Museum