Founded: 1869, Population: 36,252 (2000), Elev.: 826 ft.
Located in the Southeast Region of the state, in Montgomery County (County Seat) southeast of Wichita and along US Highway 75. The townsite was bought from the Indians by George A. Brown in Sept., 1869, before the land had been acquired by the government. Nearby is Coffeyville and montgolk]. The Verdigris River passes town on the east side of town and Elk City Reservoir, (on the Elk River), is 5 miles northwest of Independence.
Visitors may also enjoy: Independence Historical Museum, Independence Science and Technology Center, Ralph Mitchell Zoo, 124-acre Riverside Park and the William Inge Boyhood Home.
One of the important cities of southeastern Kansas, and from a manufacturing standpoint, one of the most important in the state. The city is in the midst of the great natural gas and oil fields of Kansas.
