About the area |
Many of the early arrivals in the county, after it was opened for settlement around 1842, settled along Sugar Creek and in the Bethany area. When the deliberations for the county seat were over, the area of Bethany was selected however the original name for it was Dallas. When it was incorporated as a city, around 1860, it was given the name Bethany after a vote by county and court officials. The first steam mill, which produced both lumber and flour, was built in the northwest part of town around 1854. Roleke Memorial Park has several shelters, ball diamonds, and a variety of playground equipment. Next to this park there is a basketball court, tennis courts, croquet and the new Bethany Aquatic center. For a different kind of entertainment and relaxation you could visit the Dunn Ranch and Pawnee Prairie which lie a short distance North of the city. With over 3,000 acres on the ranch and over 400 acres on the Pawnee Prairie there is plenty of room for the the prairie chicken and the upland sandpiper to roam; but watch out for the cattle on the ranch. |