General Info
Stark County was established in 1879 from segments of Williams and Howard Counties. It was organized in 1883 and named in honor of railroad Vice President, George Stark. Communities were founded near railway junctions and Dickinson was selected as the county seat. By 1890 its population reached 2,304 and the area continued to grow. Early industry was led by stock raising and agriculture with residents raising wheat, barley, oats, flax, corn and an assortment of crops. Clay deposits allowed for brick manufacturing and large amounts of lignite coal were shipped to nearby markets. Land annexations changed the boundaries of Stark County in 1908 as nearby Dunn County was organized. In 1910 the population of Stark County swelled to 12,504 and the area continued to prosper. The area now houses several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places including the Dickinson Public Library, the Stark County Courthouse, the Gerhardt Octagonal Pig House and several others. Today Stark County is home to approximately 24,199 residents.