From June 1885 to June 1889, the town of Ulysses was booming, with no signs of slowed growth.
Because it was named after the 18th President of the United States of America, Ulysses S. Grant,the Supreme Court of Kansas declared the town the temporary county seat of Grant County in February 1888.
Drought set in during the second half of 1889 and by the early 1900's, Ulysses was the only surviving town in Grant County—but it's population dwindled down to a mere 40 people! The town had been bonded heavily for improvements that were never made, and the bonds were sold and the money pocketed by early grafters.
The town was left with a debt of $84,000—that is US$2,180,000 in 2014! The citizens faced a 600% increase in realty taxes and a 362% increase on personal property taxes. With no way to pay, the citizens came to a brave, united decision to move the town and it's buildings approximately two miles west.
The move began in February 1909 and was completed that June, with the help of horses to move the loads of the buildings. The residents moved their homes, businesses, and all their belongings to settle in the newly-located town renamed New Ulysses. They even brought their hotel with them! The old town site was left just the way they found it—a rolling tract of prairie.
