Octagon city is a ghost town located in Allen County, Kansas, United States. The city which was established in 1856 by the vegetarian Kansas Emigration Company was mainly used to host numerous vegetarians in the state of Kansas. A major boom was seen during Octagon’s early life but this did not stop it from neglect that it received in the future.

Establishment

At the beginning of the 1800s, most people began to revolt about meat and the unjustified killing of animals for food. This led to an increase in vegetarians in the state and the United States as a whole. Looking to advance their revolt up a notch, Vegetarians Kansas Emigration came up with the idea of building a safe space where they would interact freely between themselves.

After further discussions and reconsiderations, the organization decided to build a vegetarian community in the South of the Neosho River. The community was to be of only vegetarians and those who would like to convert to the same calling. This was the beginning of an eight-sided town, “Octagon City”. Design and every feature in the city resembled an octagon shape. This was a law that had to be followed by each and every member of the community.

Hell on earth

One can say that Octagon city was the mother of all problems. The city started as a safe haven for those who called it home but later tormented them on imaginable levels. Being remote and in close proximity to a river, Octagon city became the perfect spot for the just hatched mosquitoes. Residents in the town suffered from malaria and other flues for the better part of their stay at Octagon.  As if that is not enough, extremely strong thunderstorms and lightning were frequent in the town destroying crops on the farms. The little crops that were spared by thunderstorms were not safe as most dried up, while others were stolen by native Indians who neighbored the community. The harsh weather and difficult living conditions saw many residents relocate to other towns rendering their beloved community a ghost town by 1858.

Deserted town

Today, all that remains of Octagon town is a historical marker that commemorates the history of the town. Most of the residents relocated to the Southside and built their lives afresh. All the buildings that were once important structures of the town have collapsed over time. A railroad constructed shortly after the death of the town to lure people back into the town lies rusted and neglected with some of its rails buried by soil. The town of Octagon is open to whoever feels like visiting. To know more about the history of the town, you can visit the nearby museum for more fun facts.