Lancaster - Situated ten miles west of Atchison, just off U.S. Highway 73, Lancaster got its start in 1857 when it was platted by J. W. Smith, President of the Town Company. It was named for the city in Ohio. It gained a post office the following year in March, 1858 and Smith was named its postmaster.

An advertisement promoting the new town appeared in the Atchison newspaper called the Freedom's Champion on October 16, 1858, stating in part:

"Lancaster City is the name of a new town just springing into existence. It is located 10 miles direct west of Atchison on the great military road to Forts Kearney, Laramie, Bridger, and to Santa Fe, New Mexico; Utah, Washington Territory, California, etc., all passing  through the town site. Also roads leading from Nebraska City, St. Joseph, Doniphan,
and to Grasshopper Falls, Topeka, Lecompton and Lawrence.

A more beautiful situation for a large and prosperous city could not be found in the Territory, or the Great West. Its site is rolling and dry, climate healthy and salubrious as heart could wish for. The surrounding country cannot be surpassed for its magnificent undulating prairies, being one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the whole country.

Excellent coal, building stone and timber can be found within two and a half miles. Quite a number of buildings are already erected, among which will be found a large and commodious hotel, a good store, blacksmith and carpenter shops, post office, etc."

In 1861, a Pony Express Station was located in Lancaster. 

Situated on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, the town soon became a supply point for the surrounding area and several businesses, a hotel, and school were built. A Methodist and Baptist Church were built later. Its post office briefly closed in March, 1863 but reopened in April, 1865.