Elsmore, an incorporated town of Allen county, is a station on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas R. R. in the southeastern part of the county, some 15 miles southeast of Iola, the county seat. The old town of Elsmore, which for several years was the center of attraction for the citizens of Elsmore township, was located farther west, not far from Big creek. On Aug. 25, 1888, after the route of the railroad from Kansas City to Parsons had been definitely settled, N. L. Ard, J. L. Roberts, J. A. Nicholson, W. D. and H. W. Cox, and O. P. Mattson, purchased 20 acres where the present town of Elsmore stands and platted the town. It soon became a popular trading center and shipping point for that section of the county, and in 1909 was incorporated. In 1910 it reported a population of 216. Elsmore has a money order postoffice with two rural delivery routes, a bank, several good stores, some small manufacturing enterprises, telegraph and express facilities, good schools, etc.