Gaylord, an incorporated town of Smith county, is located on the north fork of the Solomon river and the Missouri Pacific R. R. 10 miles south of Smith Center, the county seat. It has a bank, a newspaper (the Sentinel), a number of good retail stores, three churches, daily stage to Smith Center, telegraph and express offices, and a money order postoffice with two rural routes. The population in 1910 was 308.

Gaylord was named in honor of C. E. Gaylord of Marshall county, Kan. The postoffice was established in 1871, with W. D. Street as the first postmaster. Mr. Street opened the first store. The first grist mill in the county was built on the Solomon at this point by Baker & Keeler in 1871. The first white child born in Gaylord was Cora May McNall, born in May, 1872. The first marriage was between Miss Rhoda Phillips and George Parker the same summer. The first town officers were: Trustee, E. R. Fowler; justice, Henry Abercombie; constable, Webb McNaIl; treasurer, George Parker. The first school was taught by Mrs. Agnes L. C. Skinner in the summer of 1872.