Neosho Rapids, an incorporated town in Lyon county, is located in Jackson township on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. and on the Neosho river, just below its junction with the Cottonwood. It is 12 miles east of Emporia, the county seat. The main lines of business and mercantile interests are represented. It has telegraph and express offices and a money order postoffice with one rural route. The population according to the census of 1910 was 256.

In 1855 a town by the name of Italia was laid out on the site of Neosho Rapids, which name was afterwards changed to Florence. No improvements were made. In 1857 Neosho Rapids was founded by the same promoters—F. R. Page, H. S. Sleeper and G. J. Tallman. The first building was a two-story frame structure, erected by F. R. Page and Mrs. Allen, and used for a hotel. The first religious services were held in this building by a minister named Rice. A sawmill was built in 1860 by P. Harvey. In 1872 a dam costing $3,000 was put across the Neosho by the mill company.