Rosedale, one of the largest cities of Wyandotte county, is situated in the southeastern portion on the south bank of the Kansas river and the St. Louis & San Francisco and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroads, 4 miles southwest of Kansas City. The town was platted in 1872 by James G. Brown, but building was not commenced to any extent until 1875, when the rolling mills were located there. By 1877 it had grown sufficiently to be organized as a city of the third class. On Aug. 3 of that year an election was ordered for the 28th of the month, when D. S. Mathias was elected the first mayor. The town grew rapidly and as early as 1882 arrangements were made for an excellent waterworks system. The population that year was 1,800, a fine large school building, many beautiful homes and stores of all kinds had been erected, and it was one of the prosperous towns of the eastern part of the state. The Catholic church perfected an organization in Rosedale in 1876. The Methodists organized about the same time, and in 1881 erected a beautiful church edifice. Since that time other religious denominations have perfected organization and built churches. At the beginning of its history Rosedale became a manufacturing town, as the Kansas Rolling mills were established there in 1875, employing some 500 men. All kinds of railroad supplies are manufactured, including rails, miners' tools, etc. The excellent shipping facilities, with the cheap coal to be obtained, has led to the establishment of other iron works. Rosedale has an excellent public school system, and is the seat of the medical department of the University of Kansas, for which a fine new hospital was erected in 1911 at a cost of over $50,000. There are good stores of all descriptions, several miles of paved streets, excellent water and lighting systems, and an independent branch of the Kansas City postoffice. All public utilities are provided and in 1910 the city had a population of 5,960.