Dexter, an incorporated city of Cowley county, is located on Grouse creek in the township of the same name, at the junction of two divisions of the Missouri Pacific R. R. 20 miles southeast of Winfield, the county seat. The Dexter town company was first organized by some citizens of Emporia in 1870, but the town was not laid off and the plat filed until in Oct., 1875. James McDermott built the first house in the town. The postoffice was established in Sept., 1870, and the first mail by regular carrier came from Eureka the following March. A water power flour mill was among the first industries to be established. The Dexter of 1911 has 2 banks, a money order postoffice with two rural routes, express, telegraph and telephone accommodations, churches of several denominations, a weekly newspaper (the Dispatch), a hotel, important mercantile and shipping interests, etc. The population in 1910 was 512.