Wakefield, an incorporated city of the third class in Clay county; is located in Republican township on the river of that name and the Union Pacific R. R., 14 miles south of Clay Center, the county seat. It has a bank, 2 grain elevators, a flour mill, a weekly newspaper (the Pointer), a number of retail establishments, telegraph and express offices, and an international money order postoffice with five rural routes. The population in 1910 was 514. It is the receiving and shipping point for a large agricultural area, and a large amount of grain, produce and live stock is marketed yearly from Wakefield. The town was founded in 1869 by the Kansas Land and Emigration company and named for Richard Wake, a leading member of the company. The first house was built by J. S. Dodson. A. Maitland was the first postmaster, and the first store was opened by B. Budden. The railroad was completed past this point in 1873.