El Dorado was platted by B. Frank Gordy and his associates in March 1868, but the community continued as a settlement until 1870 when 51 petitioners, headed by D. M. Bronson, asked that the town be incorporated as a village. The Butler County probate court granted a 140-acre tract of land and the first trustees were J.C. Lambdin, A.D. Knowlton, T.B. Murdock, T.B. Boswell, and C.M. Foulks. Shortly after Gordy filed his claim, Gordy sold 1/5 interest each to Henry Martin, Samuel Langdon, and Bryon O. Carr. The lots were then laid out and sold. Humble homes were erected quickly and the town soon flourished. The citizens took pride in their property, and the area was known for the numerous shade trees along the streets. It was mentioned that “El Dorado is one of the neatest towns in the state”. In 1871, D.M. Bronson headed and presented a petition for incorporation, and on September 12, 1871, El Dorado was changed from a village to be incorporated as a city of the third class.
El Dorado was first incorporated as El Dorado Town Company on February 6, 1858, under an act by the Governor and Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Kansas.
Eldorado Town Company held an election for city officers. After its second incorporation on February 25, 1868, under an act of the State of Kansas, the act was revised and amended to recognize Eldorado as a city of the third class on March 2, 1871.
However, due to the failure of the election for officers, the election was officially held on September 12, 1871, and this has become the date now recognized as El Dorado’s incorporation.
