Elyria is a census-designated place (CDP) in McPherson County, Kansas, United States.

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans.

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles.

In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1867, McPherson County was established within the Kansas Territory, which included the land for modern day Elyria.