[2] The county was named for Caleb Pratt, a U.S. soldier who died in the Battle of Wilson's Creek during the American Civil War and had previously been involved in Bleeding Kansas.

However, since there were no genuine settlers in Pratt County at the time, this organization required the submission of false statements to the governor.

The county saw significant settlement in 1877, primarily from Iowa, and further in 1878 from all sections of the United States, keeping land office officials busy with pre-emption claims.

Despite a prosperous period for crops in 1879 and 1880, many settlers departed in subsequent years, while others arrived in large numbers, especially in 1882.

During the county's early years, owing to the scarcity of lumber, many constructed sod houses or dugouts.

[4] The special election of September 2, 1879, focused on the choice of a county seat, was disputed due to irregularities.

In the lead-up to that election, a proponent of Saratoga named W. F. Gibbons made a deal with W. H. Weidner from Medicine Lodge, agreeing to pay him $40 to bring about fifteen cowboys into Pratt County thirty days before the election to vote for Saratoga.

Weidner located the cowboys and provided Gibbons with a list of names as agreed, receiving $25 as part payment.

However, due to a contract dispute, all the cowboys left Pratt County before the election, causing Saratoga to lose their intended votes.

[6] This main line connected Herington, Ramona, Tampa, Durham, Waldeck, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Groveland, Inman, Medora, Hutchinson, Whiteside, Partridge, Arlington, Langdon, Turon, Preston, Natrona, Pratt.