Lebo, KS

In 2020, Lebo had 885 residents, set among the rolling ridges, prairie, farmland, and wooded valleys of the Osage Cuestas. Its story begins with the railroad: David L. Jones bought land near a planned depot on April 17, 1883, then laid out the town with William M. Barr. The first train arrived on February 11, 1884, and Lebo incorporated two years later. Agriculture, livestock, coal mining, and rail traffic all helped the young town grow. Even the name carries a little local uncertainty; early references called the place Davetown or Jonestown, while a widely repeated version ties Lebo to Josiah Leabo and nearby Leabo Creek.

Today, Lebo’s attractions spread through the surrounding Coffey County landscape. Lebo Lake, Coffey County Lake, John Redmond Reservoir, and Melvern Reservoir bring water and open horizons to a mostly rural setting, while Beto Junction and historic Arvonia add nearby history to a drive through the area. School life centers on Lebo–Waverly USD 243, with Lebo High School and Lebo Grade School in town. The old depot, Main Street, and remaining early homes keep the railroad-era outline visible.