Located near Swan Creek in Saline County, Swan City was once the first town and county seat, briefly holding significance for a handful of years.
The initial settlement, featuring buildings such as a store and a mill, was established around 1865, when William Remington’s land was chosen. The Saline County Commissioners convened on February 17, 1866, and Swan City was officially laid out on October 8, 1866.
At its peak, Swan City had a population of approximately 200 residents and boasted various businesses, including a hotel. In 1871, the county seat was relocated from Swan City to Pleasant Hill. During the same year, the railroad was routed through the Blue River Valley, just two and a half miles from Swan City. This shift prompted the community to either relocate to DeWitt or Wilber within two years.
The last remnants of Swan City were its flour mill, which continued operations until it burned down in 1891. After that, Swan City faded into history.