In 1858, Baker University was founded, but it wasn’t in a city. Baker was just put in a 640 acre spot between Palmyra and Prairie City. In 1862, Baker University decided to name the town site Baldwin City.

The town was named after a man named John Baldwin. Baldwin was very interested in education for all. On May 22, 1862, Baldwin City became Baldwin City.

It remained Baldwin City until April 14, 1887. Nearly 25 years later, the city changed to just Baldwin. It stayed Baldwin for another 25 years, 4 months and 2 days. On Aug. 16, 1912, Baldwin made the switch back to Baldwin City.

According to postmaster recorders, the same man, William C. Markham was postmaster from Jan. 16, 1902, through Jan. 21, 1915. He went through the Baldwin back to Baldwin City change. He was the longest postmaster until A. Lenora Williams stole the record with 16 years of service.

Since the change back to Baldwin City, it has never changed again.

Well, let’s get to the bottom of this. Baldwin High School is in Baldwin City. If it’s in Baldwin City, shouldn’t it be Baldwin City High School? Or if it’s Baldwin High School, why isn’t Baldwin City just called Baldwin?

There you have it in case you ever wondered what the real story is.