History of Area Codes in Kansas
Despite a relatively small population, Kansas was scheduled to receive two area codes under the original North American Numbering Plan proposal from the Bell Telephone Company in 1946. Under the original plan, area codes were to be assigned sequentially based on geography; Kansas initially received area codes 617 and 618.(1)
In October 1947, the final plan was adopted; Kansas' two area codes had been radically altered from the original plan. Southern Kansas (Dodge City, Emporia, Garden City, Wichita) received 316, while the northern half (Kansas City, Topeka, Lawrence, Salina, Hays) got 913. Long-distance calls using area codes would not be implemented until late 1951.
Although Kansas has historically been known for rivalries between its western and eastern halves, a north-south split was deemed necessary because its three major metropolitan areas (Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita) are in eastern or central Kansas.
Read more about this topic: Area Code 316
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