Allen County Jail

Iola, Kansas, was founded in 1859 and soon after a two-story stone building was built on the southwest corner of Jefferson and Madison streets. Davis Parsons, one of the first town settlers, built this building, which was to serve as a rallying point and defense headquarters in the event the town was threatened by Bushwhackers or Indians. The area's Indians proved reasonably peaceful and no Bushwhackers threatened the area. The stone building was not truly fortified until the Civil War began.The building was transformed into a blockhouse when the War began and the threats of attacks by Confederate guerrillas grew. The entire block on which the fort stood was fortified. A trench lined with an earthen embankment was constructed on the perimeter of the block. The fort served as a recruiting station and the Army kept troops in Iola through most of the Civil War. These troops used the blockhouse for their barracks. At times up to 400 men were stationed in Iola. While nearby Humboldt, Kansas, was raided twice in fall 1861, Iola was never attacked by Confederates.After the War's end, the earthworks were leveled to make way for new building lots. The fort itself was used as a hotel for many years. In 1880 the building was demolished to make way for a new building. The outlines of the earthworks were still visible then. In 1907 a new bank building in turn was erected on the fort site and in 1931 a plaque commemorating the old fort was placed on the side of the bank.

Iola High School is a fully accredited high school located in Iola, Kansas, United States, serving students in grades 9–12. The current principal is Scott Carson. The mascot is Marv the Mustang. The school colors are blue and gold.

The Allen County Courthouse, located at 1 North Washington Avenue in Iola, is the seat of government of Allen County, Kansas. Iola has been the county seat since 1865. The courthouse was built from 1957 to 1958 by contractors Dondlinger & Sons Construction Company, Inc. of Iola at a total cost of $656,364. Architect Brink and Dunwoody designed the courthouse in the Modern style. The courthouse is one story and faces west. It is constructed of red-colored brick and light-colored concrete. It is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of the city. The old courthouse clock (constructed in 1904) is situated on the courthouse lawn. The first courthouse was purchased in 1866 and located in Iola; prior courthouses were located in Cofachique and Humboldt. The current courthouse is the fifth structure used as a courthouse.

The Northrup House in Iola, Kansas is a historic Queen Anne-style house built in about 1895. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.It was originally built as a one-and-a-half-story Queen Anne cottage in 1895 and has been added onto since then. It is now a two-and-one-half-story frame building upon a rusticated limestone and concrete block foundation.A second contributing building is included in the listing: a single-story, gable-roofed concrete block garage.

Iola () is the county seat of Allen County, Kansas, United States. The city is situated along the Neosho River in southeast Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 5,396. It is named in honor of Iola Colborn.

Cofachique (pronounced ko-fa-chee) is a ghost town situated along the Neosho River near the present-day city of Iola in Allen County, Kansas, United States. Being the first town established in Allen County in 1855, it was the original county seat. However, within five years the greater part of the town was moved to the new town of Iola, while the old site of Cofachique became farm land. The town was named in honor of an Osage chief known as Cofachique, who is said to have been particularly helpful to early settlers, bringing aid to the distressed and homeless. The name "Cofachique" appears to have origins with the Cofachiqui (or Cofitachiqui) tribe in South Carolina, who were Siouan speakers, and the Osage who settled this area were closely affiliated with the Siouan.

Allen Community College is a public community college with two campuses in Kansas, a main campus in Iola and another campus in Burlingame. Allen offers both online and in-person courses for incoming students. Allen is also approved through the Kansas Board of Regents to offer degrees and certificates.

Iola Township is one of twelve townships in Allen County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 830.

Deer Creek is a stream in Allen County, Kansas and Anderson County, Kansas, in the United States. It is a tributary of the Neosho River. Deer Creek was named from an abundance of deer along its banks.

Gas is a city in Allen County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 475. The city was named for the abundant natural gas that was found in the area.

Carlyle is an unincorporated community in Allen County, Kansas, United States.

Carlyle Township is one of twelve townships in Allen County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 285.