Atchison was founded in 1854 .
Atchison was named in honor of Missouri senator David Rice Atchison , who , when Kansas was opened for settlement , interested some of his friends in the scheme of forming a city in the new territory .
Atchison was founded in 1854 and named in honor of Missouri senator David Rice Atchison , who , when Kansas was opened for settlement , interested some of his friends in the scheme of forming a city in the new territory .