Highland, one of the important towns of Doniphan county, is located in Iowa township 14 miles north of Troy, the county seat, and is the terminus of a branch of the St. Joseph & Grand Island R. R. It is the seat of Highland University (q. v.), founded in the early days by the Presbyterian church. It is an incorporated city with 2 banks, a weekly newspaper (the Vidette), telegraph and express offices and a money order postoffice. The population in 1910 was 825.

The site of Highland was first occupied by missionaries in 1837. In 1855 J. P. Johnson took a claim at this point and drove stakes to locate a town. A year later he was joined in the enterprise by Gen. John Bayless. In 1857 the town company was organized and the site laid out in blocks. The first buildings were erected by the town company. In the spring of 1858 Campbell & Bonesteel erected two buildings. The postoffice was established that year with F. M. Hubbard as postmaster. The first store was opened by Devine & Stevenson, the first drug store by Dr. J. Leigh, and Dr. Palmer was the first physician. The city records begin with the year 1871, when Fred J. Close was elected mayor and J. S. Martin city clerk. A destructive fire occurred in Feb., 1887. Six buildings were destroyed and the town was only saved by a sudden change of the wind.

In May, 1863, two Missonrians—Melvin and Shannon by name—stole a span of mules from Thomas Martin near Iowa Point and a set of harness from John Beeler near Highland. They were persued by a party of Highland men, overtaken and wounded near Kennekuk in Brown county. The property was taken from them and they were later caught and brought to Highland. After a speedy trial they were hung in a brutal manner in the presence of a large crowd.