In the 1880s accessibility to water for travelers was rare. So when S.S. Rogers homesteaded in the area and dug a well, he always let visitors use it. After they had watered their livestock and restocked their water supply, they asked Rogers how much they owed. When he told them it was free, they responded, "That's mighty liberal of you." The area, a few miles off the Santa Fe Trail, became known as the Liberal Well. Rogers soon added a dry goods store and in 1886 a post office, and the small community became known as Liberal. See a historical marker about Rogers and his liberal well at the west end of North Blue Bonnet Park, 7th and Western.