Howard was founded in 1870, and it was incorporated as a city in 1877. Howard was named after Oliver O. Howard, a Union Army general during the Civil War and founder of Howard University. The first post office in Howard was established in February, 1870. Howard is located at 37°28′7″N 96°15′47″W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.70 square miles all of it land.