 Even with the mill gone and the Santa Fe Trail growing into disuse after 1870, the town continued to grow, with the local Post Office serving the residents of both Hickman Mills and what became the town of Grandview, 4 miles south.Rail service arrived a few years later, connecting the town directly to Kansas City.The area surrounding Hickman Mills suffered greatly during the Civil War; Jayhawkers looted and pillaged while guerrillas led by men such as William Quantrill frequented the town and fought the Jayhawkers as well as against Federal troops.