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Muscotah, Kansas

Muscotah is a city in Atchison County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 155. Muscotah was named after the Kickapoo Native American word for "prairie".

History
Muscotah was platted in 1857. The original location of the town was about two and a half miles northeast of the current location of the town. Soon after the town was founded in its original location, it was determined that the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad line would pass just to the south, so a new town was built on the railroad line near the Delaware River.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.34 sqmi, all of it land.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 155 people, 58 households, and 40 families in Muscotah. The population density was 465.5 per square mile (179.7/km$2$). There were 72 housing units at an average density of 216.2 per square mile (83.5/km$2$). The racial makeup was 92.26% (143) white or European American (92.26% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.65% (1) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 3.23% (5) from other races, and 3.87% (6) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 1.94% (3) of the population.

Of the 58 households, 36.2% had children under the age of 18; 51.7% were married couples living together; 19.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 25.9% of households consisted of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.0 and the average family size was 2.7. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 6.5% of the population.

28.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 2.6% from 18 to 24, 12.3% from 25 to 44, 37.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 74.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 73.4 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $51,250 (with a margin of error of +/- $32,412) and the median family income was $68,500 (+/- $6,702). Males had a median income of $32,750 (+/- $7,905) versus $28,056 (+/- $2,704) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,694 (+/- $2,639). Approximately, 6.5% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.0% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 176 people, 69 households, and 46 families residing in the city. The population density was 517.6 PD/sqmi. There were 90 housing units at an average density of 264.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.4% White and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population.

There were 69 households, of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.3% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 36.3 years. 26.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.4% were from 25 to 44; 23.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.3% male and 47.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 200 people, 81 households, and 58 families residing in the city. The population density was 596.4 PD/sqmi. There were 90 housing units at an average density of 268.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.00% White, 2.00% Native American, and 2.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 81 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,833, and the median income for a family was $31,875. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,299. About 7.3% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 18.9% of those 65 or over.

Government
The Muscotah government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7PM.
 * City Hall, 604 Kansas Ave.

Education
Muscotah Schools operated for over 130 years. The final class of Muscotah High School graduated in 1939. It was reduced to 8th grade, then later to 6th grade. The Muscotah Grade School closed in 1990. The school mascot was the Mustangs and the colors were red and white. Muscotah students currently attend Atchison County USD 377 public schools in the city of Effingham.

Notable people

 * E.K. Gaylord (1873-1974), longtime owner of The Daily Oklahoman newspaper; born on a farm near Muscotah.
 * Joe Tinker (1880-1948), Major League Baseball player for the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. Playing shortstop for the Cubs, Tinker was part of the famous trio, "Tinker to Evers to Chance." He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. A monument in the Muscotah city park honors Tinker.

title: Muscotah, Kansas


text:
Hardtner, Kansas

Hardtner is a city in Barber County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 167. It is located 1 mile north of the Kansas / Oklahoma state border.

History
Hardtner was founded in 1887. It was named for Dr. John Hardtner, a landowner.

The first post office in Hardtner was established in July 1887.

By 1908 the townspeople had realized that they would need a railroad line to the outside world in order to survive. The town's founder Jacob Achenbach, helped set up a company to build a line east to Kiowa. The line would have to cross the Santa Fe's tracks to link with the Missouri Pacific, the planned connection for Hardtner's line. The Santa Fe's Superintendent was not about to stand for that, so he had his private car block the spot where the lines would cross. A local got word to him that the Hardtner people had about 45 cowboys ready to "riddle his car with bullets" The Superintendent moved his car, and the line was completed.

On June 2, 1929, a tornado struck Hardtner, causing minor damage. The tornado was notable since it moved very slowly, yielding some of the highest quality photographs of a tornado to that date.

Hardtner is also known for its yearly Independence Day celebrations. This event attracts people from all around the Kansas/Oklahoma state-line area. Yearly events include a themed parade, medallion hunt, pit beef sandwiches, and a fireworks show.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.30 sqmi, all of it land.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hardtner has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 167 people, 79 households, and 51 families in Hardtner. The population density was 607.3 per square mile (234.5/km$2$). There were 101 housing units at an average density of 367.3 per square mile (141.8/km$2$). The racial makeup was 91.02% (152) white or European American (91.02% non-Hispanic white), 0.6% (1) black or African-American, 0.0% (0) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.6% (1) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.8% (3) from other races, and 5.99% (10) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.4% (4) of the population.

Of the 79 households, 25.3% had children under the age of 18; 49.4% were married couples living together; 13.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 26.6% of households consisted of individuals and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.2. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 13.2% of the population.

19.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 84.9 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $41,406 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,512) and the median family income was $58,750 (+/- $15,095). Males had a median income of $38,281 (+/- $7,734) versus $28,750 (+/- $7,260) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $33,750 (+/- $6,955). Approximately, 11.3% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under the age of 18 and 4.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 172 people, 85 households, and 44 families residing in the city. The population density was 573.3 PD/sqmi. There were 123 housing units at an average density of 410.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.6% Native American, 0.6% Asian, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 85 households, of which 17.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.2% were non-families. 43.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 51 years. 19.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 1.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.2% were from 25 to 44; 36.7% were from 45 to 64; and 23.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.3% male and 47.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 199 people, 95 households, and 64 families residing in the city. The population density was 666.9 PD/sqmi. There were 126 housing units at an average density of 422.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.49% White, 1.01% Native American, and 0.50% from two or more races.

There were 95 households, out of which 18.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 2.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.55.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 16.1% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 31.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $34,038. Males had a median income of $27,083 versus $19,583 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,390. About 7.8% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

Education
Hardtner is served by South Barber USD 255 public school district.

Hardtner High School was closed through school unification. The Hardtner High School mascot was Tornadoes.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Hardtner, Kansas


text:
Hazelton, Kansas

Hazelton is a city in Barber County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 82.

History
Hazelton was founded in 1883. It was named for its founder, Rev. J. Hazelton, a pioneer settler.

The first post office in Hazelton was established in October 1883.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.57 sqmi, all of it land.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 82 people, 48 households, and 36 families in Hazelton. The population density was 138.3 per square mile (53.4/km$2$). There were 53 housing units at an average density of 89.4 per square mile (34.5/km$2$). The racial makeup was 96.34% (79) white or European American (96.34% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.0% (0) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.22% (1) from other races, and 2.44% (2) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.44% (2) of the population.

Of the 48 households, 33.3% had children under the age of 18; 43.8% were married couples living together; 16.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 25.0% of households consisted of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.3. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 3.7% of the population.

20.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 13.4% from 25 to 44, 36.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 70.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 75.7 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median family income was $63,750 (+/- $28,902). Approximately, 17.6% of families and 60.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 91.2% of those under the age of 18 and 55.6% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 93 people, 45 households and 32 families residing in the city. The population density was 163.2 PD/sqmi. There were 58 housing units at an average density of 101.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% White, 1.1% African American, 1.1% Native American, 3.2% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.7% of the population.

There were 45 households, of which 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.2% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.9% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.47.

The median age was 49.9 years. 16.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.2% were from 25 to 44; 35.5% were from 45 to 64; and 22.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup was 57.0% male and 43.0% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 144 people, 55 households and 40 families residing in the city. The population density was 253.4 PD/sqmi. There were 67 housing units at an average density of 117.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 86.81% White, 2.08% African American, 3.47% Native American, 5.56% from other races, and 2.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.25% of the population.

There were 55 households, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.3% were married couples living together, 1.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.

28.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.1 males.

The median household income was $28,125 and the median family income was $33,750. Males had a median income of $21,667 and females $22,500. The per capita income was $12,745. There were 5.4% of families and 16.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including 32.6% of under eighteens and 15.4% of those over 64.

Education
Hazelton is served by Unified School District 255 South Barber.

Hazelton High School was closed through school unification. The Hazelton High School mascot was Panthers.

title: Hazelton, Kansas


text:
Isabel, Kansas

Isabel is a city in Barber County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 68.

History
Isabel was founded in 1887. Isabel was named for the daughter of a surveyor.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.25 sqmi, all of it land.

Isabel is located on the north county line, on the Mulvane extension of the Santa Fe, in Valley township.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 68 people, 23 households, and 17 families in Isabel. The population density was 272.0 per square mile (105.0/km$2$). There were 38 housing units at an average density of 152.0 per square mile (58.7/km$2$). The racial makeup was 91.18% (62) white or European American (91.18% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.0% (0) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.94% (2) from other races, and 5.88% (4) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 1.47% (1) of the population.

Of the 23 households, 26.1% had children under the age of 18; 65.2% were married couples living together; 26.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 26.1% of households consisted of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.0 and the average family size was 2.8. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 1.5% of the population.

23.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 19.1% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 29.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 142.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 116.7 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $51,513 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,024) and the median family income was $66,250 (+/- $37,352). Males had a median income of $51,324 (+/- $6,738) versus $28,000 (+/- $24,938) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $50,000 (+/- $25,738). Approximately, 12.1% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under the age of 18 and 8.3% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 90 people in 40 households, including 23 families, in the city. The population density was 360.0 PD/sqmi. There were 47 housing units at an average density of 188.0 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 96.7% White, 2.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.4%.

Of the 40 households 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 37.5% of households were one person and 7.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age was 37.5 years. 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 32.3% were from 25 to 44; 22.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17.8% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 42.2% male and 57.8% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 108 people in 46 households, including 31 families, in the city. The population density was 429.9 PD/sqmi. There were 53 housing units at an average density of 211.0 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 93.52% White, 1.85% African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.93% from other races, and 2.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.93%.

Of the 46 households 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.4% were married couples living together, and 32.6% were non-families. 30.4% of households were one person and 21.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 22.2% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 19.4% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% 65 or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.

The median household income was $23,125 and the median family income was $27,917. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $19,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,795. There were 18.5% of families and 17.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 36.4% of under eighteens and 6.9% of those over 64.

title: Isabel, Kansas


text:
Kiowa, Kansas

Kiowa is a city in Barber County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 902. It is located 1 mile north of the Kansas / Oklahoma state border.

19th century
Kiowa was founded in 1872. It was named for the Kiowa people.

20th century
On June 7, 1900, anti-saloon advocate Carrie Nation vandalized her first saloon in Kiowa.

In 1905, the Denver, Enid and Gulf Railroad was built from Enid, Oklahoma to Kiowa. In 1907, it was sold to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. In 1996, the line from Kiowa to Blanton, Oklahoma was abandoned.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.07 sqmi, all of it land.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 902 people, 404 households, and 230 families in Kiowa. The population density was 814.1 per square mile (314.3/km$2$). There were 552 housing units at an average density of 498.2 per square mile (192.4/km$2$). The racial makeup was 90.8% (819) white or European American (90.02% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.44% (4) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.44% (4) Asian, 0.44% (4) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.88% (17) from other races, and 5.99% (54) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.33% (30) of the population.

Of the 404 households, 23.3% had children under the age of 18; 43.1% were married couples living together; 27.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 37.6% of households consisted of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.5. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 16.7% of the population.

22.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 26.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 103.2 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $51,667 (with a margin of error of +/- $11,439) and the median family income was $65,042 (+/- $7,840). Males had a median income of $30,938 (+/- $10,887) versus $14,441 (+/- $5,956) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $24,571 (+/- $1,954). Approximately, 6.8% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,026 people, 466 households, and 273 families living in the city. The population density was 958.9 PD/sqmi. There were 578 housing units at an average density of 540.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% White, 0.2% African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1% of the population.

There were 466 households, of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.4% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.79.

The median age in the city was 46.9 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.5% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 23.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,055 people, 467 households, and 292 families living in the city. The population density was 995.3 PD/sqmi. There were 569 housing units at an average density of 536.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.83% White, 0.28% African American, 1.23% Native American, 1.71% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.27% of the population.

There were 467 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,141, and the median income for a family was $41,806. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $21,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,670. About 9.7% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The community is served by South Barber USD 255 public school district.

The Kiowa Chieftains won the Kansas State High School class B Track & Field championship in 1940.

Media
Kiowa is served by a weekly newspaper, The Kiowa News.

Infrastructure
K-2 and K-8 highways, and the Southern Transcon main line of BNSF Railway pass through Kiowa.

Notable people

 * Marcellus Boss, the 5th Civilian Governor of Guam; former Kiowa city attorney.
 * Charles E. Brown, Jr., Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Army.
 * Bill Tidwell, four-time NAIA middle distance champion at Kansas State Teachers College (ESU), then coach and athletic director
 * James Wilson, former Colorado State Representative

title: Kiowa, Kansas


text:
Medicine Lodge, Kansas

Medicine Lodge is a city in and the county seat of Barber County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,781.

19th century
The particular medicine lodge, mystery house or sacred tabernacle from which the Medicine Lodge River received its name was in reality an arbor-like shelter of tree trunks and leafy branches which was erected by the Kiowa people for the celebration of their annual sun dance in the summer of 1866. It was in the valley of the Medicine Lodge River, several miles below the present town of Medicine Lodge, which is at the mouth of Elm Creek. In their own language, the Kiowa people called this stream A-ya-dalda P’a, meaning "Timber-hill River." The Kiowa had considered the site sacred due to the high content of Epsom salts in the river.

In October 1867, the Medicine Lodge Treaty was a set of three treaties signed between the United States of America and the Kiowa, Comanche, Plains Apache, Southern Cheyenne, and Southern Arapaho. The site of the Peace Council camp was about three miles above that of the future town and on the same side of the river. A Peace Treaty Pageant, first presented in 1927 in an outdoor amphitheater on a quarter section of Kansas prairie, commemorates this significant event in Western history.

Settlers led by a man named John Hutchinson founded the town of Medicine Lodge north of the confluence of Elm Creek and the Medicine Lodge River in February 1873. The community grew rapidly with a hotel, stores, and a post office established within a year.

In 1874, in response to Native raids in the region, residents and the state militia constructed a stockade. A group of Osage killed three settlers within a few miles of the compound, but no direct attack on the fortifications occurred. Medicine Lodge was incorporated as a city in 1879.

Temperance activist Carrie Nation launched her crusade against the sale of alcohol while living in Medicine Lodge in 1900. Her home and a reproduction of the 1873 stockade are open to the public.

Geography
Medicine Lodge is located in south-central Kansas in the Red Hills region of the Great Plains. The city sits immediately north of the confluence of the Medicine Lodge River and Elm Creek. The city is on the northeast side of the river. Elm Creek flows south around the eastern and southern sides of the city. A tributary of Elm Creek, which flows south through Medicine Lodge, has been dammed immediately north of the city to form a reservoir, Barber County State Lake.

The city is located at the junction of U.S. Routes 160 and 281.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.21 sqmi, all of it land.

Climate
Medicine Lodge has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The hottest temperature recorded in Medicine Lodge was 118 F on August 12, 1936, while the coldest temperature recorded was -22 F on February 13, 1905.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 1,781 people, 806 households, and 459 families in Medicine Lodge. The population density was 1,486.6 per square mile (574.0/km$2$). There were 997 housing units at an average density of 832.2 per square mile (321.3/km$2$). The racial makeup was 89.67% (1,597) white or European American (87.82% non-Hispanic white), 0.34% (6) black or African-American, 1.52% (27) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.45% (8) Asian, 0.06% (1) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 3.03% (54) from other races, and 4.94% (88) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 5.73% (102) of the population.

Of the 806 households, 26.3% had children under the age of 18; 43.2% were married couples living together; 28.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 40.1% of households consisted of individuals and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.6. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 12.6% of the population.

24.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 106.3 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $48,052 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,097) and the median family income was $70,441 (+/- $15,748). Males had a median income of $42,644 (+/- $9,795) versus $24,038 (+/- $7,191) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,637 (+/- $3,653). Approximately, 13.7% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.8% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,009 people, 876 households, and 530 families residing in the city. The population density was 1660.3 PD/sqmi. There were 1,031 housing units at an average density of 852.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 876 households, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.5% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 40 years. 25.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 27.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,193 people, 922 households, and 609 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,823.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,085 housing units at an average density of 902.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.08% White, 0.36% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.69% of the population.

There were 922 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,262, and the median income for a family was $41,053. Males had a median income of $30,319 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,231. About 7.4% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

 * National Gypsum

Government
Medicine Lodge has a mayor-council form of government. The city council consists of five members, who are elected on a rotating schedule. The day-to-day operations of city government are managed by a City Administrator who operates under the supervision of the elected officials. The current City Administrator is Brian Daily who started in November 2022.

Education
Barber County North USD 254 provides public primary and secondary education with two schools in Medicine Lodge: Medicine Lodge Grade School (Grades Pre-K-6) and Medicine Lodge Junior-Senior High School (7-12).

Transportation
U.S. Route 281, which runs north-south, and U.S. Route 160, which runs east-west, intersect in the southwest corner of the city.

Medicine Lodge Airport, which hosts general aviation, is located approximately 1.5 mi southeast of the city.

Medicine Lodge is the western terminus of the Medicine Lodge line of the V&S Railway. The rail line runs northwest-southeast through the southwestern part of the city.

Print
Newspapers
 * The Gyp Hill Premiere, weekly

Radio
The following radio stations are licensed to Medicine Lodge:

FM

Culture
Triennially, Medicine Lodge holds a pageant to commemorate the 1867 Medicine Lodge Treaty, signed near the city's present-day location. The city first held the pageant in 1927 and has held it every three years since 1961.

Area attractions

 * Carrie Nation House
 * Stockade House.
 * Peace Treaty Statue, located on North Main Street.
 * Wisner Fountain, originally used to water horses on North Main Street.
 * Kansas Historical Marker - Medicine Lodge Peace Treaties, located 1 mile east of Medicine Lodge.

Notable people

 * Carleton Beals (1893–1979), journalist, author, historian, political activist
 * B. H. Born (1932–2013), All American basketball player
 * Dorothy DeLay (1917–2002), violin instructor at Juilliard, Sarah Lawrence College, University of Cincinnati.
 * Edward Hunkeler (1894–1970), Roman Catholic Archbishop
 * Chester Long (1860–1934), U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Kansas
 * Carrie Nation (1846–1911), radical member of the temperance movement
 * Jerry Simpson (1842–1905), U.S. Representative from Kansas
 * Jasper Tincher (1878–1951), U.S. Representative from Kansas

title: Medicine Lodge, Kansas


text:
Sharon, Kansas

Sharon is a city in Barber County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 147.

History
Sharon was founded in 1883. Sharon is a Hebrew name meaning "plain".

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.29 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 158 people, 77 households, and 48 families residing in the city. The population density was 544.8 PD/sqmi. There were 98 housing units at an average density of 337.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.5% White, 0.6% African American, 3.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, and 5.1% from two or more races.

There were 77 households, of which 19.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.7% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.63.

The median age in the city was 49.8 years. 16.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.4% were from 25 to 44; 34.2% were from 45 to 64; and 24.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.3% male and 48.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 210 people, 91 households, and 54 families residing in the city. The population density was 713.4 PD/sqmi. There were 100 housing units at an average density of 339.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.24% White, 2.38% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.

There were 91 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,188, and the median income for a family was $43,056. Males had a median income of $30,500 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,759. None of the families and 4.0% of the population were living below the poverty line, including none under 18 and 5.6% of those over 64.

Education
The community is served by Barber County North USD 254 public school district..

Sharon schools were closed through school unification. The Sharon Cardinals won the Kansas State High School boys class B basketball championship in 1935 and the 8-Man football championship in 1977.

Notable people

 * Orville Brown (1908–1981), professional wrestler, thirteen-time world champion, recognized as the first NWA World Heavyweight Champion in 1948
 * Martina McBride (1966), country music singer, songwriter, record producer

title: Sharon, Kansas


text:
Sun City, Kansas

Sun City is a city in Barber County, Kansas, United States, along the Medicine Lodge River. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 37.

History
Sun City was founded in 1872. The first post office in Sun City was established in August 1873.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.14 sqmi, all of it land.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Sun City has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 53 people, 23 households, and 16 families residing in the city. The population density was 378.6 PD/sqmi. There were 48 housing units at an average density of 342.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White.

There were 23 households, of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.2% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.4% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.75.

The median age in the city was 48.5 years. 17% of residents were under the age of 18; 15.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 9.5% were from 25 to 44; 39.6% were from 45 to 64; and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.9% male and 49.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 81 people, 33 households, and 22 families residing in the city. The population density was 538.8 PD/sqmi. There were 50 housing units at an average density of 332.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.53% White, 2.47% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.47% of the population.

There were 33 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,625, and the median income for a family was $37,083. Males had a median income of $29,063 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,059. There were 26.3% of families and 28.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including 63.6% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

External list

 * Sun City - Directory of Public Officials
 * USD 254, local school district
 * Sun City History from Barber County, Kansas: History and Genealogy.
 * "Work Of The Storm Fiend: Sun City Swept by a Cyclone." "Medicine Lodge Cresset", April 26, 1883.
 * "Shooting Affray At Sun City" "The Medicine Lodge Cresset", November 19, 1880.
 * Sun City map, KDOT

title: Sun City, Kansas


text:
Albert, Kansas

Albert is a city in Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 132.

History
Albert was founded in about the early 1880s. It was named for Albert Kraisinger, a storekeeper. Albert was a station on the Great Bend and Scott division of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.24 sqmi, all of it land.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 132 people, 64 households, and 42 families in Albert. The population density was 561.7 per square mile (216.9/km$2$). There were 74 housing units at an average density of 314.9 per square mile (121.6/km$2$). The racial makeup was 93.94% (124) white or European American (92.42% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.76% (1) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.0% (0) from other races, and 5.3% (7) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 5.3% (7) of the population.

Of the 64 households, 20.3% had children under the age of 18; 56.2% were married couples living together; 23.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.8% of households consisted of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 2.9. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 12.9% of the population.

12.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 33.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 107.1 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $38,750 (with a margin of error of +/- $10,354) and the median family income was $52,500 (+/- $32,631). Approximately, 11.1% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under the age of 18 and 8.7% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 175 people, 77 households, and 58 families living in the city. The population density was 729.2 PD/sqmi. There were 84 housing units at an average density of 350.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 0.6% Native American, 1.7% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population.

There were 77 households, of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.7% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.62.

The median age in the city was 46.8 years. 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.9% were from 25 to 44; 34.2% were from 45 to 64; and 19.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.3% male and 53.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 181 people, 76 households, and 54 families living in the city. The population density was 762.4 PD/sqmi. There were 87 housing units at an average density of 366.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.34% White, 0.55% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.21% of the population.

There were 76 households, out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 19.3% from 25 to 44, 30.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,375, and the median income for a family was $44,792. Males had a median income of $30,250 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,948. About 6.8% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

title: Albert, Kansas


text:
Claflin, Kansas

Claflin is a city in Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 562.

History
Prior to American expansion and occupation, the region was controlled by Cheyenne, Pawnee, and Kiowa tribes. The Santa Fe Trail contributed to American settlement in Barton County, as it did throughout Kansas and much of the southern Great Plains.

The first settlement claim recorded in the area of Claflin was made by George Platt in 1870. This claim was divided and re-entered, eventually being sold to J. H. Williamson in 1875, and becoming the town of Claflin.

The community was officially organized in response to Missouri Pacific Railroad plans for a branch line to come through the area. Tracks were laid by 1887.

The station, on the south side of the tracks, was originally named Giles City after landowner Stelle Giles. Farmer and landowner William Albro Giles, son of Stella Giles, did not sell the 40 acres desired by the town company for building a town on the south side of the tracks. The land for the town was purchased on the north side of the tracks from J. H. Williamson. Judge Oliver Perry Hamilton surveyed the land and named the town Claflin, after his wife, Adelia Maria Claflin. The Claflin Town Company, with Stelle Giles as President, filed the townsite with the Barton County Register of Deeds on March 31, 1887.

The first official resident of Claflin was Robert Leslie Hamilton, who built and operated the S. S. Chatten Lumber Company. Other early residents include: Mel Cummings, railroad agent; George Norris; J. H. Cannon, store owner, banker, undertaker; M. C. Elmore, hardware store owner; Cas Dermitt, cafe owner; A. A. German, elevator operator; Charles Bucker, blacksmith; Charles Vert, publisher of the Claflin Clarion.

The city was incorporated by order of the Barton County Commissioners on July 18, 1901, and the first election was held on August 2, 1901.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.33 sqmi, all of it land.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 562 people, 240 households, and 152 families in Claflin. The population density was 1,667.7 per square mile (643.9/km$2$). There were 280 housing units at an average density of 830.9 per square mile (320.8/km$2$). The racial makeup was 95.2% (535) white or European American (93.59% non-Hispanic white), 0.18% (1) black or African-American, 0.0% (0) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.18% (1) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.71% (4) from other races, and 3.74% (21) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.14% (12) of the population.

Of the 240 households, 27.9% had children under the age of 18; 52.9% were married couples living together; 20.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.5% of households consisted of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 3.1. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 11.0% of the population.

24.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 100.5 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $43,516 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,215) and the median family income was $57,813 (+/- $28,752). Males had a median income of $37,813 (+/- $12,297) versus $26,111 (+/- $9,140) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $31,932 (+/- $11,060). Approximately, 15.2% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.9% of those under the age of 18 and 11.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 645 people, 267 households, and 175 families living in the city. The population density was 1954.5 PD/sqmi. There were 299 housing units at an average density of 906.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.6% of the population.

There were 267 households, of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 42.6 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 18.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 705 people, 280 households, and 189 families living in the city. The population density was 2,120.3 PD/sqmi. There were 316 housing units at an average density of 950.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.43% White, 0.14% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population.

There were 280 households, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,521, and the median income for a family was $35,417. Males had a median income of $29,659 versus $18,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,819. About 2.2% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The community is served by Central Plains USD 112 public school district. The Central Plains High School mascot is the "Oilers" and current principal is Toby Holmes.

Prior to a consolidation, the school and mascot were known as the Claflin High School "Wildcats".

As the Claflin Wildcats, they won the Kansas State High School 8-Man DII football championship in 1991 and 1992 as well as the 2-1A football championship in 1997, 1998 and 1999. The Central Plains Oilers won the Kansas State High School 8-Man DI football championship in 2014, and again in 2018 after an undefeated season, finishing 13–0 with the Kansas State Ranking of #1 for their classification, and a National ranking of #8 in the country.

Notable people

 * Walter Hickel (1919–2010) - Twice governor of Alaska. United States Secretary of the Interior under President Richard Nixon.
 * Jackie Stiles (b1978) - NCAA Division I women's college basketball.

title: Claflin, Kansas


text:
Ellinwood, Kansas

Ellinwood is a city in the southeast corner of Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,011.

19th century
For millennia, the land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans. In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, Barton County was founded.

The first claim at Ellinwood was staked in 1871 when it was certain the Santa Fe railroad would be completed nearby. The railroad was finished in 1872 and the city was named after Colonel John R. Ellinwood, a civil engineer working for the Santa Fe railroad. Although neither the founder nor the original settlers were German, many of the main streets were given German names, in order to appeal to German immigrant buyers.

In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company. In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968. In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.

20th century
In 1973, the rock band Kansas rented the Ellinwood Opera House as a 'tryout show' for New York record executive Wally Gold, using free beer as a marketing tool, and charged a USD $0.25 entry fee to help cover some of their expenses. The story is told in the 2015 documentary Miracles Out of Nowhere.

21st century
In 2018, the annual After Harvest Festival held during the third weekend in July, instituted a ban on coolers at the dance that takes place on the third and final night of the festival.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.14 sqmi, all land. The city is situated along the path of the historic Santa Fe Trail. Ellinwood is also located just north of the Arkansas River, roughly in the area where it makes its "great bend" to the southeast en route to its final destination, the Mississippi River.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ellinwood has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Area attractions

 * Downtown Tunnels

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 2,011 people, 862 households, and 548 families in Ellinwood. The population density was 1,522.3 per square mile (587.8/km$2$). There were 986 housing units at an average density of 746.4 per square mile (288.2/km$2$). The racial makeup was 93.24% (1,875) white or European American (90.45% non-Hispanic white), 0.3% (6) black or African-American, 0.45% (9) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.25% (5) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.24% (25) from other races, and 4.53% (91) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.48% (90) of the population.

Of the 862 households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18; 47.6% were married couples living together; 28.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 33.1% of households consisted of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 16.3% of the population.

24.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 106.9 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $48,322 (with a margin of error of +/- $8,214) and the median family income was $68,822 (+/- $2,351). Males had a median income of $34,776 (+/- $4,847) versus $19,279 (+/- $4,892) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $27,422 (+/- $6,776). Approximately, 5.5% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under the age of 18 and 11.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,131 people, 910 households, and 601 families living in the city. The population density was 1869.3 PD/sqmi. There were 1,042 housing units at an average density of 914.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 910 households, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 43.7 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20% were from 25 to 44; 27.5% were from 45 to 64; and 21.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,164 people, 906 households, and 594 families living in the city. The population density was 1,996.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,034 housing units at an average density of 954.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.90% White, 0.23% African American, 0.83% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.60% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.85% of the population.

There were 906 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,596, and the median income for a family was $42,292. Males had a median income of $29,792 versus $19,194 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,811. About 7.3% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The community is served by Ellinwood USD 355 public school district.

Transportation
U.S. Route 56 runs through the city.

Notable person

 * Wally Hickel (1919–2010), Governor of Alaska and Secretary of the Interior

title: Ellinwood, Kansas


text:
Galatia, Kansas

Galatia is a city in Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 45.

History
Settler David C. Barrows founded the community and laid out the town site in 1885. Originally named Four Corners, settler Henry G. Weber renamed it Galatia after his hometown of Galatia, Illinois. The first building constructed was a United Brethren church. A post office was established at Galatia in 1889. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway extended a rail line to Galatia (from Holyrood 31.20 miles away) on July 1, 1919, and the town grew to include three grain elevators, a bank, a lumberyard, and three general stores. By 1921, the population had grown to 202. After that, however, the population began to decline. The post office closed in 1966.

Geography
Galatia is located in northwestern Barton County in central Kansas, Galatia is 22 mi north-northwest of Great Bend, the county seat, 110 mi northwest of Wichita, and 238 mi west of Kansas City. It is 6 mi west of U.S. Route 281 and 7 mi north of Kansas Highway 4.

Galatia lies roughly 2 mi west of Landon Creek, a tributary of the Smoky Hill River, in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.38 sqmi, all of it land.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 45 people, 21 households, and 11 families in Galatia. The population density was 126.8 per square mile (48.9/km$2$). There were 28 housing units at an average density of 78.9 per square mile (30.5/km$2$). The racial makeup was 91.11% (41) white or European American (86.67% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.0% (0) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.0% (0) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.22% (1) from other races, and 6.67% (3) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 6.67% (3) of the population.

Of the 21 households, 9.5% had children under the age of 18; 47.6% were married couples living together; 19.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 42.9% of households consisted of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.0 and the average family size was 2.2.

13.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 15.6% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 35.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 116.7 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median family income was $80,000 (+/- $62,556).

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 39 people, 20 households, and 12 families residing in the city. The population density was 102.6 PD/sqmi. There were 29 housing units at an average density of 76.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.7% of the population.

There were 20 households, of which 10.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.0% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.58.

The median age in the city was 56.3 years. 12.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 7.8% were from 25 to 44; 43.6% were from 45 to 64; and 28.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 64.1% male and 35.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 61 people, 27 households, and 18 families residing in the city. The population density was 164.4 PD/sqmi. There were 32 housing units at an average density of 86.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 83.61% White and 16.39% Native American.

There were 27 households, out of which 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 125.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $22,188 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,282. There were no families and 6.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Government
Galatia is a city of the third class with a mayor-council form of government. The city council consists of five members, and it meets on the first Tuesday of each month.

Galatia lies within Kansas's 1st U.S. Congressional District. For the purposes of representation in the Kansas Legislature, the city is located in the 33rd district of the Kansas Senate and the 109th district of the Kansas House of Representatives.

Education
The community is served by Hoisington USD 431 public school district, based in nearby Hoisington.

Galatia High School was closed through school unification. The Galatia High School mascot was Bluejays.

Media
Galatia is in the Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market.

Transportation
NW 190 Road, a paved county road, runs east–west through Galatia. Another paved county road, NW 100 Avenue, runs north–south through the community.

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway formerly operated a freight rail line that ran east–west through Galatia, but the line has since been discontinued.

title: Galatia, Kansas


text:
Great Bend, Kansas

Great Bend is a city in and the county seat of Barton County, Kansas, United States. It is named for its location at the point where the course of the Arkansas River bends east then southeast. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 14,733. It is home to Barton Community College.

History
Prior to American settlement of the area, the site of Great Bend was located in the northern reaches of Kiowa territory. Claimed first by France as part of Louisiana and later acquired by the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, it lay within the area organized by the U.S. as Kansas Territory in 1854. Kansas became a state in 1861, and the state government delineated the surrounding area as Barton County in 1867.

The first settlers of the area arrived in 1870. Living in sod houses and dugouts, they worked as buffalo hunters since trampling by bison herds precluded crop farming. In 1871, the Great Bend Town Company, anticipating the westward construction of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, founded Great Bend at a site roughly three miles west of Fort Zarah on the Santa Fe Trail. They named the settlement after its location at the "great bend" in the Arkansas River where the river's course turns eastward. The town began to grow as more settlers arrived over the following year and opened several businesses.

The railroad reached Great Bend in July 1872, and an election at about the same time declared the town the permanent county seat. Great Bend was incorporated as a city soon thereafter. The county courthouse and the city's first public school were built the following year.

In 1873, following the arrival of the railroad, Great Bend became a shipping point for cattle. This stimulated local business but also transformed the city into a rowdy, violent cowtown. In 1876, the Kansas Legislature extended the legal "dead line" restricting the presence of Texas cattle 30 miles west of Barton County. The cattle trade moved westward accordingly, and the city became more peaceful.

Over the following decades, Great Bend continued to grow and modernize, becoming a center of area commerce. This was despite two disasters which struck the city: a downtown fire in 1878 and a smallpox outbreak in 1882 which resulted in a brief quarantine. In 1886, local speculators began to fund exploration for petroleum in the area. By 1930, the oil and gas industry brought more than $20 million annually to the county. More than 3,000 wells produced during the 1930s, and the influx of workers dramatically increased the city's population.

The U.S. Army Air Forces opened Great Bend Army Airfield west of the city in 1943. The base served as training facility for B-29 bomber aircraft personnel during World War II. After the war, the City of Great Bend acquired the base and repurposed it for civilian use as Great Bend Municipal Airport.

The city continued to grow through the 1950s, its population peaking at almost 17,000 in 1960. In 1973, the Fuller Brush Company relocated its production facilities to Great Bend, becoming one of the city's major employers. Despite a modest decline in population in recent decades, Great Bend continues to serve as a commercial center for central Kansas.

Geography
Great Bend is located at the intersection of U.S. Route 281 and U.S. Route 56 highways in Kansas. Driving by highway, it is approximately 116 mi northwest of Wichita and 60 mi southwest of Hays.

Lying in the Great Bend Sand Prairie region of the Great Plains, the city is situated on the north side of the Arkansas River where the river's course shifts from northeast to southeast. Dry Walnut Creek, a tributary of nearby Walnut Creek, flows east along the northern edge of the city. Cheyenne Bottoms, a large inland wetland, is located approximately 6 mi to the northeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.71 sqmi, of which 10.60 sqmi is land and 0.11 sqmi is water.

Climate
Located near the convergence of North America's humid continental (Köppen: Dfa), humid subtropical (Köppen: Cfa), and semi-arid (Köppen: BSk) climate zones, Great Bend experiences hot summers and cold, dry winters. The hottest temperature recorded in Great Bend was 111 F on July 11–13, 1954, June 27, 1980, June 30, 1980, and July 14, 1980, while the coldest temperature recorded was -21 F on December 22, 1989.

The high temperature reaches or exceeds 90 °F an average of 69.7 days a year and reaches or exceeds 100 °F an average of 12 days a year. The minimum temperature falls below the freezing point 32 °F an average of 119.5 days a year.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 14,733 people, 6,136 households, and 3,690 families in Great Bend. The population density was 1,403.4 per square mile (541.9/km$2$). There were 7,081 housing units at an average density of 674.5 per square mile (260.4/km$2$). The racial makeup was 77.34% (11,395) white or European American (70.47% non-Hispanic white), 1.55% (228) black or African-American, 0.64% (95) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.36% (53) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 10.96% (1,615) from other races, and 9.14% (1,346) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 23.5% (3,462) of the population.

Of the 6,136 households, 29.4% had children under the age of 18; 42.3% were married couples living together; 30.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.0% of households consisted of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 14.8% of the population.

24.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 106.9 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $46,659 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,811) and the median family income was $64,453 (+/- $6,131). Males had a median income of $39,595 (+/- $4,131) versus $26,684 (+/- $4,324) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,273 (+/- $2,536). Approximately, 8.0% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under the age of 18 and 10.7% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 15,995 people, 6,483 households, and 4,038 families residing in the city. The population density was 1509.0 PD/sqmi. There were 7,113 housing units at an average density of 671.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 84.0% White, 1.7% African American, 0.6% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 11.0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 19.8% of the population.

There were 6,483 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.7% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 36.7 years. 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

As of 2010, the median income for a household was $42,293, and the median income for a family was $46,969. Males had a median income of $33,623 versus $25,038 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,529. About 10.2% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Agriculture is the predominant industry in Great Bend, and its grain elevators are visible from miles away. The oil industry flourished from about 1930–1960. There was even an oil well in the city park. But this industry has been on the decline for years. Cattle raising is also an important source of income for many people.

As of 2012, 66.5% of the population over the age of 16 were in the labor force. 0.0% were in the armed forces, and 66.5% were in the civilian labor force with 61.0% employed and 5.5% unemployed. The composition, by occupation, of the employed civilian labor force was: 30.2% in management, business, science, and arts; 27.8% in sales and office occupations; 19.2% in service occupations; 9.6% in natural resources, construction, and maintenance; 13.3% in production, transportation, and material moving. The four industries employing the largest percentages of the working civilian labor force were: educational services, health care, and social assistance (27.3%); retail trade (11.9%); manufacturing (9.8%); and arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services (9.8%). Great Bend Public Schools, Barton Community College, and CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions are the city's three largest employers. Other major employers include local government, local hospitals, Wal-Mart, Superior Essex, and Fuller Brush Company.

The cost of living in Great Bend is relatively low; compared to a U.S. average of 100, the cost of living index for the city is 79.4. As of 2012, the median home value in the city was $78,300, the median selected monthly owner cost was $979 for housing units with a mortgage and $400 for those without, and the median gross rent was $539.

Government
Great Bend is a city of the second class with a mayor-council form of government. The city council consists of eight members, two elected from each city ward for two-year terms. The mayor is elected at-large, also for a two-year term. The mayor and city council together constitute the city's Governing Body which sets goals, establishes policies, and approves all ordinances and resolutions. The council meets on the first and third Monday of each month.

As the county seat, Great Bend is the administrative center of Barton County. The county courthouse is located downtown, and most departments of the county government base their operations in the city.

Great Bend lies within Kansas's 1st U.S. Congressional District. For the purposes of representation in the Kansas Legislature, the city is located in the 33rd district of the Kansas Senate and the 112th district of the Kansas House of Representatives.

Colleges
Barton Community College, a two-year public college, is located approximately three miles northeast of Great Bend.

Public schools
Great Bend USD 428 public school district serves approximately 3,000 students and operates eight schools in the city:
 * Great Bend High School (9–12)
 * Great Bend Middle School (7–8)
 * Eisenhower Elementary School (K–6)
 * Jefferson Elementary School (K–6)
 * Lincoln Elementary School (K–6)
 * Park Elementary School (K–6)
 * Riley Elementary School (PreK-6)
 * Helping Hands Preschool (PreK)

Private schools
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dodge City oversees the Holy Family School (PreK–6). There is also one non-denominational Christian school in the city, Central Kansas Christian Academy (K-8).

Transportation
Great Bend was located on the National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, that was established in 1912. Currently, two U.S. Highways and two Kansas state highways pass through the city. U.S. Route 281 runs north–south through Great Bend, intersecting U.S. Route 56, K-96, and K-156 which run concurrently east–west through the city. K-96 splits from U.S. 56 and K-156 in western Great Bend, exiting the city to the northwest. U.S. 56 and K-156 continue concurrently west, then turn south and ultimately southwest.

Great Bend Municipal Airport is located approximately 2 mi west of the city. Used primarily for general aviation.

A Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad line runs east–west through the city with a second line branching off to the northwest, paralleling K-96.

Utilities
The city government's Public Works Department is responsible for water distribution, waste water treatment, and sewer maintenance. One of the few cities in the area not to have a water treatment plant or water tower, Great Bend obtains its water supply directly from ten wells located throughout the city. Waste water is treated and recycled at the city's Wastewater Treatment Facility and then emptied into the Arkansas River. Two regional energy cooperatives, Midwest Energy, Inc. and Wheatland Electric, provide electric power. Local residents primarily use natural gas for heating fuel; Midwest Energy and Kansas Gas Service both provide natural gas service.

Health care
There is one primary medical facility in the city. Great Bend Regional Hospital, a 33-bed general medical and surgical facility, is the city's sole hospital. St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center, formerly Central Kansas Medical Center, was an outpatient care facility affiliated with Catholic Health Initiatives. St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center was closed and demolished in 2015.

Media
The Great Bend Tribune is the city's daily newspaper with a circulation of over 6,200 copies.

The Interrobang was the student newspaper at the Great Bend-based Barton Community College.

Great Bend is a center of broadcast media for central Kansas. Two AM and ten FM radio stations are licensed to and/or broadcast from the city. Two television stations, one NBC affiliate and one ABC affiliate, also broadcast from the city. Both are satellite stations of their respective affiliates in Wichita as Great Bend is part of the Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market.

Parks and recreation
The city government's Park Department maintains 10 parks in the city. The two largest are Brit Spaugh Park and Veteran's Memorial Park. Located in the north-central part of the city, Brit Spaugh Park includes the Great Bend Zoo, the Wetlands Aquatic Center, two softball fields, horseshoe courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, a skateboarding area, and a BMX track. Veteran's Park is located in the northwestern part of the city and includes an 18-hole disc golf course, a fishing lake with limited boating, sand volleyball, ballfields, a playground, and walking trails. The department also maintains hiking and biking trails along flood control levies around the city along with Stone Lake, a 43 acre fishing lake immediately south of the city.

The Club at StoneRidge, located on the northern edge of the city, includes a private, 18-hole golf course that opened in 1940. A second 18-hole course, the Lake Barton Golf Course, lies approximately 5 mi north of the city.

Arts and music
From 1947 to 1989, Great Bend was the home of the Argonne Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps. Under the direction of Glenn and Sandra Opie, the corps achieved national fame, most notably winning the American Legion national championships in 1971, 1972, and 1973. The Rebels were one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International, finishing in 5th place in 1972 and 11th in 1973.

Points of interest

 * The Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village is located in Great Bend.
 * The Great Bend Zoo and Raptor Center, founded in 1952, contains over 60 species of animals.

Sports
Greyhound racing got its start in the United States in the bottoms in 1886 during a formal coursing event.

Great Bend was home to minor league baseball. The Great Bend Millers team was based in Great Bend in 1905 and from 1909 to 1914. The Millers played as members of the Class D level Kansas State League in 1905 and from 1909 to 1911, the Central Kansas League in 1912 and the Kansas State League in 1913 and 1914. Great Bend won three consecutive league championships from 1911 to 1913. In 2016, the Great Bend Boom played as members of the Independent level Pecos League.

The first nationwide NHRA sponsored event called "the Nationals" was held in 1955, in Great Bend, Kansas at the Great Bend Municipal Airport.

Notable people
Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Great Bend include jazz singer and pianist Karrin Allyson (1963– ), co-inventor of the integrated circuit (IC) and 2000 Nobel Prize laureate in physics Jack Kilby (1923–2005), and 1952 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic basketball player John Keller (1928–2000).

title: Great Bend, Kansas


text:
Hoisington, Kansas

Hoisington is a city in Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,699.

History

In 1886, a group of Barton County businessmen formed the Central Kansas Town Company and founded the town of Hoisington to attract the Kansas and Colorado Railroad to the area. They named the settlement after Andrew J. Hoisington, one of the company partners and a prominent businessman in nearby Great Bend. The railroad reached Hoisington in the fall of 1886, and the settlement was incorporated as a city in 1887. The post office, relocated from nearby Buena Vista, was renamed Hoisington in April 1887 as was the railroad station, originally named Monon, by 1889.

Hoisington modernized and grew steadily over the following decades. The city's first power plant opened in 1903, and a city water system was completed in 1904. The railroad, known by that point as the Missouri Pacific, continued to play a central role in the city's development, employing 1,600 local men by 1911. Hoisington became a major freight and passenger operating division, complete with a roundhouse and shops. Electric street lights were installed in 1915, and the first streets were paved in 1917. The discovery of natural gas in the area in 1929, followed by the discovery of oil in the area in the 1930s, diversified and further stimulated the local economy.

On April 21, 2001, Hoisington suffered a large scale disaster, when an F4 tornado ripped through the city, destroying 5 mi with a path width of 3/8 mi. It came from the southwest corner and traveled almost straight into the middle of the city. One fatality was reported, as well as 28 injuries (two critical). Two hundred homes and 12 businesses were destroyed and 85 homes were severely damaged; an additional 200 homes received minor to moderate damage. The city's population and commerce recovered quickly. Today the tornado's path can still be seen from the air due to the lack of trees, some empty lots, and the newer houses, which are larger and more spaced out than the older ones.

Geography
Hoisington lies on the southern edge of the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains. Blood Creek, which flows east into nearby Cheyenne Bottoms, passes immediately south of the city. Central Hoisington lies 5.5 mi by road northwest of Cheyenne Bottoms. Situated at the intersection of U.S. Route 281 and K-4 in central Kansas, Hoisington is roughly 15 mi north of Great Bend, the county seat, 105 mi northwest of Wichita, and 234 mi west-southwest of Kansas City. The city sits astride the line between North and South Homestead Townships.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.15 sqmi, all of it land.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 2,699 people, 1,164 households, and 714 families in Hoisington. The population density was 2,326.7 per square mile (898.3/km$2$). There were 1,371 housing units at an average density of 1,181.9 per square mile (456.3/km$2$). The racial makeup was 89.51% (2,416) white or European American (86.29% non-Hispanic white), 1.22% (33) black or African-American, 1.07% (29) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.3% (8) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.41% (38) from other races, and 6.48% (175) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 7.0% (189) of the population.

Of the 1,164 households, 29.9% had children under the age of 18; 44.2% were married couples living together; 27.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 34.8% of households consisted of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.0. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 16.7% of the population.

26.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 103.1 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $47,566 (with a margin of error of +/- $8,203) and the median family income was $58,828 (+/- $13,969). Males had a median income of $36,359 (+/- $3,979) versus $22,090 (+/- $3,558) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $29,773 (+/- $5,996). Approximately, 15.2% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under the age of 18 and 11.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 2,706 people, 1,167 households, and 721 families in the city. The population density was 2,255 PD/sqmi. There were 1,361 housing units at an average density of 1,134.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 94.9% White, 1.1% African American, 0.4% American Indian, 1.1% from some other race, and 2.4% from two or more races. 4.1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,167 households, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18, 48.5% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32, and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males age 18 and over.

Education
The community is served by Hoisington USD 431 public school district with four schools in Hoisington:
 * Hoisington High School (9–12)
 * Hoisington Middle School (5–8)
 * Lincoln Elementary School (3–4)
 * Roosevelt Elementary School (PreK–2)

Transportation
U.S. Route 281 runs north–south through Hoisington, intersecting and briefly running concurrently with K-4 which runs east–west through the city.

The Hoisington Subdivision of the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad runs east–west around the southern side of the city.

Media
Hoisington has two weekly newspapers: The Hoisington Dispatch and Tri-County News.

Radio station KHOK is licensed to Hoisington and broadcasts from Great Bend, Kansas on 100.7 FM, playing a country format.

Fox affiliate KOCW, a satellite of KSAS-TV in Wichita, is licensed to Hoisington and broadcasts on digital channel 14.

Culture
The April 2001 storm was featured on an episode of The Weather Channel series Storm Stories. The tornado struck during the high school prom, and many of the prom goers were unaware the tornado had even hit—a fact that was the subject of the June 9, 2001 episode of the NPR radio show This American Life.

The ABC comedy Sports Night referenced Hoisington on October 13, 1998, in the episode "Intellectual Property." Associate Producer Jeremy Goodwin, challenged to find material to enable sports anchors Dan Rydell and Casey McCall to stretch a segment about a sporting event, notes that the "attendance at tonight's game, 11,323, is exactly the same as the population of Hoisington, Kansas." Producer Dana Whitaker then relays to Dan and Casey that they have two options for stretching the segment: report this odd "fact" about Hoisington, or "talk slower." Hoisington's population in 1998 was probably much closer to 2,975, according to the 2000 census.

Notable people
Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Hoisington include:
 * Walter Broadnax (1944–), public administration professor
 * Doug Dumler (1950–), football offensive lineman
 * Kathryn Eames (1908–2004), actress
 * Roy Ehrlich (1928–1997), Kansas state legislator
 * Kari Wahlgren (1977–), voice actress

title: Hoisington, Kansas