Allen County, Kansas
Allen County | |
---|---|
UTC−5 (CDT) | |
Area code | 620 |
Congressional district | 2nd |
Website | AllenCounty.org |
Allen County is a
History
Early history
For many
19th century
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized. Allen County is one of the 33 counties established by the first territorial legislature in August 1855, six years before Kansas statehood in 1861. It was named in honor of William Allen, a United States senator from Ohio. At the time of its creation, Charles Passmore was appointed probate judge; B.W. Cowden and Barnett Owen were appointed county commissioners, and William Godfrey was appointed sheriff. The appointments were temporary until the general election in 1857. The four men were authorized to appoint the county clerk and treasurer thus completing the county organization.[3]
Richard J. Fuqua and his family are considered the first white settlers in the county, arriving in the valley of the Neosho River January 1855. Fuqua established a post for trading with the neighboring Indian tribes which became quite popular with the Sac and Fox Indians. B.W. Cowden and H.D. Parsons arrived in March of the same year and selected claims in the valley of the Neosho River, near the mouth of Elm Creek. The next settlement was made near the mouth of Deer Creek (so named for the abundance of deer in the area) by Major James Parsons, and his two sons, Jesse and James, and a Mr. Duncan. The population grew rapidly through the spring and summer of 1855, most of it located on or near the Neosho River.
Many of the early settlers were pro-slavery, but few slaves were actually brought into the county. The anti-slavery population expressed such antipathy toward their pro-slavery neighbors that slaves within the county there were either freed or taken elsewhere in Kansas by their masters. Immigration continued during the summer and fall of 1856, though in reduced numbers.[4]
The first town and county seat was Cofachique. In the spring of 1855 pro-slavery settlers from Fort Scott laid out the town in a hilly area east of the Neosho River and south of the mouth of Elm Creek. The territorial legislature passed an act in July 1855 incorporating the Cofachique Town Association. It was the only town in Allen County for nearly two years and as such was quite successful; but in 1857 other towns were constructed and Cofachique began to decline almost immediately. One of the reasons for decline was accessibility, the other was a lack of good well water. Another possible contribution to the town's decline involved tensions between the pro and anti-slavery settlers. With the development of neighboring towns Humboldt and Iola the town of Cofachique all but disappeared by 1859.[5] The county seat went briefly to Humboldt in 1857 where it remained until 1865, but with the election of that year Iola took the county seat and has retained this designation to the present.[6]
After a series of disputes between residents in the county over where a county jail should be located, Allen County's first jail was constructed in Iola in 1869 at a cost of $8,400. It operated until a replacement jail house was opened in 1959. Since that time the original jail has been run as a museum.[7]
The last year of the territorial period (1860) was one of the most difficult years since the initial settlement of the county. Periods of drought beginning as early as 1854 had plagued all of Kansas and though 1859 had seen a reprieve, by the end of 1859 and into 1860 the drought worsened. The St. Laurence newspaper reported: "No rain, no snow, and much open, thawing, mild weather, alternated with sharp, though brief [cold] snaps..."[8] Most of the people who had moved to the county in the previous two years were still trying to establish their farms. With the prospect of starvation and hardship before them, many decided to return to the east.[4]
Geography
According to the
Geographic features
The general surface of the country is slightly rolling, though much more level than the greater portion of eastern Kansas. The soil is fertile and highly productive. The bottom lands along the streams average one and one-half miles in width, and comprise one-tenth the area of the county. The remainder is the gently rolling or level upland prairie. The principal varieties of trees native to the county are black walnut, hickory, cottonwood, oak, hackberry and elm.[4]
The main water course is the Neosho River, which flows through the western part of the county from north to south. Its tributaries are Indian, Martin's, Deer, Elm, Vegetarian Creek, and other small creeks. The Marmaton River rises east of the center of the county, and flows through the southeastern part of the county. The Little Osage River rises not far from the head of the Marmaton and flows northeast. Its tributaries are Middle Creek on the north and the South Fork on the south.[10]
Adjacent counties
- Anderson County (north)
- Linn County (northeast)
- Bourbon County (east)
- Neosho County (south)
- Wilson County (southwest)
- Woodson County (west)
- Coffey County (northwest)
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 3,082 | — | |
1870 | 7,022 | 127.8% | |
1880 | 11,303 | 61.0% | |
1890 | 13,509 | 19.5% | |
1900 | 19,507 | 44.4% | |
1910 | 27,640 | 41.7% | |
1920 | 23,509 | −14.9% | |
1930 | 21,391 | −9.0% | |
1940 | 19,874 | −7.1% | |
1950 | 18,187 | −8.5% | |
1960 | 16,369 | −10.0% | |
1970 | 15,043 | −8.1% | |
1980 | 15,654 | 4.1% | |
1990 | 14,638 | −6.5% | |
2000 | 14,385 | −1.7% | |
2010 | 13,371 | −7.0% | |
2020 | 12,526 | −6.3% | |
2023 (est.) | 12,412 | [11] | −0.9% |
U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[1] |
Census 2010
As of the
Census 2000
As of the
There were 5,775 households, out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.
The
Historical trends
During the years of the American Civil War the county continued to develop though at a slower rate. From 1860 to 1870 there was a steady increase in population from 3,082 to 7,022 residents. The next ten years brought a similar steady rise, from 7,022 to 11,303 residents. The county's largest growth period was between 1890 and 1910. At its peak in 1910, Allen County had 27,640 residents. Thereafter the county experienced a slow decline in population. By 2010, the population was slightly below the population in 1890 there being 13,371 residents.[citation needed] The population increase during the 1890/1910 period was likely due to the oil and gas discoveries and production near Iola.[17]
Government
Presidential elections
Allen County is a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry this county was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, but Bill Clinton came within just 39 votes of carrying it in 1992.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 4,218 | 71.59% | 1,570 | 26.65% | 104 | 1.77% |
2016 | 3,651 | 66.27% | 1,433 | 26.01% | 425 | 7.71% |
2012 | 3,316 | 62.45% | 1,869 | 35.20% | 125 | 2.35% |
2008 | 3,552 | 60.67% | 2,189 | 37.39% | 114 | 1.95% |
2004 | 3,867 | 65.84% | 1,922 | 32.73% | 84 | 1.43% |
2000 | 3,379 | 58.60% | 2,132 | 36.98% | 255 | 4.42% |
1996 | 2,797 | 47.06% | 2,299 | 38.68% | 847 | 14.25% |
1992 | 2,351 | 36.56% | 2,312 | 35.96% | 1,767 | 27.48% |
1988 | 3,429 | 58.14% | 2,392 | 40.56% | 77 | 1.31% |
1984 | 4,267 | 69.76% | 1,778 | 29.07% | 72 | 1.18% |
1980 | 3,811 | 60.33% | 2,009 | 31.80% | 497 | 7.87% |
1976 | 3,269 | 53.23% | 2,746 | 44.72% | 126 | 2.05% |
1972 | 3,938 | 69.47% | 1,610 | 28.40% | 121 | 2.13% |
1968 | 3,520 | 59.66% | 1,875 | 31.78% | 505 | 8.56% |
1964 | 2,841 | 45.44% | 3,369 | 53.89% | 42 | 0.67% |
1960 | 4,947 | 65.89% | 2,540 | 33.83% | 21 | 0.28% |
1956 | 5,342 | 71.15% | 2,143 | 28.54% | 23 | 0.31% |
1952 | 6,045 | 73.40% | 2,160 | 26.23% | 31 | 0.38% |
1948 | 4,704 | 61.21% | 2,891 | 37.62% | 90 | 1.17% |
1944 | 5,032 | 68.56% | 2,262 | 30.82% | 46 | 0.63% |
1940 | 6,376 | 66.42% | 3,178 | 33.10% | 46 | 0.48% |
1936 | 6,071 | 61.05% | 3,869 | 38.90% | 5 | 0.05% |
1932 | 4,510 | 50.47% | 4,249 | 47.55% | 177 | 1.98% |
1928 | 6,695 | 78.30% | 1,803 | 21.09% | 52 | 0.61% |
1924 | 6,101 | 69.94% | 2,181 | 25.00% | 441 | 5.06% |
1920 | 5,091 | 67.68% | 2,272 | 30.20% | 159 | 2.11% |
1916 | 4,129 | 47.78% | 4,053 | 46.90% | 459 | 5.31% |
1912 | 1,692 | 35.07% | 1,739 | 36.04% | 1,394 | 28.89% |
1908 | 3,283 | 53.80% | 2,579 | 42.26% | 240 | 3.93% |
1904 | 3,754 | 68.06% | 1,380 | 25.02% | 382 | 6.93% |
1900 | 2,680 | 55.57% | 2,073 | 42.98% | 70 | 1.45% |
1896 | 1,833 | 51.60% | 1,656 | 46.62% | 63 | 1.77% |
1892 | 1,509 | 51.20% | 0 | 0.00% | 1,438 | 48.80% |
1888 | 1,886 | 56.62% | 1,036 | 31.10% | 409 | 12.28% |
Laws
Following amendment to the
Education
Unified school districts
Colleges and universities
- Allen County Community College
Transportation
Major highways
Bus
Airports
- Allen County Airport (K88), public
- Croisant Airport (7KS5), private
- Ensminger Airport (74KS), private
- National Airport, public
- Womack Airport, public
Communities
‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county. † means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.
Cities
Unincorporated communities
Ghost towns
Townships
Allen County is divided into twelve townships. Because Humboldt, Iola, and La Harpe are cities of the second class, they are governmentally independent from the townships and are excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.
Township | FIPS |
Population center |
Population | Population density /km2 (/sq mi) |
Land area km2 (sq mi) |
Water area km2 (sq mi) |
Water % | Geographic coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carlyle | 10725 | 276 | 4 (9) | 78 (30) | 0 (0) | 0.09% | 37°59′50″N 95°22′47″W / 37.99722°N 95.37972°W | |
Cottage Grove | 15825 | 282 | 3 (8) | 96 (37) | 0 (0) | 0.42% | 37°45′20″N 95°22′11″W / 37.75556°N 95.36972°W | |
Deer Creek | 17175 | 142 | 2 (4) | 94 (36) | 0 (0) | 0.13% | 37°59′14″N 95°17′23″W / 37.98722°N 95.28972°W | |
Elm | 20550 | Gas | 1,259 | 10 (27) | 123 (47) | 0 (0) | 0.33% | 37°54′36″N 95°19′36″W / 37.91000°N 95.32667°W |
Elsmore | 20900 | 460 | 3 (7) | 165 (64) | 0 (0) | 0.06% | 37°47′1″N 95°9′23″W / 37.78361°N 95.15639°W | |
Geneva | 26100 | 172 | 2 (6) | 78 (30) | 1 (0) | 1.02% | 38°0′7″N 95°28′33″W / 38.00194°N 95.47583°W | |
Humboldt | 33475 | 273 | 4 (11) | 65 (25) | 1 (0) | 0.88% | 37°48′47″N 95°25′34″W / 37.81306°N 95.42611°W | |
Iola | 34325 | 843 | 8 (19) | 112 (43) | 2 (1) | 1.57% | 37°54′29″N 95°25′27″W / 37.90806°N 95.42417°W | |
Logan | 41725 | 225 | 3 (7) | 83 (32) | 1 (0) | 0.75% | 37°47′2″N 95°29′2″W / 37.78389°N 95.48389°W | |
Marmaton | 44850 | Moran | 853 | 6 (15) | 144 (56) | 0 (0) | 0.09% | 37°54′40″N 95°9′48″W / 37.91111°N 95.16333°W |
Osage | 53075 | 316 | 3 (7) | 124 (48) | 0 (0) | 0.37% | 38°0′14″N 95°9′36″W / 38.00389°N 95.16000°W | |
Salem | 62600 | 277 | 2 (6) | 124 (48) | 0 (0) | 0.10% | 37°49′31″N 95°18′6″W / 37.82528°N 95.30167°W | |
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002. |
See also
- Community information for Kansas
- Kansas locations by per capita income
- List of counties in Kansas
- List of townships in Kansas
- List of cities in Kansas
- List of unincorporated communities in Kansas
- List of ghost towns in Kansas
References
- ^ a b c d "QuickFacts; Allen County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "History of Allen County, Kansas". www.genealogytrails.com. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Allen County, Part 1". www.kancoll.org. Archived from the original on December 18, 2002. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ History of the State of Kansas: Containing a Full Account of Its Growth from an Uninhabited Territory to a Wealthy and Important State... Also, a Supplementary History and Description of Its Counties, Cities, Towns, and Villages. A. T. Andreas. January 1, 1883.
- ^ "Allen County, Kansas - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ Pankratz, Richard D. National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Allen County Jail. National Park Service, 1974-09-04, 3.
- ^ "Dust Storms: Part One, 1850-1860 - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ISBN 9780722249055.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Striking It Big in Kansas - AAPG Explorer". archives.aapg.org. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2004. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
Further reading
- Atlas and plat book of Allen County, Kansas; Kenyon Company; 90 pages; 1921.
- Plat book of Allen County, Kansas; North West Publishing Co; 33 pages; 1906.
External links
- County
- Historical
- Allen County - History, Kansas State Historical Society
- Maps