Arkansas City, Kansas
Arkansas City, Kansas | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 20-02300 | | |
GNIS ID | 485541[1] | |
Website | arkcity.org |
Arkansas City (
Pronunciation of city name
The name of this city is not pronounced like the nearby state of Arkansas, but rather as /ɑːrˈkænzəs/ (the final "s" is pronounced, and it rhymes with Kansas).[6] Over the years there has been much confusion about the regional pronunciation of "Arkansas", which locals render as /ɑːrˈkænzəs/ rather than /ˈɑːrkənsɔː/.[7] Throughout much of Kansas, residents also use this alternative pronunciation when referring to the Arkansas River.[6]
The city is also known as "Ark City".[8]
History
Early history
Present-day Arkansas City sits on the site of an ancestral Wichita city, Etzanoa, which flourished from 1450 to 1700 and had an estimated population of 20,000.[9]
In 1601, New Mexico Governor
19th century
European-American settlers first congregated in the area where Arkansas City now stands in the 1860s.
Settlers established a town in 1870. They had difficulty choosing a name; early names included Adelphia, Creswell, and Walnut City before the present name was chosen.[12] The first post office in Arkansas City was established on May 16, 1870.[13]
In 1877, the
Arkansas City grew steadily through the latter part of the 19th century, and enjoyed a population explosion starting in 1891, when thousands of people moved into the area in anticipation of the Cherokee Strip Land Run.
20th century
At the turn of the century, Arkansas City was a rival to Wichita in size and enterprise, boasting several busy
The Kirkwood Wind Engine Company, a former windmill manufacturer, was headquartered in Arkansas City near the turn of the 20th century;[citation needed] the now-defunct Kanotex Refining Company established a refinery and headquarters in the city in 1917.[16]
During the 1920s, Arkansas City had an active group of Ku Klux Klan. The group was mostly concentrated in south-central and south-east Kansas. The state took action to shut down the group, and most Klans disbanded by 1927.[17]
In 1928, the city's official fall festival, Arkalalah, was inaugurated. This annual event still draws thousands of visitors each October, and features a queen, a carnival, dozens of homegrown fair food vendors and a spectacular parade typically lasting two hours or more. During the 1955 Arkalalah celebration, retired Santa Fe steam locomotive 2542 was dedicated in Wilson Park, where it remains today.[18]
The city prospered through much of the 20th century, but by the 1980s, the community was facing economic challenges. The railroads shifted many of their crews to other stops, the old Rodeo meat packing plant, which for a short time was Morrell Meats, closed. The only passenger train that served the city,
21st century
Arkansas City is now home to state-of-the-art meat processor Creekstone Farms Premium Beef LLC which employs over 1100 workers. Several smaller manufacturing companies are expanding their operations while new start ups are finding a home in Cowley County due in part to the workforce supplied by the two local colleges in the county. Both cities, only 11 miles (18 km) apart, now have large
In 2006, the local physicians in Arkansas City banded together with the South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center (SCKRMC) board and the City of Arkansas City to build a new hospital, which opened in March 2011.[19]
In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing Pipeline (Phase II) was constructed west of Arkansas City, north to south through Cowley County, with much controversy over tax exemption and environmental concerns (if a leak ever occurs).[20][21]
In recent years, there have been proposals to extend
Geography
Arkansas City is situated along the northern bank of the
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.38 square miles (24.29 km2), of which 9.36 square miles (24.24 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[24]
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 1,012 | — | |
1890 | 8,347 | 724.8% | |
1900 | 6,140 | −26.4% | |
1910 | 7,508 | 22.3% | |
1920 | 11,253 | 49.9% | |
1930 | 13,946 | 23.9% | |
1940 | 12,752 | −8.6% | |
1950 | 12,903 | 1.2% | |
1960 | 14,262 | 10.5% | |
1970 | 13,216 | −7.3% | |
1980 | 13,201 | −0.1% | |
1990 | 12,762 | −3.3% | |
2000 | 11,963 | −6.3% | |
2010 | 12,415 | 3.8% | |
2020 | 11,974 | −3.6% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020[5] |
2020 census
The
Of the 4,467 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18; 40.2% were married couples living together; 30.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.3% of households consisted of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[26] The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 3.0.[31] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 12.7% of the population.[32]
26.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.3 males.[26] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 108.7 males.[26]
The 2016-2020 5-year
2010 census
As of the
There were 4,802 households, of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.9% were non-families. 31.9% 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 3.07.
The median age in the city was 33.8 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
2000 census
As of the
There were 4,855 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.7% 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 2.36 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.
The
Education
The community is served by the Arkansas City USD 470 public school district.
Professor H. B. Norton first hosted a school in his home when Arkansas City was first established. The public school system began development in 1872.[39]
Media
- The Arkansas City Traveler
- The Winfield Daily Courier for nearby Winfield
Radio
- KSOK, 1280 AM, Country
- KAXR, 91.3 FM, Religious
- KACY, 102.5 FM, Classic hits
- KYQQ, 106.5 FM, Spanish
Notable people
- Maurice E. Baringer, Iowa State treasurer and state legislator
- Michael Bradford, playwright and artistic director of the Connecticut Repertory Theatre
- Florida Marlins
- Frank Davis, American journalist, poet, political and labor movement activist, born in Arkansas City
- Robert Docking, Mayor of Arkansas City, Governor of Kansas, 1967–1975
- Robert Eaton, automobile businessman, grew up in Arkansas City
- Tim Elliott, American Mixed Martial Artist, UFC.
- Lionel Hollins, former NBA professional basketball player and former head coach of the Brooklyn Nets
- Richard Killblane, author and military historian, born in Arkansas City and attended first two years of elementary school.
- Anna Larkin, folk sculptor, lived in Arkansas City upon moving to the United States[40]
- Nila Mack, actress, writer and director, golden age radio program Let's Pretend
- Dick Metz, professional golfer, born in Arkansas City
- Leslie Miller, former professional football player, born in Arkansas City
- Jack Mitchell, football head coach, Arkansas and Kansas, born in Arkansas City
- Billy Mize, musician, born in Arkansas City
- Willie Oates, philanthropist, social activist, and politician, born in Arkansas City
- Helen Parsons, biochemist, born in Arkansas City
- Kiwanis InternationalFoundation
- Euclid Sherwood, commonly known as Motorhead Sherwood, vocalist and saxophonist for The Mothers of Inventionduring the band's early years
- Sara Sothern, actress, mother of Elizabeth Taylor
See also
References
- ^ a b c d U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Arkansas City, Kansas
- ^ "City Manager Department". arkcity.org. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ a b "Profile of Arkansas City, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
- ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Arkansas City, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- ^ a b Yarborough, India. "Can you pronounce these 10 city names correctly? If so, there's a good chance you're from Kansas". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- ^ Pronunciation Guide
- ^ "Visit Ark City Board of Trustees Meeting". City of Arkansas City, Kansas. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ Kelly, David (August 19, 2018). "Archaeologists explore a rural field in Kansas, and a lost city emerges". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^ Wenzl, Roy (April 24, 2017). "Its location a mystery for centuries, huge Indian city may have been found in Kansas". The Kansas City Star.
- ^ Vehik, Susan C. "Onate's Expedition to the Southern Plains: Routes, Destinations, and Implications for Late Prehistoric Cultural Adaptations." Plains Anthropologist, Vol 31, No. 111, 1986, 13–33
- ^ Kansas State Historical Society (1916). Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Printing Plant. p. 168.
- ^ "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- LCCN72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
- ^ Railway Abandonment 1942
- ^ Junge, Aspen (June 30, 2010). "Refining History" (PDF). Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 27, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
- ^ Kansas Battles the Invisible Empire: The Legal Ouster of the KKK from Kansas during 1922-1927; Kansas State Historical Society; 1974.
- ^ "Digital Archives of the Arkansas City Public Library". Arkansas City Daily Traveler.
- ^ Siebenmark, Jerry (March 13, 2011). "New hospital to open in Ark City". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
- ^ Keystone Pipeline – Marion County Commission calls out Legislative Leadership on Pipeline Deal; April 18, 2010. Archived October 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Keystone Pipeline – TransCanada inspecting pipeline; December 10, 2010.
- ^ "Heartland Flyer Extension". storymaps.arcgis.com. Amtrak Connect Us. September 17, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ "Could Kansans soon hop a train to Texas? Billions in federal funding might mean yes". Topeka Capital-Journal. January 30, 2023. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
- ^ Climate Summary for Arkansas City, Kansas
- ^ a b c d e "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
- ^ "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2011.[dead link]
- ISBN 0738560499, 9780738560496. p. 105.
- ISBN 978-1-135-63882-5.