Linwood, Kansas

Linwood is a city in Leavenworth County, Kansas, United States,^[1] and part of the Kansas City metropolitan area.^[5] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 415.^[4] It is located along K-32 highway between Lawrence and Bonner Springs.

History

Beginnings

Linwood was founded as Journeycake, named after Charles Journeycake, the last Delaware chief. People occasionally made fun of the name Journeycake by calling it "Johnny Cake." The community was platted on both sides of Stranger Creek, near the creek's mouth at the Kansas River.

In May 1860, a treaty was signed at Sarcoxieville, 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Linwood, by Chief Sarcoxie of the Delaware and by the United States.^[6] After the treaty's signature, each member of the tribe was assigned a parcel of land, and the balance of the tribe's territories were sold to the predecessor of the Union Pacific Railroad. Meanwhile, the U.S. government established a trading post near Stranger Creek until the tribe was moved to the Indian Territory in 1867. Located beside the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, the trading post became the first school in the community.

Union Pacific Railroad

In September 1863, the

Much of Linwood's commerce came from the saw mills on the river, as the city had grown very near the banks of the Kansas River (known as the “Kaw” River) that flows eastward to the Missouri. After the 1903 flood damaged and endangered much of Linwood, the city was relocated about one mile (1.6 km) north to its present location out of “the bottoms” (as they are still known today) near the river.

21st century

Present day Linwood is a small city which is accessed solely off of K-32, as the Golden Road bridge over Stranger Creek collapsed in the early 2000s and has never been rebuilt. Currently, the city has less than 400 people. In just the last couple of years,^[when?] numerous new homes have been built drawing new families. Linwood has several businesses including a gas station, tavern, landscaping company, salsa plant and a Dollar General retail store. Linwood is home to one of the Basehor-Linwood Elementary Schools, while the Basehor-Linwood Middle and High Schools are located in Basehor.

2019 tornado

On May 28, 2019, an EF4 tornado with Doppler windspeed measurements of over 187 mph struck the outlying areas of the city and severely damaged homes.^[8][9] At least 13 injuries were reported due to the storm. The city itself was spared any major damage, with just the occasional roof damage and loss of trees and fencing.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.73 square miles (1.89 km²), of which 0.71 square miles (1.84 km²) are land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) are water.^[10] Linwood is situated along the north bank of the Kansas River.

Demographics

2020 census

The

Of the 153 households, 45.8% had children under the age of 18; 51.0% were married couples living together; 17.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 24.2% of households consisted of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12] The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 2.9.^[16] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 9.9% of the population.^[17]

26.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males.^[12] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 84.8 males.^[12]

The 2016-2020 5-year

There were 139 households, of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 12.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.8% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.14.

The median age in the city was 31.8 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.9% were from 25 to 44; 21% were from 45 to 64; and 8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 53.3% male and 46.7% female.

2000 census

As of the

There were 129 households, out of which 45% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47% were married couples living together, 14% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32% were non-families. 26% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.9 and the average family size was 3.5.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 35% under the age of 18, 13% from 18 to 24, 30% from 25 to 44, 17% from 45 to 64, and 5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,313, and the median income for a family was $39,125. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $24,896 for females. The

Notable people

• William Harris
  (1841–1909), Kansas senator
• Charles Journeycake (1817–1894), founder of Linwood

See also

• March 2006 tornado outbreak sequence
• List of United States tornadoes in April 2009
• List of United States tornadoes in May 2019

References