Cottonwood Falls, Kansas Explained

Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Settlement Type:City and County seat
Image Map1:Map of Chase Co, Ks, USA.png
Map Caption1:KDOT map of Chase County (legend)
Coordinates:38.3681°N -96.5431°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Kansas
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Chase
Subdivision Type3:Township
Subdivision Name3:Falls
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1859
Established Title1:Platted
Established Title2:Incorporated
Established Date2:1872
Named For:Falls on Cottonwood River
Government Footnotes:[1]
Government Type:Mayor–Council
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Buddy Sisson
Area Footnotes:[2]
Area Total Sq Mi:0.64
Area Land Sq Mi:0.63
Area Water Sq Mi:0.01
Area Total Km2:1.65
Area Land Km2:1.63
Area Water Km2:0.01
Unit Pref:Imperial
Elevation Ft:1207
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:851
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:CST
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:66845
Area Code Type:Area code
Area Code:620
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:20-15900
Blank1 Name:GNIS ID
Blank1 Info:477262

Cottonwood Falls is the largest city and county seat of Chase County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 851.[3] It is located south of Strong City along the south side of the Cottonwood River.

History

Early history

See also: History of Kansas. For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. 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, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1859, Chase County was established within the Kansas Territory, which included the land for modern day Cottonwood Falls.

The first settlement in the area of Cottonwood Falls was in 1854, when an Indian trader named Seth Hayes founded a cattle ranch on the Cottonwood River close to the mouth of Diamond Spring Creek. The area around the town was organized as Chase County in 1859, and Cottonwood Falls was designated the temporary county seat.[4] Other early settlers arrived in Cottonwood and surrounding lands in 1856 to 1858.[5]

The first post office in Cottonwood Falls was established in 1858.[6] In 1873 the city's French Renaissance style Chase County courthouse was built; at roughly the same time, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway reached Cottonwood Falls area. Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries the area around the city was mainly divided into farms and cattle ranches.

20th century

In 1931, a Transcontinental & Western Air flight crashed ten miles south of Cottonwood Falls near the community of Bazaar, killing all eight on board, including University of Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. A monument to the crash is located on private property.

There have been numerous floods during the history of Cottonwood Falls. In June and July 1951, due to heavy rains, rivers and streams flooded numerous cities in Kansas, including Cottonwood Falls. Many reservoirs and levees were built in Kansas as part of a response to the Great Flood of 1951.

Geography

Cottonwood Falls is located at (38.368159, -96.542918),[7] in the scenic Flint Hills of the Great Plains. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.6sqmi, of which 0.59sqmi is land and 0.01sqmi is water.[8]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Cottonwood Falls has a humid continental climate (Dfa) using the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm, or a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) using the -3 °C (26.6 °F) isotherm. The hottest temperature recorded in Cottonwood Falls was 118F on July 18, 1936, while the coldest temperature recorded was -30F on February 13, 1905.

Area events

Area attractions

Cottonwood Falls has five listings on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Demographics

Cottonwood Falls is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 851 people, 318 households, and 179 families in Cottonwood Falls.[18] The population density was 1,321.4 per square mile (510.2/km). There were 395 housing units at an average density of 613.4 per square mile (236.8/km).[19] [20] The racial makeup was 77.32% (658) white or European American (75.56% non-Hispanic white), 1.88% (16) black or African-American, 0.24% (2) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.94% (8) Asian, 0.24% (2) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 14.92% (127) from other races, and 4.47% (38) from two or more races.[21] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 17.74% (151) of the population.[22]

Of the 318 households, 23.0% had children under the age of 18; 45.0% were married couples living together; 30.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 40.9% of households consisted of individuals and 22.6% 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 2.7.[23] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 18.4% of the population.[24]

16.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 78.2 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $40,739 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,271) and the median family income was $56,667 (+/- $13,166).[25] Males had a median income of $29,750 (+/- $5,519) versus $26,438 (+/- $4,200) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $28,000 (+/- $3,976).[26] Approximately, 4.7% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under the age of 18 and 3.7% of those ages 65 or over.[27] [28]

2010 census

As of the census[29] of 2010, there were 903 people, 342 households, and 205 families residing in the city. The population density was 1530.5PD/sqmi. There were 414 housing units at an average density of 701.7/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% White, 3.4% African American, 0.2% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.0% of the population.

There were 342 households, of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age in the city was 43.3 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 23.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census[30] of 2000, there were 966 people, 375 households, and 227 families residing in the city. The population density was 1674.9sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 427 housing units at an average density of 740.3sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 94.93% White, 2.38% African American, 1.14% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.83% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.

There were 375 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.5% 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 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $28,947, and the median income for a family was $37,986. Males had a median income of $27,639 versus $19,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,166. About 8.8% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

City

The Cottonwood Falls government consists of a mayor and five council members; the council meets the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. City Council Members are elected in odd-numbered years and serve four-year terms.[1] [31]

County

U.S.

Education

Primary and secondary education

The community is served by Chase County USD 284 public school district. It has two schools.

The Chase County High School mascot is Chase County Bulldogs.[32]

The former Cottonwood Falls High School mascot was Cottonwood Falls Wildcats.[33]

Library

Infrastructure

Transportation

K-177 highway passes north–south through the city.Chase County Airport, FAA:9K0,[34] located south-east of 8th St and Airport Rd.[35]

Utilities

Gallery

Notable people

Fiction

In Disney's 1985 film Return to Oz, Doctor J.B. Worley's clinic is set in Chase County near Cottonwood Falls.

In the 2005 film Jarhead, PFC Fergus O'Donnell is from Cottonwood.

The NBC crime drama The Blacklist season 8, episode 13 "Anne" is set and was partially filmed in Cottonwood Falls.

In the Great Railway Adventures book, The Mighty Mogul, Cottonwood Falls serves as a stop for the titular train during its journey to find supplies to build a new schoolhouse.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: City of Cottonwood Falls . The League of Kansas Municipalities . May 26, 2019.
  2. Web site: 2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. July 24, 2020.
  3. Web site: Profile of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas in 2020 . United States Census Bureau . November 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211111234517/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2015900 . November 11, 2021 . live.
  4. Book: Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. . Standard Publishing Company . Blackmar, Frank Wilson . 1912 . 459.
  5. William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/chase/chase-co-p1.html
  6. Web site: Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived) . Kansas Historical Society . 5 June 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131009125935/http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county%3ACS . October 9, 2013 .
  7. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. 2011-04-23. 2011-02-12.
  8. Web site: US Gazetteer files 2010 . . 2012-07-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt . 2012-07-02 .
  9. http://www.kansastravel.org/prairiefirefestival.htm Prairie Fire Festival - Kansas Travel
  10. http://www.kshs.org/resource/national_register/nominationsNRDB/Chase_CartterBuildingNR.pdf National Register of Historic Places - Cartter Building
  11. http://www.kshs.org/resource/national_register/nominationsNRDB/Chase_ChaseCountyCourthouseNR.pdf National Register of Historic Places - Chase County Courthouse
  12. http://www.kshs.org/resource/national_register/nominationsNRDB/Chase_ChaseCountyNationalBankNR.pdf National Register of Historic Places - Chase County National Bank
  13. http://www.kshs.org/resource/national_register/nominationsNRDB/Chase_CottonwoodRiverBridgeNR.pdf National Register of Historic Places - Cottonwood River Bridge
  14. http://www.kansastravel.org/cottonwoodfalls.htm Cottonwood Falls Dam & Bridge - Kansas Travel
  15. http://www.kshs.org/resource/national_register/nominationsNRDB/Chase_WoodSNHouseNR.pdf National Register of Historic Places - Samuel N Wood House
  16. http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-historical-markers/14999#94 Kansas Historical Marker - A Landmark Of Distinction
  17. http://www.kansastravel.org/chaselakefalls.htm Chase Lake Falls - Kansas Travel
  18. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE . 2024-01-02 . data.census.gov.
  19. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS . 2024-01-02 . data.census.gov.
  20. Web site: Bureau . US Census . Gazetteer Files . 2023-12-30 . Census.gov.
  21. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE . 2024-01-02 . data.census.gov.
  22. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE . 2024-01-02 . data.census.gov.
  23. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES . 2024-01-02 . data.census.gov.
  24. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT . 2024-01-02 . data.census.gov.
  25. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) . 2024-01-02 . data.census.gov.
  26. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) . 2024-01-02 . data.census.gov.
  27. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS . 2024-01-02 . data.census.gov.
  28. Web site: US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES . 2024-01-02 . data.census.gov.
  29. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2012-07-06.
  30. Web site: U.S. Census website . . 2008-01-31 .
  31. http://www.cottonwoodfallskansas.com/government/councilmeetings.html Cottonwood Falls - Government
  32. Web site: Chase County USD 284 . USD 284 . 1 January 2017.
  33. "Cottonwood Falls Wins District at Florence", The Emporia Gazette, 3 March 1958, p.5.
  34. http://www.ksdot.org/divAviation/pdf_pic_pages/Cottonwoodfalls_P25.pdf Chase County Airport map
  35. http://www.airnav.com/airport/9K0 Chase County Airport information
  36. Web site: Not connected and no Netflix: It’s frankly embarrassing’ in these Kansas towns . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200209174257/https://www.kansas.com/news/business/article240100363.html . February 9, 2020 . February 9, 2020 . live.
  37. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1933,' Biographical Sketch of Harley A. Martin, pg. 253