|
|
|
|
Coffeyville, Kansas
|
| |
|
| |
Coffeyville is a city situated along the Verdigris River in the southeastern part of Montgomery County, located in Southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. The population was 11,021 at the 2000 census, and it was estimated to be in the year . It is the most populous city of Montgomery County and with its southeast Kansas location is located in the Tulsa, Oklahoma media market.
Coffeyville is home to online retailer Amazon.com's largest distribution center, leased in 1999.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Coffeyville, Kansas' Start a new discussion about 'Coffeyville, Kansas' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
Coffeyville is a city situated along the Verdigris River in the southeastern part of Montgomery County, located in Southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. The population was 11,021 at the 2000 census, and it was estimated to be in the year . It is the most populous city of Montgomery County and with its southeast Kansas location is located in the Tulsa, Oklahoma media market.
Coffeyville is home to online retailer Amazon.com's largest distribution center, leased in 1999. It was opened in a facility previously operated by Golden Books.
History
Founded in 1869 as an Indian trading post by Col. James A. Coffey, serving the population across the Oklahoma border in what was then the Indian Territory, the town was confirmed and expanded by the arrival of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad in 1871. With the arrival of the railroad, a young surveyor, Napoleon B. Blanton, was dispatched to lay out the town. The naming of the town was left to the toss of a coin between Col. Coffey and U.S. Army Captain Blanton. Blanton lost the toss and the town was officially named Coffeyville.
Incorporated in 1872, the charter was voided, and the city was re-incorporated in March 1873.
Coffeyville's most famous moment may have been the end of the Dalton Gang: on October 5, 1892, four of the gang were killed while Emmett Dalton survived with 23 gunshot wounds and was imprisoned for 14 years before being pardoned. They had been attempting to rob two banks, First National Bank and Condon Bank, at once when the citizens recognized them under the fake beards they were wearing and fought them after coming out of one of the banks. The two banks at the time of the attempted robbery were directly across the street from one another. Four citizens, including a U.S. marshal, , died in defense of the town. The town holds an annual celebration each October in remembrance of the Dalton Raid and the lives its citizens lost.
In 1930 Coffeyville had an organized LDS Sunday School, one of only 11 places in Kansas to have such at that point.
On July 1, 2007, Coffeyville had a major flood in which the local refinery, Coffeyville Resources LLC, had an oil leak which polluted the water. It flooded approximately a third of the town.
Approximately 71,000 gallons of crude oil mingled with the already contaminated flood waters. The EPA was reportedly on site trying to prevent the oil and flood water mix from continuing down river where it could damage the water in Oologah Lake near Oologah, Oklahoma. Many Oklahomans get their water from the Verdigris River or Oologah Lake. Last reports show a minimal amount of oil reached Oolagah Lake, but it did not pose a threat to the water supplies of other cities along the Verdigris River or from the lake. A number of animals have been found dead or injured in flood areas covered with oil. By July 2, 2007, areas east of Patterson Street in Coffeyville were off limits and a curfew was enacted in other areas of the city. July 3, 2007 the city lost its supply of potable water, but the water service has been restored and the order to boil water was rescinded on July 7. FEMA and the Red Cross were on hand and the area was declared a federal disaster area. Most displaced residents took shelter with family and friends, but many were sheltered in three shelters set up by the Red Cross at two area churches and a senior citizens' apartment complex. Some pets were rescued to a temporary animal shelter built for them at LeClere Park. The temporary animal shelter has since been relocated to the former Whittier School.
The flooded area on the city's east side was reopened on July 11 for residents and business owners to begin assessing damage and to retrieve salvageable items, although a curfew from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. remains in effect.
In order to focus on the post-flood recovery and clean-up, the 2007 Inter-State Fair & Rodeo was canceled.
Geography
Coffeyville is located in the southeast corner of Kansas, about 75 miles north of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and 60 miles west of Joplin, Missouri. The city is situated about one-half mile north of the Oklahoma state line at (37.037708, -95.626438). The city is situated along the west bank of the Verdigris River. The city is the location of the lowest point in the state of Kansas at 679 feet above sea level. Coffeyville Municipal Airport is only a few miles northeast of the city along US-169. Though Coffeyville is the largest city in Montgomery County, the county seat is Independence, located 16 miles northwest of the city.
Coffeyville, specifically Coffeyville Country Club, is the default center starting point of Google Maps, though the reason for this remains unknown.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.1 square miles (18.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
Coffeyville has experienced a slow and steady population decline since around 1960 when its population peaked. As of 2006 the population was estimated to be in the year , .
As of the U.S. Census in 2000, there were 11,021 people, 4,691 households, and 2,847 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,562.1 people per square mile (602.7/km²). There were 5,550 housing units at an average density of 786.6/sq mi (303.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.76% White, 12.12% Black or African American, 4.97% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other races, and 4.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.82% of the population.
There were 4,691 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,542, and the median income for a family was $33,180. Males had a median income of $29,199 versus $17,940 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,182. About 10.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Coffeyville has a long history as a center of industry and manufacturing. Unlike the common perception of small midwestern communities, Coffeyville's dominant economic sector has never been agriculture, though the sector is significant. The city's reliance on heavy industry and manufacturing has caused economic instability and has been a contributing factor in the city's ongoing population decline.
Education
Public education is provided by the Coffeyville school district (). The district educates almost 2,000 students in three facilities. The district has one, large consolidated elementary school with four pods, one middle school and one high school.
The city also has one parochial school, operated by the Roman Catholic Church, Holy Name School.
- Community Elementary School, grades PK–6
- Holy Name School, grades PK-6
- Roosevelt Middle School, grades 7–8
- Field Kindley High School, grades 9–12
Advanced education is provided by Coffeyville Community College at three campuses. The main campus and technical trades campus are each located in Coffeyville, while a third campus is located in Columbus, Kansas. Four-year college degrees are offered by Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Friends University and Sterling College at the main Coffeyville Community College campus. Coffeyville Community College has a long history of academic and athletic success.
Notable natives
Born in Coffeyville
- Phil Ehart, drummer of the rock band "Kansas"
- David Evitts, baratone, Metropolitan Opera and international venues
- Rudy May, former Major League pitcher
- Trevor Murdoch, professional wrestler
- Adrian (Bert) Roberts, film and TV actor
- Cynthia Sikes, actress
Famous Coffeyville Community College alumni
- Gary Busey, actor
- Buster Douglas, world heavyweight boxing champion
- Reggie Evans, professional basketball player
- Brandon Jacobs, NFL running back, New York Giants
- Reggie Nelson, NFL safety, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Mike Rozier, 1983 Heisman Trophy winner
- Ron Springs, Football player
- Jeff Wright, retired NFL defensive tackle, Buffalo Bills
Notable residents
Coffeyville in popular culture
- Coffeyville was mentioned in the 2002 movie Reign of Fire, starring Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey. According to the script, Coffeyville is where humans first find a way to kill the dragons that are menacing the planet.
- Dirty Little Billy (1972, starring Michael J. Pollard): The opening scene is identified as Coffeyville, Kansas (with out-of-place, towering mountains in the background!). Coincidentally, Garry Busey, a Coffeyville Community College alumnus was a cast member.
- The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang (1979) is a serio-comic look at one of the last gangs of outlaws to roam the wild West.
- The gay-oriented adult film Barn Storm, directed by Joe Gage, describes the opening setting as in Coffeyville, a small town in Kansas right above the Oklahoma state line.
Bibliography
- Kristine Crispel's horse farm outside Coffeyville has the distinction of being the center of the world—according to Google.
External links
Official sites
Additional information
|
| |
|
|
