Concordia, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Concordia is a city in and the county seat
of Cloud County
, Kansas, United States. Located on the Republican River
in the Smoky Hills
region of the Great Plains, Concordia was founded in 1871 and is an economic and cultural center in north-central Kansas
. Among other points of interest, Concordia is the home of the Brown Grand Theatre
, Cloud County Community College
, and the Nazareth Convent and Academy
. It was also the home of Kansas Governor
and U.S. Senator
Frank Carlson
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 5,395.
before the town was created. The founder of the town, James M. Hagaman
had created a complete layout of the town on paper including streets, blocks, courthouse, and parks. The name "Concordia" was chosen because a member of the early group of promoters ("Cap" Snyder) had once lived in Concordia, Missouri
.
December 1869 was the first election for the county seat with Concordia, Clyde
and the now defunct town Sibley
. Without a clear majority, a second election was held between Concordia and Sibley on January 4, 1870. Concordia was declared the winner over Sibley 165 votes to 129.
It was over a year later when Concordia officially became a town when the Republican Land District Office opened on January 16, 1871. The Concordia Land Office continued until February 28, 1889 when it was consolidated with the land office in Topeka, Kansas
.
Also in 1871, Concordia elected its first mayor, R. E. Allen. Under his leadership, Concordia was officially incorporated as a third class city under Kansas law in August 1872.
Concordia was visited in its early years by many traveling shows. As early as 1876 various traveling entertainers including Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill Cody, Ringling Brothers
, and others came to Concordia. In 1892, the Ringling train wrecked east of the town killing two men and twenty horses, but the show played the next day to a crowd of 4,000.
The first schoolteacher to teach inside the city limits was Milo Stevens, who was paid a salary of twenty dollars per month. A state normal school
was set up in Concordia in 1874 with F. E. Robinson as principal and former state Superintendent H. D. McCarty became president the second year. In 1876 the state ceased to provide funding and the school was closed.
In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City
) through Concordia to Superior, Nebraska
. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
merged with Burlington Northern Railroad
and renamed to the current BNSF Railway
. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".
In 1897, Pope Leo XIII
founded the Roman Catholic Diocese of Concordia, Kansas
. The diocese operated until 1947 when it was merged with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina
. It was later restored as a titular see in 1995.
visited Concordia in the early 1900s. Records are mixed, but the date is placed between 1908 and 1910. The Concordia Blade newspaper (now the Concordia Blade-Empire
) reported:
A major geographic change in the city and the area occurred on July 9, 1902. The Republican River
flooded near town and broke a dam. The flooding resulted in re-routing the river by 1/4 of a mile.
The year of 1912 brought a major blizzard to Concordia with snow so deep that a Union Pacific train became stuck northeast of town and snowbanks on main street piled as high as peoples' heads. Also in 1912, the first official inspection team for Meridian Highway (now US-81) came through Concordia on their tour from Canada
to Mexico
. In 1913, the Missouri Pacific Railway depot
was rebuilt after a fire destroyed the old building.
Another flood took place on June 20, 1915. Damage from the flood was significant but not as wide-sweeping as the flood of 1902.
Concordia is located at 39°34′9"N 97°39′30"W (39.569035, -97.658398) and is at an elevation of 1,378 feet (420 m). It lies on the south side of the Republican River
in the Smoky Hills
region of the Great Plains
. Lost Creek, a tributary of the Republican, flows north along the western edge of the city. Located in north-central Kansas at the intersection of U.S. Route 81
and K-9
, Concordia is approximately 125 miles (202 km) north of Wichita
, 149 miles (240 km) southwest of Omaha
, and 169 miles (277 km) west-northwest of Kansas City
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), all of it land.
and humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa)
, Concordia experiences hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The average temperature in Concordia is 54 °F (12 °C), and, on average, the city receives 28.4 inches (722 mm) of precipitation per year. Snowfall averages 22.2 inches (564 mm) per year. On average, January is the coolest month, July is the warmest month, and May is the wettest month. The hottest temperature recorded in Concordia was 116 °F (47 °C) in 1936; the coldest temperature recorded was -33 °F (-36 °C) in 1886.
was 1,689.0 people per square mile (652.7/km²). There were 2,671 housing units at an average density of 789.5 per square mile (305.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.90% White, 0.58% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.14% from other races
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.
There were 2,310 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 23.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,398, and the median income for a family was $40,389. Males had a median income of $27,764 versus $20,885 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,019. About 7.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
According to the census ( estimate), Concordia is the most populous city in the county and of all six adjacent counties.
for the Kansas National Guard
. There also are federal offices and buildings common to small communities such as the United States Post Office.
, a two-year junior college
. Other post-secondary schools in Concordia's history are Concordia Normal School
and Concordia Business College.
provides public education in the city. Education for grades K-6 are completed in the district across several buildings. Public secondary education for grades 7-12 is completed at Concordia Junior-Senior High School
. Class sizes typically range between 80 to 120 students. The school district also runs the Cloud County Alternative High School, primarily for area non-traditional students. Students can earn their diploma online or through computer-based classes. Enrollment is very small, typically graduating less than ten students each year.
The Catholic Church in Concordia operated Notre Dame High School a private Catholic High School from 1962 to 1969. It remained open as a Catholic grade school until 1971, when the local district purchased the property and has used it for fifth and sixth grades under the name Concordia Middle School.
, a public library named for former Kansas governor Frank Carlson
.
(CNK). Blosser Municipal Airport is publicly owned by the City of Concordia. The National Weather Service
and the Kansas National Guard
maintain facilities at this location.
is the official county newspaper and publishes its edition five days a week from its location in Concordia.
Radio stations KNCK (1390 AM) and KNCK-FM (94.9 FM) operate from the same broadcasting facility in Concordia and are privately owned. Radio station KVCO
(88.3 FM) operates as a broadcast journalism project by Cloud County Community College in Concordia. KVCO is publicly owned and operated by the school.
In November 1905, Concordia resident Colonel Napoleon Bonaparte Brown
announced to the townspeople his plans to build the Brown Grand Theatre
, a fully outfitted opera house for Concordia. Renowned Kansas City
theater architect Carl Boller
was hired to prepare the design drawings and the blueprints. Restored to its original 1907 state, the 650 seat Brown Grand Theatre now serves as a tourist attraction and performing arts/community center for Concordia and North Central Kansas.
Camp Concordia
, a prisoner of war
camp for captured Germans, was maintained a few miles north of Concordia during World War II
. The original guard house remains and has been restored.
The Cloud County Historical Museum
preserves and exhibits objects and documents of historical items representing early-day Kansas. It is housed in the former 1908 Andrew Carnegie
Library building and a large newer annex. Cloud County, Kansas
artifacts exhibited for viewing include items relating to nature, radio, railroads, quilts, photography, toys, vintage clothing
and furniture, musical instruments, fossils, tools, and stained glass. The museum is also home of one of the largest hand carved brick murals. Records are on display of the military Prisoner of War Camp, churches, organizations, schools, and businesses. Displays of glass cutting, rare coins and books, rock and gem shop, micro-film of county newspapers and many others too numerous to list. Large displays in the annex include the 1908 Lincoln-Page Airplane, an 1898 Holsman belt driven horseless carriage, and a 1915 Ford Model T.
The Cloud County Veterans Memorial
is housed in the courthouse block of Concordia. The memorial includes an "eternal flame" that has been burning since the monument was established on November 11, 1968.
Concordia is the home of the national Orphan Train
complex, housed in the restored historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot
. The complex currently houses a museum and research center dedicated to the preservation of the stories and artifacts of those who were part of the Orphan Train Movement from 1854-1929.
The Nazareth Convent and Academy
is the official Motherhouse and Home for the 260 Sisters of St. Joseph
of Concordia. It was built in 1903 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
. The sisters at Nazareth earned a reputation for their education of young women, giving them a sound academic program and instruction in the fine arts, music, French, and the social graces. In 1903, the Sisters of St. Joseph entered the health care field in Concordia with the establishment of the St. Joseph Hospital
on the original site after the new Nazareth Motherhouse was built at its present location.
The most common historic bridge visited is the Republican River Pegram Truss
, a three-span through truss bridge
built in 1893 for the Union Pacific Railway. As of 2007, the bridge is used for local automobile traffic. Other bridges in the area are the County Line Bowstring
bridge near Hollis
and the Pott's Ford Bridge
near Glasco
. All three bridges are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Concordia claims the title "The Stained Glass
Capital of Kansas" and a tour of local stained glass pieces has been established. Although common in houses of worship, many private residences also have quality stained glass installed and available for viewing on the tour.
, quail
, and dove
) attracts a large number of people from all over the world. Opening Day of hunting season is an especially active day for Concordia as it brings a large number of visitors and a boost to the local economy.
The city of Concordia has complementary overnight camping available at Airport Park, one of several city parks. Airport Park is located at the Blosser Municipal Airport
.
made famous by Garth Brooks
mentions a bar called "The Oasis" that is named after a now-closed establishment in Concordia.
Schools
Newspaper
Travel
Maps
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Cloud County
Cloud County, Kansas
Cloud County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,533. Its county seat and most populous city is Concordia.-19th century:...
, Kansas, United States. Located on the Republican River
Republican River
The Republican River is a river in the central Great Plains of North America, flowing through the U.S. states of Nebraska and Kansas.-Geography:...
in the Smoky Hills
Smoky Hills
The Smoky Hills are an upland region of hills in the central Great Plains of North America. They are located in the central United States, encompassing north-central Kansas and a small portion of south-central Nebraska. The hills are a dissected plain covered by tallgrass and mixed-grass prairie...
region of the Great Plains, Concordia was founded in 1871 and is an economic and cultural center in north-central Kansas
North Central Kansas
North Central Kansas is a tourism and geographical region of the state of Kansas. The west counties are Smith, Osborne and Russell counties. The southern counties extend to Russell, Ellsworth, Saline and Dickinson...
. Among other points of interest, Concordia is the home of the Brown Grand Theatre
Brown Grand Theatre
The Brown Grand Theatre is a community-based historical theatre dedicated to enhancing cultural life in North Central Kansas in the United States. The theatre is a majestic opera house located in Concordia, Kansas and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places...
, Cloud County Community College
Cloud County Community College
Cloud County Community College is a two-year public community college with campuses in Concordia, Kansas population 5,395, and Junction City, Kansas, United States population 23,353.-Concordia campus:...
, and the Nazareth Convent and Academy
Nazareth Convent and Academy
The Nazareth Convent and Academy in Concordia, Kansas is the official Motherhouse and Home for the 160 Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia. It was built in 1903 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places...
. It was also the home of Kansas Governor
Governor of Kansas
The Governor of the State of Kansas is the head of state for the State of Kansas, United States. Under the Kansas Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Kansas executive branch, of the government of Kansas. The Governor is the...
and U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Frank Carlson
Frank Carlson
Frank Carlson was an American politician who served as the 30th Governor of Kansas and United States Representative and United States Senator from Kansas.-Biography:...
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 5,395.
19th century
Concordia holds the distinction of being elected the county seatCounty seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
before the town was created. The founder of the town, James M. Hagaman
James Manney Hagaman
James Manney Hagaman 1830 - January 18, 1904 was a lawyer, land agent, newspaper editor, and the founder of Concordia, Kansas. He and his wife settled in what is now Cloud County in 1860...
had created a complete layout of the town on paper including streets, blocks, courthouse, and parks. The name "Concordia" was chosen because a member of the early group of promoters ("Cap" Snyder) had once lived in Concordia, Missouri
Concordia, Missouri
Concordia is a city in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,360 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Concordia is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,360...
.
December 1869 was the first election for the county seat with Concordia, Clyde
Clyde, Kansas
Clyde is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 716. Clyde is named for Clyde, Ohio and was originally known as Hamilton.-Geography:Clyde is located at...
and the now defunct town Sibley
Sibley, Kansas
Sibley was a settlement in Cloud County, Kansas, United States north of Concordia and the Republican River. It was once in the running for the county seat but lost in a 1870 run-off election against Concordia. The area is now abandoned as a town and the land is privately owned and used for farming...
. Without a clear majority, a second election was held between Concordia and Sibley on January 4, 1870. Concordia was declared the winner over Sibley 165 votes to 129.
It was over a year later when Concordia officially became a town when the Republican Land District Office opened on January 16, 1871. The Concordia Land Office continued until February 28, 1889 when it was consolidated with the land office in Topeka, Kansas
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka |Kansa]]: Tó Pee Kuh) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is situated along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
.
Also in 1871, Concordia elected its first mayor, R. E. Allen. Under his leadership, Concordia was officially incorporated as a third class city under Kansas law in August 1872.
Concordia was visited in its early years by many traveling shows. As early as 1876 various traveling entertainers including Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill Cody, Ringling Brothers
Ringling brothers
The Ringling brothers were seven siblings who transformed their small touring company of performers into one of America's largest circuses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in McGregor, Iowa and raised in Baraboo, Wisconsin, they were the children of Heinrich Friedrich August Ringling...
, and others came to Concordia. In 1892, the Ringling train wrecked east of the town killing two men and twenty horses, but the show played the next day to a crowd of 4,000.
The first schoolteacher to teach inside the city limits was Milo Stevens, who was paid a salary of twenty dollars per month. A state normal school
Normal school
A normal school is a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose is to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name...
was set up in Concordia in 1874 with F. E. Robinson as principal and former state Superintendent H. D. McCarty became president the second year. In 1876 the state ceased to provide funding and the school was closed.
In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City
Strong City, Kansas
Strong City is a city in Chase County, Kansas, United States. It is named after William Barstow Strong, former president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 485.-19th century:...
) through Concordia to Superior, Nebraska
Superior, Nebraska
Superior is a city in Nuckolls County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,957.Superior bills itself as the "Victorian Capital of Nebraska", and holds an annual Victorian Festival...
. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
merged with Burlington Northern Railroad
Burlington Northern Railroad
The Burlington Northern Railroad was a United States-based railroad company formed from a merger of four major U.S. railroads. Burlington Northern operated between 1970 and 1996....
and renamed to the current BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".
In 1897, Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...
founded the Roman Catholic Diocese of Concordia, Kansas
Roman Catholic Diocese of Concordia, Kansas
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Concordia was founded on August 2, 1887, by Pope Leo XIII. On December 23, 1947, the Diocese was renamed the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina. In 1995, the Diocese of Concordia was restored as a titular see.-Notes:...
. The diocese operated until 1947 when it was merged with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina
Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina is a Roman Catholic diocese covering thirty-one counties in Kansas. The episcopal see is in Salina, Kansas...
. It was later restored as a titular see in 1995.
20th century
Carrie NationCarrie Nation
Carrie Amelia Moore Nation was a member of the temperance movement, which opposed alcohol in pre-Prohibition America. She is particularly noteworthy for promoting her viewpoint through vandalism. On many occasions Nation would enter an alcohol-serving establishment and attack the bar with a hatchet...
visited Concordia in the early 1900s. Records are mixed, but the date is placed between 1908 and 1910. The Concordia Blade newspaper (now the Concordia Blade-Empire
Concordia Blade-Empire
The Concordia Blade-Empire is a local newspaper for Concordia, Kansas. It is the official newspaper for Cloud County, Kansas. The paper publishes five days a week, Monday through Friday.-History:...
) reported:
"Carrie Nation is in town. That wonderfully brave little woman who started the crusade against Kansas saloons lectured at the M.E. Church this afternoon, and will talk again tonight at the courthouse. While in this city she is the guest of Mrs. George Mohr."
Republican River
The Republican River is a river in the central Great Plains of North America, flowing through the U.S. states of Nebraska and Kansas.-Geography:...
flooded near town and broke a dam. The flooding resulted in re-routing the river by 1/4 of a mile.
The year of 1912 brought a major blizzard to Concordia with snow so deep that a Union Pacific train became stuck northeast of town and snowbanks on main street piled as high as peoples' heads. Also in 1912, the first official inspection team for Meridian Highway (now US-81) came through Concordia on their tour from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. In 1913, the Missouri Pacific Railway depot
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
was rebuilt after a fire destroyed the old building.
Another flood took place on June 20, 1915. Damage from the flood was significant but not as wide-sweeping as the flood of 1902.
Geography
Republican River
The Republican River is a river in the central Great Plains of North America, flowing through the U.S. states of Nebraska and Kansas.-Geography:...
in the Smoky Hills
Smoky Hills
The Smoky Hills are an upland region of hills in the central Great Plains of North America. They are located in the central United States, encompassing north-central Kansas and a small portion of south-central Nebraska. The hills are a dissected plain covered by tallgrass and mixed-grass prairie...
region of the Great Plains
Great Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
. Lost Creek, a tributary of the Republican, flows north along the western edge of the city. Located in north-central Kansas at the intersection of U.S. Route 81
U.S. Route 81
U.S. Route 81 is one of the many United States Numbered Highways established in 1926 by the US Department of Agriculture Bureau of Public Roads....
and K-9
K-9 (Kansas highway)
K-9 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Kansas. The highway goes east–west through Kansas. It has its western terminus south of Dresden at an intersection with K-123 and an eastern terminus at its junction with U.S. Route 73 near Lancaster....
, Concordia is approximately 125 miles (202 km) north of Wichita
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, 149 miles (240 km) southwest of Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, and 169 miles (277 km) west-northwest of Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), all of it land.
Climate
Lying in the transition zone between North America's humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa)Humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
and humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa)
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
, Concordia experiences hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The average temperature in Concordia is 54 °F (12 °C), and, on average, the city receives 28.4 inches (722 mm) of precipitation per year. Snowfall averages 22.2 inches (564 mm) per year. On average, January is the coolest month, July is the warmest month, and May is the wettest month. The hottest temperature recorded in Concordia was 116 °F (47 °C) in 1936; the coldest temperature recorded was -33 °F (-36 °C) in 1886.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,714 people, 2,310 households, and 1,399 families residing in the city. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,689.0 people per square mile (652.7/km²). There were 2,671 housing units at an average density of 789.5 per square mile (305.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.90% White, 0.58% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.14% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.
There were 2,310 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 23.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,398, and the median income for a family was $40,389. Males had a median income of $27,764 versus $20,885 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,019. About 7.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
According to the census ( estimate), Concordia is the most populous city in the county and of all six adjacent counties.
Government
City government
The Concordia city government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30PM. Other government facilities include city services such as water, sewer, police, and fire departments.Other government services
Concordia holds other government services in its city limits. The town is home to various county services such as the county sheriff and county court house as well as state government buildings including an armoryArmory
Armory or armoury may mean:*Armory , a military location used for the storage of arms and ammunition*Armory , the study of coats of arms*Armory , a Marvel Comics character...
for the Kansas National Guard
Kansas National Guard
The Kansas National Guard, is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of Kansas. It comprises both the Kansas Army National Guard and the Kansas Air National Guard. The Governor of Kansas is Commander-in-Chief of the Kansas National Guard when in state use...
. There also are federal offices and buildings common to small communities such as the United States Post Office.
Colleges and universities
Concordia is the location of Cloud County Community CollegeCloud County Community College
Cloud County Community College is a two-year public community college with campuses in Concordia, Kansas population 5,395, and Junction City, Kansas, United States population 23,353.-Concordia campus:...
, a two-year junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
. Other post-secondary schools in Concordia's history are Concordia Normal School
Concordia Normal School
Concordia Normal School located in Concordia, Kansas was a state-funded normal school operated by the Kansas state government from 1874 until 1876....
and Concordia Business College.
Primary and secondary education
Concordia USD 333Concordia USD 333
The Concordia Unified School District is one of three school districts in Cloud County, Kansas. , the district comprises 2 high schools, 1 junior high school, 1 middle school, and 2 elementary schools....
provides public education in the city. Education for grades K-6 are completed in the district across several buildings. Public secondary education for grades 7-12 is completed at Concordia Junior-Senior High School
Concordia Junior-Senior High School
Concordia Junior-Senior High School is located in Concordia, Kansas and is a part of Unified School District #333. It is called the "Junior-Senior" high school because the junior high school and senior high school are housed in the same building complex.-Junior High, Senior High, and Middle...
. Class sizes typically range between 80 to 120 students. The school district also runs the Cloud County Alternative High School, primarily for area non-traditional students. Students can earn their diploma online or through computer-based classes. Enrollment is very small, typically graduating less than ten students each year.
The Catholic Church in Concordia operated Notre Dame High School a private Catholic High School from 1962 to 1969. It remained open as a Catholic grade school until 1971, when the local district purchased the property and has used it for fifth and sixth grades under the name Concordia Middle School.
Libraries
Concordia is home to the Frank Carlson LibraryFrank Carlson Library
The Frank Carlson Library is a public library in Concordia, Kansas. The library is named for former Governor of Kansas, Congressman, and Senator Frank Carlson, a long-time resident of Concordia. The library was constructed in 1976.-Special items:...
, a public library named for former Kansas governor Frank Carlson
Frank Carlson
Frank Carlson was an American politician who served as the 30th Governor of Kansas and United States Representative and United States Senator from Kansas.-Biography:...
.
Transportation
Concordia is the host of Blosser Municipal AirportBlosser Municipal Airport
Blosser Municipal Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located two miles south of the central business district of Concordia, in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. The airport was named after Charles H. Blosser, a longtime Concordia resident, aviation enthusiast, and former city mayor...
(CNK). Blosser Municipal Airport is publicly owned by the City of Concordia. The National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
and the Kansas National Guard
Kansas National Guard
The Kansas National Guard, is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of Kansas. It comprises both the Kansas Army National Guard and the Kansas Air National Guard. The Governor of Kansas is Commander-in-Chief of the Kansas National Guard when in state use...
maintain facilities at this location.
Media
The Concordia Blade-EmpireConcordia Blade-Empire
The Concordia Blade-Empire is a local newspaper for Concordia, Kansas. It is the official newspaper for Cloud County, Kansas. The paper publishes five days a week, Monday through Friday.-History:...
is the official county newspaper and publishes its edition five days a week from its location in Concordia.
Radio stations KNCK (1390 AM) and KNCK-FM (94.9 FM) operate from the same broadcasting facility in Concordia and are privately owned. Radio station KVCO
KVCO
KVCO is a radio station licensed to serve Concordia, Kansas. The station is owned and operated by Cloud County Community College. It airs an active rock/college radio format....
(88.3 FM) operates as a broadcast journalism project by Cloud County Community College in Concordia. KVCO is publicly owned and operated by the school.
Points of interest
Napoleon Bonaparte Brown
Napoleon Bonaparte Brown was a soldier, businessman, philanthropist, politician, and resident of Kansas and Missouri in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is most known as the namesake and builder of the Brown Grand Theatre in Concordia, Kansas, a majestic opera house completed in 1907...
announced to the townspeople his plans to build the Brown Grand Theatre
Brown Grand Theatre
The Brown Grand Theatre is a community-based historical theatre dedicated to enhancing cultural life in North Central Kansas in the United States. The theatre is a majestic opera house located in Concordia, Kansas and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places...
, a fully outfitted opera house for Concordia. Renowned Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
theater architect Carl Boller
Boller Brothers
Boller Brothers, also spelled as Boller Bros., was an architectural firm based in Kansas City, Missouri which specialized in theater design in the Midwest of the United States during the first half of the 20th century...
was hired to prepare the design drawings and the blueprints. Restored to its original 1907 state, the 650 seat Brown Grand Theatre now serves as a tourist attraction and performing arts/community center for Concordia and North Central Kansas.
Camp Concordia
Camp Concordia
Camp Concordia was a Prisoner-of-war camp that operated from 1943-1945. Its location is two miles north and one mile east of Concordia, Kansas...
, a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
camp for captured Germans, was maintained a few miles north of Concordia during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The original guard house remains and has been restored.
The Cloud County Historical Museum
Cloud County Historical Museum
The Cloud County Historical Museum is located in Concordia, Kansas. The Museum preserves and exhibits objects and documents of historical items representing early-day Kansas...
preserves and exhibits objects and documents of historical items representing early-day Kansas. It is housed in the former 1908 Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
Library building and a large newer annex. Cloud County, Kansas
Cloud County, Kansas
Cloud County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,533. Its county seat and most populous city is Concordia.-19th century:...
artifacts exhibited for viewing include items relating to nature, radio, railroads, quilts, photography, toys, vintage clothing
Vintage clothing
Vintage clothing is a generic term for new or second hand garments originating from a previous era. The phrase is also used in connection with a retail outlet, e.g...
and furniture, musical instruments, fossils, tools, and stained glass. The museum is also home of one of the largest hand carved brick murals. Records are on display of the military Prisoner of War Camp, churches, organizations, schools, and businesses. Displays of glass cutting, rare coins and books, rock and gem shop, micro-film of county newspapers and many others too numerous to list. Large displays in the annex include the 1908 Lincoln-Page Airplane, an 1898 Holsman belt driven horseless carriage, and a 1915 Ford Model T.
The Cloud County Veterans Memorial
Cloud County Veterans Memorial
The Cloud County Veterans Memorial is a monument located in Concordia, Kansas. The memorial includes an "eternal flame" that has been burning since the monument was established on November 11, 1968. The memorial is located in the northwest corner of the county courthouse square.The engraved...
is housed in the courthouse block of Concordia. The memorial includes an "eternal flame" that has been burning since the monument was established on November 11, 1968.
Concordia is the home of the national Orphan Train
Orphan Train
The Orphan Train was a social experiment that transported children from crowded coastal cities of the United States to the country's Midwest for adoption. The orphan trains ran between 1854 and 1929, relocating an estimated 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children...
complex, housed in the restored historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot
Union Pacific Railroad Depot (Concordia, Kansas)
The Union Pacific Railroad Depot in Concordia, Kansas, is a historic railroad depot that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is one of many built by the Union Pacific Railroad to assist with the company's growth across the United States.-Restoration and current...
. The complex currently houses a museum and research center dedicated to the preservation of the stories and artifacts of those who were part of the Orphan Train Movement from 1854-1929.
The Nazareth Convent and Academy
Nazareth Convent and Academy
The Nazareth Convent and Academy in Concordia, Kansas is the official Motherhouse and Home for the 160 Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia. It was built in 1903 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places...
is the official Motherhouse and Home for the 260 Sisters of St. Joseph
Sisters of St. Joseph
The title Sisters of St. Joseph applies to several Roman Catholic religious congregations of women. The largest and oldest of these was founded in Le Puy-en-Velay, France...
of Concordia. It was built in 1903 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The sisters at Nazareth earned a reputation for their education of young women, giving them a sound academic program and instruction in the fine arts, music, French, and the social graces. In 1903, the Sisters of St. Joseph entered the health care field in Concordia with the establishment of the St. Joseph Hospital
Cloud County Health Center
Cloud County Health Center is a medical facility located in Concordia, Kansas. The health center was originally founded as St. Joseph's Hospital in 1903 by the Nazareth Convent and Academy in Concordia . In 1995, ownership was transferred from the Sisters of St...
on the original site after the new Nazareth Motherhouse was built at its present location.
The most common historic bridge visited is the Republican River Pegram Truss
Republican River Pegram Truss
The Republican River Pegram Truss is a bridge located near Concordia, Kansas that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a three-span through truss bridge over the Republican River on route 795, northeast of Concordia...
, a three-span through truss bridge
Truss bridge
A truss bridge is a bridge composed of connected elements which may be stressed from tension, compression, or sometimes both in response to dynamic loads. Truss bridges are one of the oldest types of modern bridges...
built in 1893 for the Union Pacific Railway. As of 2007, the bridge is used for local automobile traffic. Other bridges in the area are the County Line Bowstring
County Line Bowstring
County Line Bowstring is a bridge located near unincorporated Hollis, Kansas, United States that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It spans West Creek on the border between Cloud and Republic counties and has a wooden deck with a bowstring pony truss.The bridge was built in...
bridge near Hollis
Hollis, Kansas
Hollis is an unincorporated rural area in Cloud County, Kansas, United States.-History:thumb|right|1909 tornado damageA tornado hit Hollis on May 14, 1909 at five o'clock in the evening...
and the Pott's Ford Bridge
Pott's Ford Bridge
Pott's Ford Bridge is a bridge 1/2 mile south of Glasco, Kansas, USA that spans West Creek in Cloud County, Kansas. It has a wooden deck with a bowstring pony truss. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places...
near Glasco
Glasco, Kansas
Glasco is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 498.-History:The land that now makes up Glasco was part of a land grant from the U.S. Government to Isaac Biggs, one of the earliest pioneers. Glasco was originally incorporated as "The Dell...
. All three bridges are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Concordia claims the title "The Stained Glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
Capital of Kansas" and a tour of local stained glass pieces has been established. Although common in houses of worship, many private residences also have quality stained glass installed and available for viewing on the tour.
Parks and recreation
Small game hunting (particularly game birds such as pheasantPheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
, quail
Quail
Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally considered in the order Galliformes. Old World quail are found in the family Phasianidae, while New World quail are found in the family Odontophoridae...
, and dove
Dove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
) attracts a large number of people from all over the world. Opening Day of hunting season is an especially active day for Concordia as it brings a large number of visitors and a boost to the local economy.
The city of Concordia has complementary overnight camping available at Airport Park, one of several city parks. Airport Park is located at the Blosser Municipal Airport
Blosser Municipal Airport
Blosser Municipal Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located two miles south of the central business district of Concordia, in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. The airport was named after Charles H. Blosser, a longtime Concordia resident, aviation enthusiast, and former city mayor...
.
Notable people
- Charles H. BlosserCharles H. BlosserCharles H. Blosser was the namesake of Blosser Municipal Airport in Concordia, Kansas. A longtime airplane enthusiast, Blosser owned and ran the airport privately until transferring it to the city of Concordia.-Aviation accomplishments:...
, local businessman and namesake of Blosser Municipal AirportBlosser Municipal AirportBlosser Municipal Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located two miles south of the central business district of Concordia, in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. The airport was named after Charles H. Blosser, a longtime Concordia resident, aviation enthusiast, and former city mayor...
in Concordia - Tom BrosiusTom BrosiusTom Brosius is a former Track and field athlete and coach. He was declared an "All-American" at Kansas State University in the shot put and discus events for the 1972 season, and as of completion of the 2011 season, still holds the Maryland high school record in the shot put at 64' 6 1/2" and held...
, track and field athlete - Napoleon Bonaparte BrownNapoleon Bonaparte BrownNapoleon Bonaparte Brown was a soldier, businessman, philanthropist, politician, and resident of Kansas and Missouri in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is most known as the namesake and builder of the Brown Grand Theatre in Concordia, Kansas, a majestic opera house completed in 1907...
, local businessman and philanthropist, namesake of the Brown Grand TheatreBrown Grand TheatreThe Brown Grand Theatre is a community-based historical theatre dedicated to enhancing cultural life in North Central Kansas in the United States. The theatre is a majestic opera house located in Concordia, Kansas and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places...
in Concordia - Greg BrummettGreg BrummettGregory Scott "Spike" Brummett is a former right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played for the San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins in 1993....
, Professional baseball player in the 1990s. Pitched for the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. Now the head baseball coach at Cloud County Community CollegeCloud County Community CollegeCloud County Community College is a two-year public community college with campuses in Concordia, Kansas population 5,395, and Junction City, Kansas, United States population 23,353.-Concordia campus:...
. - Frank CarlsonFrank CarlsonFrank Carlson was an American politician who served as the 30th Governor of Kansas and United States Representative and United States Senator from Kansas.-Biography:...
, former CongressmanUnited States CongressThe United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, and Governor of KansasGovernor of KansasThe Governor of the State of Kansas is the head of state for the State of Kansas, United States. Under the Kansas Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Kansas executive branch, of the government of Kansas. The Governor is the... - Most Reverend Charles Joseph Chaput, OFM CapCharles J. ChaputCharles Joseph Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He is the ninth and current Archbishop of Philadelphia, serving since his installation on September 8, 2011. He previously served as Archbishop of Denver and Bishop of Rapid City .Chaput is a professed Capuchin and...
, archbishopArchbishopAn archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... - Keith ChristensenKeith ChristensenKeith "Pinky" Christensen was a college and professional football player in the United States. Christiensen played at offensive tackle at the University of Kansas where he was coached first by Jack Mitchell and later by Pepper Rodgers....
, former NFL football player New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... - Boston CorbettBoston CorbettThomas P. "Boston" Corbett was the Union Army soldier who shot and killed Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. He disappeared after 1888, but circumstantial evidence suggests that he died in the Great Hinckley Fire in 1894, although this remains impossible to substantiate.-Early...
, Union American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
soldier, famous for shooting John Wilkes BoothJohn Wilkes BoothJohn Wilkes Booth was an American stage actor who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 1865. Booth was a member of the prominent 19th century Booth theatrical family from Maryland and, by the 1860s, was a well-known actor...
, the man who assassinated Abraham LincolnAbraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and... - Billy DewellBilly DewellWilliam Austin Dewell was an American football player. He was a part of the Chicago Cardinals NFL championship team in 1947....
, former NFL football player Chicago Cardinals - Mike GardnerMike Gardner (football coach)-Playing career:Gardner played college football for NAIA school Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas from 1986 to 1990, where he held a school record 53 yard field goal that was broken in 2007...
, collegiate head football coach at Tabor CollegeTabor College, KansasTabor College is a four-year Christian liberal arts college in Hillsboro, Kansas, United States. It was founded in 1908 by members of the Mennonite Brethren and Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Christian churches...
and later at Malone University - Jared GoedertJared GoedertJared Paul Goedert , is an American professional baseball player. An infielder, Goedert plays in the Cleveland Indians organization of Major League Baseball. He has yet to make his MLB debut....
, Professional Baseball Player in for the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... - Jim GarverJim GarverJim Garver is a country music guitarist. Garver is credited with naming the bar "The Oaisis" in the song Friends in Low Places made famous by Garth Brooks.-External links:...
, guitarist for Garth BrooksGarth BrooksTroyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart... - Larry HartshornLarry HartshornLarry LeRoy "Rube" Hartshorn was a former NFL Offensive Guard who played for the Chicago Cardinals in 1955 and 1957. He later played in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders in 1958....
, former NFL football player Chicago Cardinals - Pop HollingerPop HollingerHarvey T. "Pop" Hollinger was one of the first comic book collectors. He set up his retail and mail order shop for new and used comics in Concordia, Kansas in the late 1930s.-Early life:...
, one of the first comic bookComic bookA comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
collectors of all time - Tim McCartyTim McCartyTim McCarty is an American college football coach. Since 2009, he is the head football coach at East Central University. His previous position was as the assistant head football coach at Kansas State University...
, Head football coach at East Central University - Robert E. PearsonRobert E. PearsonRobert E. Pearson is a movie director, writer, a painter. He was involved in over 100 films.-Early life:When Pearson was twelve years old, he left his hometown of Concordia, Kansas on a three-year trek to California to get into show business...
, movie director - Ernie QuigleyErnie QuigleyErnest Cosmos "Ernie" Quigley was a Canadian-born American sports official who became notable both as a basketball referee and as an umpire in Major League Baseball...
, professional basketball refereeOfficial (basketball)In basketball, an official is a person who has the responsibility to enforce the rules and maintain the order of the game. The title of official also applies to the scorers and timekeepers, as well as other personnel that have an active task in maintaining the game...
and an umpireUmpire (baseball)In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
in Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League... - Jason Rees, professional baseball player in the Israel Baseball LeagueIsrael baseball leagueThe Israel Baseball League was a six-team professional baseball league in Israel. The first game was played on June 24, 2007...
- Marilyn SchrefflerMarilyn SchrefflerMarilyn Schreffler was an American actress, who provided voice-overs for several animated TV programs, mostly for Hanna-Barbera Productions.-Life:Born in Concordia, Kansas, and had an affinity for cartoons since age 6...
, American actress who provided voice-overs for several animated TV programs - Shanele StiresShanele StiresShanele Marie Stires is a former collegiate and professional women's basketball player. She is currently a junior assistant coach with the San Diego State Aztecs....
, Former WNBA basketball player Minnesota LynxMinnesota LynxThe Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
and college basketball coach - Deanell Reece TachaDeanell Reece TachaDeanell Reece Tacha is a retired United States federal judge who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit....
, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit - Kaye VaughanKaye VaughanCharles Kaye Vaughan is a former Canadian Football League and Hall of Fame player with the Ottawa Rough Riders who won the CFL's Outstanding Lineman Award in 1956 and 1957....
, former Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
and Hall of Fame playerCanadian Football Hall of FameThe Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
with the Ottawa Rough RidersOttawa Rough RidersThe Ottawa Rough Riders were a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 1876. One of the oldest and longest lived professional sports teams in North America, the Rough Riders won the Grey Cup championship nine times. Their most dominant era was the 1960s and 1970s, a...
, winner CFL's Outstanding Lineman Award
Popular culture
The song Friends in Low PlacesFriends in Low Places
"Friends in Low Places" is a song released by American country music artist Garth Brooks. It was the first single from his second album, No Fences. The song spent four weeks at #1 on the U.S...
made famous by Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks
Troyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
mentions a bar called "The Oasis" that is named after a now-closed establishment in Concordia.
Further reading
- Bell, Rachel Lowrey (1998a). A Proud Past... A Pictorial History of Concordia, Kansas, Marceline, Missouri: D-Books Publishing.
- Emery, Janet Pease (1970a). It Takes People to Make a Town, Salina, Kansas: Arrow Printing Company. Library of Congress number 75-135688.
- History of the State of Kansas; William G. Cutler; A.T. Andreas Publisher; 1883. (Online HTML eBook)
- Kansas : A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; 3 Volumes; Frank W. Blackmar; Standard Publishing Co; 944 / 955 / 824 pages; 1912. (Volume1 - Download 54MB PDF eBook),(Volume2 - Download 53MB PDF eBook), (Volume3 - Download 33MB PDF eBook)
External links
CitySchools
- USD 333, local school district
Newspaper
- Concordia Blade-Empire, newspaper
Travel
Maps
- Concordia City Map, KDOT
- Cloud County Map, KDOT