Strong City, Kansas
Encyclopedia
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.
extended a main line from Emporia
to Newton
. Strong City originated in March 1871 when the railway was completed to the point then known as Cottonwood Station. In February 1881, a petition was signed by a majority of the citizens, to change the name to Strong, in honor of William Barstow Strong General Superintendent, and later President of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
. In 1945, "City" was added to the name Strong.
In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska
. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick
, Lost Springs
, Jacobs, Hope
, Navarre
, Enterprise
, Abilene
, Talmage
, Manchester
, Longford
, Oak Hill
, Miltonvale
, Aurora
, Huscher
, Concordia
, Kackley
, Courtland
, Webber
, Superior
. At some point, the line from Neva to Lost Springs
was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line".
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".
, the city has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land. The Cottonwood River is approximately 0.5 miles west of the city, and an old channel of the river is next to the south-west corner of the city.
(NRHP).
of 2000, there were 584 people, 247 households, and 163 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,084.3 people per square mile (417.6/km²). There were 287 housing units at an average density of 532.9 per square mile (205.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.77% White, 1.03% African American, 0.17% Asian, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.37% of the population.
There were 247 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples
living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 110.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,192, and the median income for a family was $35,833. Males had a median income of $23,523 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,807. About 5.8% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
The center of population
of Kansas is located 4.5 miles north of Strong City http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt at 38°27′15"N 96°32′10"W.
Strong City is part of the Emporia
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
284. All students attend schools in Cottonwood Falls
.
pass east-west through the city. K-177
highway passes north-south through the city.
Strong City surprised many communities when it announced its intentions to apply for an Amtrak station on Amtrak's proposed extension of the Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Kansas City, Missouri. If the town should receive a station it would be one of the smallest towns in the Amtrak system to have a station.
Schools
Historical
Maps
Chase County, Kansas
Chase County is a county located in Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,790. Its county seat and most populous city is Cottonwood Falls. Chase County is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.The county has been the subject...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is named after William Barstow Strong, former president of 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...
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 485.
19th century
In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe RailwayAtchison, 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...
extended a main line from Emporia
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
to Newton
Newton, Kansas
Newton is a city in and the county seat of Harvey County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 19,132. Newton is located north of Wichita and is included in the Wichita metropolitan statistical area...
. Strong City originated in March 1871 when the railway was completed to the point then known as Cottonwood Station. In February 1881, a petition was signed by a majority of the citizens, to change the name to Strong, in honor of William Barstow Strong General Superintendent, and later President of 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...
. In 1945, "City" was added to the name Strong.
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) 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...
. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick
Burdick, Kansas
Burdick is an unincorporated community in southwestern Morris County, Kansas, United States. It lies along local roads south-southwest of the city of Council Grove, the county seat of Morris County. Its elevation is 1,453 feet , and it is located at...
, Lost Springs
Lost Springs, Kansas
Lost Springs is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. It was named for the old lost spring near the city. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 70.-19th century:...
, Jacobs, Hope
Hope, Kansas
Hope is a city in southern Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 368. The motto of Hope is "There Will Always Be Hope In Kansas", which is also the name of a song.-History:...
, Navarre
Navarre, Kansas
Navarre is a small unincorporated community in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. The post office was established February 7, 1884, and discontinued September 3, 1971.-History:...
, Enterprise
Enterprise, Kansas
Enterprise is a city in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 855.-History:On January 10, 1883, the Enterprise Town Company, capital $50,000, was organized. The following officers were elected: V. P. Wilson, president; John Johntz, vice-president;...
, Abilene
Abilene, Kansas
Abilene is a city in and the county seat of Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,844.-History:...
, Talmage
Talmage, Kansas
Talmage is a small unincorporated community in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. The post office was established December 22, 1887.-History:...
, Manchester
Manchester, Kansas
Manchester is a city in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 95.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Manchester to Superior, Nebraska...
, Longford
Longford, Kansas
Longford is a city in Clay County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 79.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Longford to Superior, Nebraska...
, Oak Hill
Oak Hill, Kansas
Oak Hill is a city in Clay County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Oak Hill to Superior, Nebraska...
, Miltonvale
Miltonvale, Kansas
Miltonvale is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 539.-History:Miltonvale was founded on December 1, 1881.From 1909 to 1972, it was the home of Miltonvale Wesleyan College....
, Aurora
Aurora, Kansas
Aurora is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 60.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Aurora to Superior, Nebraska...
, Huscher
Huscher, Kansas
Huscher is an unincorporated rural area in Cloud County, Kansas, United States.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Huscher to Superior, Nebraska. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad...
, Concordia
Concordia, Kansas
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...
, Kackley
Kackley, Kansas
Kackley is an unincorporated rural area in Republic County, Kansas, United States.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Kackley to Superior, Nebraska. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern...
, Courtland
Courtland, Kansas
Courtland is a city in Republic County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 285.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Courtland to Superior, Nebraska...
, Webber
Webber, Kansas
Webber is a city in Jewell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 25.-History:In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva through Webber to Superior, Nebraska...
, Superior
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...
. At some point, the line from Neva to Lost Springs
Lost Springs, Kansas
Lost Springs is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. It was named for the old lost spring near the city. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 70.-19th century:...
was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line".
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".
Geography
Strong City is located at 38°23′41"N 96°32′15"W (38.394620, -96.537491). According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land. The Cottonwood River is approximately 0.5 miles west of the city, and an old channel of the river is next to the south-west corner of the city.
Area events
- Flint Hills Rodeo, north side of U.S. Route 50 highway. 74th annual in 2010.
Area attractions
Cedar Point has four listings on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational 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...
(NRHP).
- Fox Creek Stone Arch Bridge (NRHPNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
). - Lower Fox Creek School (NRHPNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
). - Strong City Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Depot (NRHPNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
). - Strong City Opera House (NRHPNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
). - Tallgrass Prairie National PreserveTallgrass Prairie National PreserveTallgrass Prairie National Preserve is a United States National Preserve located in the Flint Hills region of Kansas, north of Strong City. The preserve protects a nationally significant example of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem...
, north on K-177K-177 (Kansas highway)K-177 is a state highway in central Kansas. It runs from US-54 near El Dorado to Manhattan, passing through the Flint Hills. It is part of the Flint Hills Scenic Byway and the Prairie Parkway.-Route description:...
highway. - Kansas Historical Marker - Chase County And The Bluestem Pasture Region Of Kansas, approximately 2 mi east on U.S. Route 50 highway.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 584 people, 247 households, and 163 families residing in the city. The population density
Population 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 1,084.3 people per square mile (417.6/km²). There were 287 housing units at an average density of 532.9 per square mile (205.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.77% White, 1.03% African American, 0.17% Asian, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.37% of the population.
There were 247 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 110.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,192, and the median income for a family was $35,833. Males had a median income of $23,523 versus $20,938 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 $13,807. About 5.8% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
The center of population
Center of population
In demographics, the center of population of a region is a geographical point that describes a centerpoint of the region's population...
of Kansas is located 4.5 miles north of Strong City http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt at 38°27′15"N 96°32′10"W.
Strong City is part of the Emporia
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Emporia micropolitan area
The Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Kansas, anchored by the city of Emporia....
.
Government
The Strong City government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7PM.- City Hall, 4th St and Chase St.
- Chase County Sheriff Department, located in Cottonwood FallsCottonwood Falls, KansasCottonwood Falls is the largest city and county seat of Chase County, Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 903.-History:-19th century:...
. - Chase County Fire Department, located in Cottonwood FallsCottonwood Falls, KansasCottonwood Falls is the largest city and county seat of Chase County, Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 903.-History:-19th century:...
. - U.S. Post Office, 309 Cottonwood St.
Primary and secondary education
Cottonwood Falls is part of Unified School DistrictUnified school district
A unified school district or unit school district is a school district which includes both primary school and high school under the same district control....
284. All students attend schools in Cottonwood Falls
Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Cottonwood Falls is the largest city and county seat of Chase County, Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 903.-History:-19th century:...
.
- Chase County Junior/Senior High SchoolChase County Junior/Senior High SchoolChase County Junior/Senior High School is a public secondary school in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, USA. It is one of two schools operated by Unified School District 284, and is the sole high school in the district.-History:...
, 600 Main St in Cottonwood FallsCottonwood Falls, KansasCottonwood Falls is the largest city and county seat of Chase County, Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 903.-History:-19th century:...
. - Chase County Elementary School, 401 Maple St in Cottonwood FallsCottonwood Falls, KansasCottonwood Falls is the largest city and county seat of Chase County, Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 903.-History:-19th century:...
.
Infrastructure
Transportation
U.S. Route 50 highway and BNSF RailwayBNSF 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...
pass east-west through the city. K-177
K-177 (Kansas highway)
K-177 is a state highway in central Kansas. It runs from US-54 near El Dorado to Manhattan, passing through the Flint Hills. It is part of the Flint Hills Scenic Byway and the Prairie Parkway.-Route description:...
highway passes north-south through the city.
Strong City surprised many communities when it announced its intentions to apply for an Amtrak station on Amtrak's proposed extension of the Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Kansas City, Missouri. If the town should receive a station it would be one of the smallest towns in the Amtrak system to have a station.
Utilities
- Internet
- Satellite Internet is provided by HughesNet, StarBandStarBandStarBand is a two-way satellite broadband Internet service available in the U.S.. StarBand Communications Inc. was initially a joint venture between Gilat Satellite Networks, EchoStar and Microsoft, and the StarBand service was launched in 2000. StarBand Communications filed for Chapter 11...
, WildBlue.
- Satellite Internet is provided by HughesNet, StarBand
- TV
- Satellite TV is provided by DirecTVDirecTVDirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
, Dish NetworkDish NetworkDish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
. - Free over-the-air ATSCATSCATSC standards are a set of standards developed by the Advanced Television Systems Committee for digital television transmission over terrestrial, cable, and satellite networks....
digital TVDigital televisionDigital television is the transmission of audio and video by digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV...
.
- Satellite TV is provided by DirecTV
External links
CitySchools
- USD 284, school district for all of Chase CountyChase County, KansasChase County is a county located in Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,790. Its county seat and most populous city is Cottonwood Falls. Chase County is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.The county has been the subject...
.
Historical
- Historic Images of Strong City, Special Photo Collections at Wichita State University Library.
Maps
- Strong City Map, KDOT
- Chase County Map, KDOT
- Topo Map of Strong City area, USGS