Stilwell, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stilwell, Kansas
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 Stilwell, Kansas
Location in Kansas
Stilwell, Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Johnson |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
66085
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| GNIS ID | 479569 |
Stilwell is a small, unincorporated community located in Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It is part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. Being "unincorporated" means it's a community without its own local government, and it's managed by the county.
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History of Stilwell, Kansas
Stilwell began its story because of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The railroad planned to extend its tracks from Kansas City towards the south. They first thought about building through a town called Aubry. However, the land there was too hilly. So, the railroad decided to lay tracks about half a mile to the east instead.
How Stilwell Got Started
In 1886, four people named Michael O'Keefe, J. Larkin, W. A. Kelly, and A. J. Norman officially marked out a new town. They called it Mt. Auburn. This new settlement would later become Stilwell. The first post office in Stilwell opened in June 1888. As the new community grew, the nearby town of Aubry slowly became smaller. In 1889, Mt. Auburn was renamed Stilwell. It was named after Arthur Stilwell, who founded what became the Kansas City Southern Railroad. Many towns along this railroad line, which went towards the Gulf of Mexico, were named after him.
Stilwell's Growth and Land Use
For a long time, Stilwell was mostly farmland. Many of these farms grew sod, which is grass grown in rolls for lawns. But in recent years, new suburban neighborhoods have started to appear. Stilwell used to have affordable land, and some farms were left empty. However, the nearby city of Overland Park, Kansas has grown a lot. This growth has created a high demand for new homes, which has made the land in some parts of Stilwell more valuable.
What is the Climate Like in Stilwell?
The weather in Stilwell has distinct seasons. Summers are usually hot and humid. Winters are generally mild, though they can be cool. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Stilwell has a humid subtropical climate. This type of climate is often shown as "Cfa" on climate maps. It means the area gets plenty of rain throughout the year and has warm temperatures for most of it.
Who are Some Famous People from Stilwell?
Stilwell has been home to several notable individuals who have achieved success in various fields.
- Gary Burrell (1937–2019) was an engineer and a successful entrepreneur. He was one of the people who started Garmin, a company famous for its GPS technology.
- Tara Cunningham won a Gold Medal in Women's Weightlifting at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Michael Stevens is well-known as the host of the popular YouTube channel Vsauce, which explores science and interesting facts.
- Tom Watson is a very famous American professional golfer. He has won many major golf tournaments.
