Alexander, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander, Kansas
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Location within Rush County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Rush |
| Founded | 1869 |
| Incorporated | 1926 |
| Named for | Alexander Harvey |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.26 sq mi (0.67 km2) |
| • Land | 0.26 sq mi (0.67 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,077 ft (633 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 54 |
| • Density | 208/sq mi (80.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67513
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| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-01050 |
| GNIS ID | 475598 |
Alexander is a city in Rush County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 54.
History
Alexander is the oldest city in Rush County, Kansas. It was established in 1869 after becoming an important stopping point on the Fort Hays/Fort Dodge Trail (officially a part of the Santa Fe Trail). The name of the town originated from Alexander Harvey who operated a stockaded trading post on the trail crossing of the Wet Walnut Creek. In its early days, Alexander was a trading post for trappers, buffalo hunters, wild horse wranglers, and other early Westerners. Buffalo Bill Cody, George Custer, and other prominent figures in American western settlement traveled through the community. Alexander Harvey himself was a former member of the 6th Cavalry.
The first post office in Alexander was established in February 1874.
At its peak in the late 1800s, the community included a bank, hospital, newspaper, lumberyard, a Santa Fe Railroad Depot, hotel, multiple churches, multiple grocery and general stores. At varying times, the community's commercial activity has included cream and egg buying stations, a railroad stockyard for shipping cattle and sheep to eastern markets, and multiple grain elevators.
In the 1960s and 70s, a local horseman cared for retired polo ponies.
Today, Alexander's abandoned three story brick school building is a landmark on K-96 high way. The Golden Keys Club housed in the former Alexander State Bank Building. The community still has the largest grain elevator in Rush County. The elevator is a farmer's cooperative elevator owned by area farmers. Grumbine's Metal Scrap Yard is the other commercial entity in the community.
In 2015, the "Alexander Wind Farm" was constructed south of Alexander. It cost about $85 Million and generates 48 Megawatt of power.
Geography
Alexander is located at 38°28′10″N 99°33′11″W / 38.46944°N 99.55306°W (38.469371, -99.552415). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.25 square miles (0.65 km2), all of it land.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Alexander has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 202 | — | |
| 1940 | 171 | −15.3% | |
| 1950 | 188 | 9.9% | |
| 1960 | 153 | −18.6% | |
| 1970 | 129 | −15.7% | |
| 1980 | 116 | −10.1% | |
| 1990 | 85 | −26.7% | |
| 2000 | 75 | −11.8% | |
| 2010 | 65 | −13.3% | |
| 2020 | 54 | −16.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 65 people, 31 households, and 20 families residing in the city. The population density was 260.0 inhabitants per square mile (100.4/km2). There were 42 housing units at an average density of 168.0 per square mile (64.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White.
There were 31 households, of which 16.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.5% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.70.
The median age in the city was 53.3 years. 13.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 12.2% were from 25 to 44; 41.6% were from 45 to 64; and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 40.0% male and 60.0% female.
Education
The community is served by La Crosse USD 395 public school district.
Alexander High School was closed in 1966 through school unification. The Alexander High School mascot was Whippets.
See also
In Spanish: Alexander (Kansas) para niños
