Carlyle, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carlyle, Kansas
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 Carlyle, Kansas
Location in Kansas
Carlyle, Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Allen |
| Founded | 1858 |
| Elevation | 997 ft (304 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
66749
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| Area code | 620 |
| FIPS code | 20-10700 |
| GNIS ID | 484351 |
Carlyle is a small, unincorporated community in Allen County, Kansas, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. It's known for its interesting history, especially how it started as a planned town that didn't quite become one.
Contents
The Story of Carlyle
A Planned Town in Kansas
In 1857, a group of people from Indiana decided to start a new town in Kansas. They formed a "colony" with the goal of building a community they would name Carlyle. They chose a spot north of Deer Creek in what is now Deer Creek Township.
Two young men, P.M. Carnine and R.V. Ditmars, were the first to arrive. They built cabins to prepare for the others. In the spring of 1858, more colonists came, including families like the Killens, Evans, Richards, and Scotts.
The Carlyle colony picked out 320 acres (about 1.3 square kilometers) for their new town. They planned to build a church and a school. They hoped these improvements would help their town grow quickly.
Plans Change
However, the colonists faced many challenges in making Carlyle a successful town. Because of these difficulties, they decided to give up on the town project. Instead, the land was divided into farms, which were soon settled.
Even though the town itself didn't happen, the community of Carlyle still thrived. In 1858, a post office was opened, making it easier for people to send and receive mail. A mail route was set up, connecting Carlyle to other places like Leavenworth and Humboldt.
Later, a church and a schoolhouse were built. A high school was even kept up for some time. Carlyle also had a store for part of its history and always kept its post office. It became a well-known and active neighborhood.
Railroad and Beyond
When the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston railroad was built, Carlyle became a station along the line. This helped connect the community even more.
The post office in Carlyle finally closed in November 1988. The old railroad tracks in Carlyle have since been turned into a rail trail. This trail is now part of the Prairie Spirit Trail State Park, which is a great place for walking and biking.
Carlyle's Location
Carlyle is located in Allen County, Kansas. It's about five miles (8 kilometers) north of Iola, which is the main town and "county seat" of Allen County. You can find Carlyle at the intersection of Texas Road and CR 1600. It's also less than a mile west of U.S. Route 169. An old, unused railroad line runs to the east of Carlyle.
Population Information
Carlyle is an unincorporated community, so it doesn't have an official population count on its own. However, the population of the larger area around it, called Carlyle Township, was 276 people in the year 2000.
