Cawker City, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cawker City, Kansas
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Water Tower and Downtown (2012)
(view from near the Ball of Twine) |
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Location within Mitchell County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Mitchell |
| Founded | 1870 |
| Incorporated | 1874 |
| Named for | Colonel E.H. Cawker |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.01 sq mi (2.61 km2) |
| • Land | 1.01 sq mi (2.61 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,493 ft (455 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 457 |
| • Density | 452.5/sq mi (175.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67430
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| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-11175 |
| GNIS ID | 2393772 |
Cawker City is a small town in Mitchell County, Kansas, United States. It's located right by Waconda Lake and Glen Elder State Park. In 2020, about 457 people lived there. Cawker City is famous for something unique: it's one of the places that claims to have the largest ball of twine in the whole world!
Contents
History of Cawker City
Cawker City was started in 1870. People say that Colonel E. H. Cawker won the right to name the town after winning a poker game! The town officially became a city in 1874. The first post office opened in June 1870.
Years ago, many families living on small farms made Cawker City their home. In the 1960s, the town even had three grocery stores. However, by 2017, there were no grocery stores left. Many young adults moved away to find jobs. Also, farm sizes grew bigger, meaning fewer families were needed to work them. These changes caused the town's population to get smaller over time.
Geography of Cawker City
Cawker City covers about 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers) of land. There is no water within the city limits. The town is located right on the north side of Waconda Lake.
Population Facts for Cawker City
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 1,039 | — | |
| 1890 | 898 | −13.6% | |
| 1900 | 816 | −9.1% | |
| 1910 | 870 | 6.6% | |
| 1920 | 788 | −9.4% | |
| 1930 | 739 | −6.2% | |
| 1940 | 657 | −11.1% | |
| 1950 | 691 | 5.2% | |
| 1960 | 686 | −0.7% | |
| 1970 | 726 | 5.8% | |
| 1980 | 640 | −11.8% | |
| 1990 | 588 | −8.1% | |
| 2000 | 521 | −11.4% | |
| 2010 | 469 | −10.0% | |
| 2020 | 457 | −2.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Cawker City's Population in 2020
The 2020 United States census counted 457 people living in Cawker City. There were 215 households and 110 families. Most people (96.28%) were white. About 22.8% of the population was under 18 years old. The median age was 47.6 years. This means half the people were younger than 47.6, and half were older.
Cawker City's Population in 2010
In 2010, the census showed 469 people lived in Cawker City. There were 244 households. About 18.6% of the people were under 18 years old. The median age was 50.1 years.
Fun Things to See in Cawker City
- The Biggest Ball of Twine: Cawker City is famous for its huge ball of twine! It's one of the largest in the world. Every August, people gather for a "twine-a-thon" to add more twine and make it even bigger.
- Waconda Lake: This large lake is a great place for outdoor activities.
- Eyegore's Curiosities and Monster Museum: A unique museum with interesting and spooky exhibits.
Education in Cawker City
The public schools in Cawker City are part of the Waconda USD 272 school district. The elementary school in Cawker City is called Lakeside Elementary School. Students go to Lakeside High School in Downs. The high school mascot is the Knights.
Before 2003, Cawker City High School joined with Glen Elder High School in 1971. They formed Waconda East High School, and their mascot was the Vikings. Then, in 2003, Waconda East High School combined with Downs High School to create the current USD 272 district. Before these changes, the Cawker City High School mascot was the Pirates. The elementary school in Cawker City was renamed Lakeside Elementary in 2015.
Famous People from Cawker City
- Emma B. Alrich (1845-1925), a teacher and school leader in Cawker City.
- Martia L. Davis Berry (1844-1894), a social reformer who worked to improve society.
- Merwin Coad (born 1924), an Iowa politician.
- Claire Windsor (1892–1972), a famous silent film actress.
See also
In Spanish: Cawker City (Kansas) para niños
