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Chapman, Kansas
Business District in Chapman (2014)
Business District in Chapman (2014)
Location within Dickinson County and Kansas
Location within Dickinson County and Kansas
KDOT map of Dickinson County (legend)
Country United States
State Kansas
County Dickinson
Founded 1868
Platted 1871
Named for Chapman Creek
Government
 • Type Mayor–Council
Area
 • Total 0.94 sq mi (2.42 km2)
 • Land 0.93 sq mi (2.42 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,119 ft (341 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,377
 • Density 1,465/sq mi (569.0/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67431
Area code 785
FIPS code 20-12550
GNIS ID 2393800

Chapman is a small city in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. It's a place where about 1,377 people live, according to the 2020 census.

History of Chapman

Chapman was first settled in 1868. That same year, Jackman's mill was built nearby on Chapman Creek. The town was officially planned out in 1871 by James Streeter and S. M. Strickler. It was named after Chapman Creek.

The first post office in Chapman opened in 1866. It was called Chapman's Creek until 1872.

The 2008 Tornado

Chapman tornado damage
Heavy tornado damage at Chapman High School on June 12, 2008 (NWS Topeka)

On June 11, 2008, a very strong tornado hit Chapman. This tornado was about half a mile wide. It moved through the town's center, causing a lot of damage. Many buildings were badly hurt, and over 60 homes were completely destroyed.

The American Red Cross estimated that 75% of homes had major damage or were ruined. School buildings and churches were also heavily damaged. About 200 people had to leave their homes because of the storm. Officials compared the damage to what happened in Greensburg after a similar tornado.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Helps Out

After the 2008 tornado, the TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came to Chapman. On January 23, 2009, an episode showed how they helped an Iraq War veteran, his wife, and their four children. This family had lost their home in the tornado.

The show, along with many builders and volunteers, rebuilt the Tutwiler family's home. They also helped other neighbors with furniture and some repairs. A new community center was built for the town. This center could also be used as a safe shelter during future storms. The Tutwiler family later moved away from Chapman and sold their house.

The 2016 Tornado

Chapman2016EF4Damage
EF4 damage to a well-constructed brick home near Chapman with destroyed farm machinery in the background.

On May 25, 2016, another large tornado struck near Chapman. This tornado was very strong and stayed on the ground for about 25 miles (40 km). It lasted for at least 90 minutes. The tornado caused very serious damage, rated as EF4. This means it was powerful enough to destroy well-built homes.

Experts said that if the tornado had hit a town directly, it might have been rated even higher. As it passed south of Chapman, it damaged many trees and a large farmhouse. About 20 homes in Dickinson County were damaged or destroyed. Luckily, no one died, and only eight people had minor injuries from this tornado.

Geography

Chapman covers a total area of about 0.86 square miles (2.23 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Climate

The weather in Chapman usually has hot, humid summers. Winters are generally mild to cool. Chapman has a humid subtropical climate, which means it gets plenty of rain and has warm temperatures for much of the year.

Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 114
1890 435 281.6%
1900 627 44.1%
1910 781 24.6%
1920 853 9.2%
1930 819 −4.0%
1940 782 −4.5%
1950 990 26.6%
1960 1,095 10.6%
1970 1,132 3.4%
1980 1,255 10.9%
1990 1,264 0.7%
2000 1,241 −1.8%
2010 1,393 12.2%
2020 1,377 −1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

What the 2020 Census Shows

The 2020 United States census counted 1,377 people living in Chapman. There were 526 households and 369 families.

  • About 29.7% of the people were under 18 years old.
  • About 17.2% were 65 years old or older.
  • The average age in Chapman was 36.6 years.

Most adults in Chapman have a high school diploma or higher. About 17.8% have a bachelor's degree or more.

What the 2010 Census Showed

In 2010, there were 1,393 people living in Chapman. There were 529 households.

  • About 36.9% of households had children under 18.
  • The average household had 2.54 people.
  • The average age was 38.4 years.

Education

Students in Chapman attend schools in the Chapman USD 473 public school district.

Famous People from Chapman

Several interesting people have connections to Chapman:

  • Frankie Burke was an actor who appeared in about sixteen films. He was born in New York. Later in life, he chose to travel around the United States as a hobo. He eventually settled in Chapman, where he passed away in 1983.
  • Joseph Henry Engle was a retired Major General in the U.S. Air Force and a NASA astronaut. He helped test the X-15 rocket airplane. He was also one of the first astronauts in the Space Shuttle program. He commanded the second test flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981.
  • Harvey T. "Pop" Hollinger was one of the very first comic book collectors. He opened a shop in Kansas in the late 1930s where he sold new and used comics. Hollinger was born in Chapman and lived there through his high school years.
  • Henry Varnum Poor was an American architect, painter, sculptor, muralist, and potter. He designed his own home and also created designs for other famous people. He was born in Chapman.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Chapman (Kansas) para niños

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