Claflin, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claflin, Kansas
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Former Missouri Pacific Railroad depot in Claflin (1900)
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Location within Barton County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Barton |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Incorporated | 1901 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.33 sq mi (0.84 km2) |
| • Land | 0.33 sq mi (0.84 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,811 ft (552 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 562 |
| • Density | 1,703/sq mi (669/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67525
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| Area code | 620 |
| FIPS code | 20-13425 |
| GNIS ID | 475531 |
Claflin is a small city in Barton County, Kansas, United States. In 2020, about 562 people lived there. It's a quiet place with a rich history in the heart of Kansas.
Contents
Claflin, Kansas: A Look at Its Past
Early Days and Native American Lands
Before settlers arrived, the land around Claflin was home to Native American tribes. These included the Cheyenne, Pawnee, and Kiowa people. The famous Santa Fe Trail also passed through this area. This trail helped many American settlers move into Kansas.
How Claflin Started
The first person to claim land in the Claflin area was George Platt in 1870. Later, in 1875, J. H. Williamson bought this land. This is how the town of Claflin began to form.
The community officially started because the Missouri Pacific Railroad planned to build a train line through the area. Train tracks were laid down by 1887.
Naming the Town of Claflin
The train station was first called Giles City. It was named after a landowner named Stelle Giles. However, the town itself was built on land bought from J. H. Williamson. This land was on the north side of the tracks.
Judge Oliver Perry Hamilton surveyed the land for the new town. He decided to name it Claflin after his wife, Adelia Maria Claflin. The Claflin Town Company officially registered the town in March 1887. Stelle Giles was the president of this company.
Claflin's First Residents
The very first official resident of Claflin was Robert Leslie Hamilton. He built and ran a lumber company. Other early residents included the railroad agent, a store owner, a banker, and a blacksmith. These people helped the new town grow.
Claflin officially became a city on July 18, 1901. The first city election was held shortly after, on August 2, 1901.
Claflin's Location and Size
Claflin is a small city. It covers an area of about 0.33 square miles (0.84 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Claflin's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 554 | — | |
| 1920 | 648 | 17.0% | |
| 1930 | 607 | −6.3% | |
| 1940 | 747 | 23.1% | |
| 1950 | 921 | 23.3% | |
| 1960 | 891 | −3.3% | |
| 1970 | 887 | −0.4% | |
| 1980 | 764 | −13.9% | |
| 1990 | 678 | −11.3% | |
| 2000 | 705 | 4.0% | |
| 2010 | 645 | −8.5% | |
| 2020 | 562 | −12.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Claflin's Population in 2020
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 562 people living in Claflin. There were 240 households, which are groups of people living together. The average household had about 2.2 people.
About 24% of the people in Claflin were under 18 years old. The average age in the city was 38.8 years.
Claflin's Population in 2010
The census in 2010 showed that 645 people lived in Claflin. There were 267 households. The average household size was about 2.4 people.
About 23.6% of the residents were under 18 years old. The average age in the city was 42.6 years.
Education in Claflin
Students in Claflin attend schools in the Central Plains USD 112 public school district. The high school team mascot is the "Oilers". The current principal is Toby Holmes.
Before the schools combined, the high school was known as Claflin High School. Their mascot was the "Wildcats".
Sports Success in Claflin
The Claflin Wildcats had great success in football. They won the Kansas State High School 8-Man DII football championship in 1991 and 1992. They also won the 2-1A football championship in 1997, 1998, and 1999.
The Central Plains Oilers have also had success. They won the Kansas State High School 8-Man DI football championship in 2014. They won again in 2018, finishing the season undefeated with a 13–0 record. They were ranked #1 in their class in Kansas and #8 nationally.
Famous People from Claflin
- Walter Hickel (1919–2010) - He was the governor of Alaska two times. He also served as the United States Secretary of the Interior.
- Jackie Stiles (born 1978) - She is a famous women's college basketball player.
See also
In Spanish: Claflin para niños
