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Ellinwood, Kansas facts for kids

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Ellinwood, Kansas
United Methodist Church (2012)
United Methodist Church (2012)
Location within Barton County and Kansas
Location within Barton County and Kansas
KDOT map of Barton County (legend)
Country United States
State Kansas
County Barton
Founded 1871
Incorporated 1878
Named for Colonel John Ellinwood
Area
 • Total 1.32 sq mi (3.42 km2)
 • Land 1.32 sq mi (3.42 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,788 ft (545 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,011
 • Density 1,523/sq mi (588.0/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67526
Area code 620
FIPS code 20-20425
GNIS ID 475775

Ellinwood is a city in the southeast corner of Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,011.

History

19th century

Stouffer's Railroad Map of Kansas 1915-1918 Barton County
1915 Railroad Map of Barton County

For millennia, the land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans. In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, Barton County was founded.

The first claim at Ellinwood was staked in 1871 when it was certain the Santa Fe railroad would be completed nearby. The railroad was finished in 1872 and the city was named after Colonel John R. Ellinwood, a civil engineer working for the Santa Fe railroad. Although neither the founder nor the original settlers were German, many of the main streets were given German names, in order to appeal to German immigrant buyers.

In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company. In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968. In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.

20th century

In 1973, the rock band Kansas rented the Ellinwood Opera House as a 'tryout show' for a New York record executive, using free beer as a marketing tool, and charged a quarter entry fee to help cover some of their expenses. The story is told in the 2015 documentary 'Miracles Out of Nowhere'.

Geography

Ellinwood is located at 38°21′22″N 98°34′51″W / 38.356226°N 98.580873°W / 38.356226; -98.580873 (38.356226, -98.580873). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.14 square miles (2.95 km2), all of it land. The city is situated along the path of the historic Santa Fe Trail. Ellinwood is also located just north of the Arkansas River, roughly in the area where it makes its "great bend" to the southeast en route to its final destination, the Mississippi River.

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, Ellinwood has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Area attractions

  • Downtown Underground Tunnels

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 352
1890 684 94.3%
1900 760 11.1%
1910 976 28.4%
1920 1,103 13.0%
1930 1,115 1.1%
1940 2,059 84.7%
1950 2,569 24.8%
1960 2,729 6.2%
1970 2,416 −11.5%
1980 2,508 3.8%
1990 2,329 −7.1%
2000 2,164 −7.1%
2010 2,131 −1.5%
2020 2,011 −5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
Ellinwood Santa Fe Trail Marker (DAR) P5310459
Santa Fe Trail DAR marker in Ellinwood

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,131 people, 910 households, and 601 families living in the city. The population density was 1,869.3 inhabitants per square mile (721.7/km2). There were 1,042 housing units at an average density of 914.0 per square mile (352.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 910 households, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 43.7 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20% were from 25 to 44; 27.5% were from 45 to 64; and 21.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

Transportation

U.S. Route 56 runs through the city.

Education

The community is served by Ellinwood USD 355 public school district.

Notable person

Images for kids

See also

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

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