Elmo, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elmo, Kansas
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 Elmo, Kansas
Location in Kansas
Elmo, Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Dickinson |
| Elevation | 1,355 ft (413 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-20825 |
| GNIS ID | 476978 |
Elmo is an unincorporated community located in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. It is about 15 miles (24 km) south of Abilene. Elmo is found at the northwest corner where two highways, K-15 and K-4, meet.
Contents
The History of Elmo
How Elmo Began
For thousands of years, the vast Great Plains of North America were home to nomadic Native American tribes. Later, from the 16th to the 18th century, France claimed large parts of North America. In 1762, after a big war, France secretly gave this land to Spain.
Elmo in the 1800s
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. Then, in 1803, the United States bought a huge area, including what is now Kansas, from France. This was part of the Louisiana Purchase.
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was created. Kansas officially became the 34th U.S. state in 1861. Dickinson County, where Elmo is located today, was formed in 1857.
Elmo first started about a mile away from its current spot. No one knows for sure how it got its name. When the Missouri Pacific Railroad was built, the railroad company didn't like the original Elmo location because it was on a slope. So, they built a station at a nearby place called Banner City, which is where Elmo is now.
The old Elmo post office moved to Banner City around 1887. Since there were already other towns named Banner City in Kansas, the name Elmo eventually replaced it. The Elmo post office opened on December 16, 1884, and stayed open until May 6, 1966. The railroad tracks were removed in the 1990s.
Elmo in the 1900s
In 1899, a person named Elias Sellerds found a large collection of insect fossils about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Elmo. These fossils were very well-preserved. Scientists like Frank M. Carpenter and Robert John Tillyard later studied this fossil bed.
The Elmo fossil site has provided tens of thousands of specimens. More than 150 different types of insects have been found there, including large fossils of Meganeuropsis. This special site is on private land and is not open to the public.
Elmo in the 2000s
In 2014, some people living in Elmo decided to adopt the famous Sesame Street character Elmo as their town's mascot. They even put him on a new welcome sign!
Where is Elmo Located?
Elmo is found at the northwest corner of K-15 and K-4. This spot is also known as 600 Ave in Dickinson County. It's about 15 miles (24 km) south of Abilene and 14 miles (23 km) west of Herington.
Learning in Elmo
The local public schools for the community are part of the Chapman USD 473 school district.
Images for kids
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Welcome signage outside Elmo (2016)
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Stone structure housing a statue and bell at the church (2016)
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"Our Lady of the Farmland" statue (2016)
