Hesston, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hesston, Kansas
|
|
|---|---|
Alliman Center on Hesston College campus
|
|
Location within Harvey County and Kansas
|
|
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Harvey |
| Township | Emma |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Incorporated | 1921 |
| Named for | Hess brothers |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.56 sq mi (9.23 km2) |
| • Land | 3.56 sq mi (9.23 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,476 ft (450 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 3,505 |
| • Density | 984.6/sq mi (379.74/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67062
|
| Area code | 620 |
| FIPS code | 20-31600 |
| GNIS ID | 2394366 |
Hesston is a friendly city located in Harvey County, Kansas. In 2020, about 3,505 people lived there. Hesston is known for its big factories that make farm equipment (like AGCO) and lawn mowers (like Stanley Black & Decker). It's also home to Hesston College, a well-known school.
History of Hesston
Early Days and Founding
For thousands of years, the Great Plains of North America were home to Native American tribes who moved around a lot. In the 16th to 18th centuries, France claimed much of this land. Later, in 1762, France secretly gave this land to Spain.
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 called the Louisiana Purchase. It cost about 2.83 cents per acre!
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was created. Kansas officially became the 34th U.S. state in 1861. Harvey County, where Hesston is located, was formed in 1872.
A post office was first set up nearby in 1873, called Elivon. In 1886, the town of Hesston was officially founded. It was named after the Hess brothers, who owned the land where a train station was built for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The post office was renamed Hesston in 1887. Because of the railroad, Hesston became an important place for shipping goods.
20th Century Growth
In 1909, the Mennonite Church started Hesston College. Many of the first settlers in the area were Mennonite farmers.
In 1947, two people named Lyle Yost and Adin Holdemann started a farm equipment company called Hesston Manufacturing Company. This company later became part of AGCO Corporation in 1991. In the 1960s, John Regier started another company called Excel Industries, which makes lawn mowers.
The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, a special garden, was started at Hesston College in 1981.
On March 13, 1990, a very strong F5 tornado hit Hesston. It caused a lot of damage to the town. Many homes and businesses were destroyed. One person sadly died, and 59 people were hurt. After leaving Hesston, the tornado became even stronger near the town of Goessel.
Geography and Weather
Hesston covers an area of about 3.90 square miles (10.1 square kilometers), and it's all land.
Climate of Hesston
Hesston has a climate with hot, humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 526 | — | |
| 1940 | 403 | −23.4% | |
| 1950 | 686 | 70.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,103 | 60.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,926 | 74.6% | |
| 1980 | 3,013 | 56.4% | |
| 1990 | 3,012 | 0.0% | |
| 2000 | 3,509 | 16.5% | |
| 2010 | 3,709 | 5.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,505 | −5.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Hesston?
The 2020 census counted 3,505 people living in Hesston. Most people (about 90%) are white. There are also people of black, Native American, Asian, and other backgrounds. About 4.59% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
In Hesston, about 30.7% of homes have children under 18. Many families are married couples living together. The average age in Hesston is about 41.9 years old.
Economy and Jobs
Hesston is home to important companies that make equipment. In 1947, Lyle Yost started the Hesston Manufacturing Company. This company made big advancements in farm equipment.
- In 1955, they created the first self-propelled machine to cut hay.
- In 1967, they made the first machine that used a special hydraulic drive system.
- In 1978, they introduced the first large square baler for hay.
- In 1988, they made the first fully automatic large round baler.
The company also started making popular belt buckles in 1974. Later, in 1991, a company called AGCO Corporation bought Hesston Corporation and made its factories even bigger.
In 1960, John Regier started Excel Industries, a company that makes lawn mowers. In 2021, Stanley Black & Decker bought Excel. These companies provide many jobs in Hesston.
Arts and Fun Things to Do
Hesston has several places for arts, culture, and recreation:
- Dyck Arboretum of the Plains: This is a special botanical garden at Hesston College.
- It hosts the Prairie Window Concert Series.
- They also have Summer Music Nights.
- Hesston Public Library: This library was named the "Best Small Public Library in Kansas" in 2015.
- Sunflower Performing Arts at Hesston College: This is a place where you can enjoy different shows and performances.
- Central Kansas Master Chorale
- Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus
Parks and Recreation
Hesston has great places to play and relax:
- Eight city parks: These include an 18-hole golf course, a disc golf course, and a dog park.
- Another disc golf course: You can find this one on the Hesston College campus.
Education in Hesston
Schools for Kids
The public schools in Hesston are part of the Hesston USD 460 school district. There are three schools:
- Hesston High School
- Hesston Middle School
- Hesston Elementary School
College in Hesston
- Hesston College: This is a two-year college located right in Hesston.
Media and Communication
Newspapers
You can read about Hesston and the surrounding area in these newspapers:
- Harvey County Now
- The Newton Kansan
- The Hutchinson News
- The Wichita Eagle
Radio and TV
Hesston gets many radio and TV channels from the nearby cities of Wichita and Hutchinson. You can also get cable TV from Cox Communications and satellite TV.
Transportation and Services
Getting Around
Major roads like Interstate I-135 and highway US 81 go through Hesston, making it easy to travel. Hesston also has a branch of the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad for trains.
City Services
Hesston has many services for its residents:
- Internet: You can get internet from companies like Ideatek Telcom LLC (fiber, wireless), Lumen Technologies (DSL), Cox Communications (cable), and others. Mobile internet is also available.
- Electricity: Provided by Evergy.
- Natural Gas: Provided by the City of Hesston.
- Water: Provided by the City of Hesston.
- Sewer: Provided by the City of Hesston.
- Trash & Recycling: Handled by Nisly Brothers Inc., with billing through the City of Hesston.
Famous People from Hesston
- Katie Sowers: She is a football coach who worked as an offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Lyle Yost: He was one of the people who started Hesston Industries in 1947.
See also
In Spanish: Hesston (Kansas) para niños
