Jamestown, Kansas facts for kids
Jamestown is a small city located in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. It's a friendly community with a rich history, especially known for its spirit in rebuilding after tough times. As of the 2020 census, about 237 people call Jamestown home.
Quick facts for kids
Jamestown, Kansas
|
|
|---|---|
Welcome sign, north of town (2011)
|
|
Location within Cloud County and Kansas
|
|
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Cloud |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Incorporated | 1883 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.29 sq mi (0.76 km2) |
| • Land | 0.29 sq mi (0.76 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,434 ft (437 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 237 |
| • Density | 817/sq mi (311.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
66948
|
| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-34975 |
| GNIS ID | 2395454 |
Contents
History of Jamestown
Jamestown was founded in 1878 and became an official city in 1883. It was likely named after Senator James Pomeroy or a railroad official named James P. Pomeroy. A post office first opened in a nearby town called Alva in 1871, but it moved to Jamestown in 1878. The town grew up around the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
Fires and Rebuilding Efforts
Jamestown has faced two major fires that destroyed parts of its downtown. Each time, the community worked together to rebuild.
The 1911 Fire
In 1911, a huge fire destroyed the entire downtown business area. Not many records from that time survived, but the people of Jamestown quickly rebuilt their shops and businesses. Interestingly, two other nearby towns, Courtland and Glasco, also had big downtown fires on the very same night. The total damage from these fires was reported to be around $500,000, which was a huge amount of money back then!
The 2000 Fire and Community Spirit
History repeated itself on January 28, 2000, when another fire swept through Main Street. Several buildings were lost, and the fire even reached the city hall. But just like before, the town came together to rebuild. The mayor at the time, Judy Hill, said that instead of destroying the town, the fire actually made the community spirit stronger. Within days, town meetings were held to plan for the future.
More than 50 people, out of a population of only 307 at the time, attended these meetings. They formed committees to start the rebuilding process. The local funeral home even became the temporary city office and meeting place.
Today, Jamestown has a new community center with daycare, a busy downtown activities center, a public library, and several businesses.
Jamestown's Geography
Jamestown is a small city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers about 0.29 square miles (0.76 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.
People of Jamestown
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 101 | — | |
| 1890 | 372 | 268.3% | |
| 1900 | 400 | 7.5% | |
| 1910 | 462 | 15.5% | |
| 1920 | 495 | 7.1% | |
| 1930 | 507 | 2.4% | |
| 1940 | 490 | −3.4% | |
| 1950 | 494 | 0.8% | |
| 1960 | 422 | −14.6% | |
| 1970 | 470 | 11.4% | |
| 1980 | 440 | −6.4% | |
| 1990 | 325 | −26.1% | |
| 2000 | 399 | 22.8% | |
| 2010 | 286 | −28.3% | |
| 2020 | 237 | −17.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Information
The 2020 United States census showed that 237 people lived in Jamestown. There were 105 households and 72 families. Most residents, about 92.41%, were white. About 20.3% of the population was under 18 years old, and 24.1% were 65 or older. The average age in Jamestown was 43.8 years.
2010 Census Information
In 2010, Jamestown had 286 people living in the city. There were 126 households. The population was mostly White (97.6%). About 22% of the residents were under 18 years old. The average age was 40.6 years.
Economy and Activities
Jamestown is mainly a small farming community. It has a local bank that helps people in the area. Thanks to local efforts and some government funding, the town has added a community center, an activities center, and a public library downtown. Many residents go to nearby Concordia, Kansas for most of their shopping.
Jamestown is also a popular spot for outdoor activities. When hunting season begins, many people come to the area to hunt small birds. The nearby Jamestown Wildlife Area, also known as "Jamestown Lake," is a great place for anglers to catch fish like perch, crappie, and bass.
For a while, Jamestown even had its own weekly newspaper called the Jamestown Settler, which was published from 1977 to 1983. Other newspapers were also published in the past, like The Kansas Optimist and The Quill.
Education in Jamestown
Students in Jamestown are part of the Concordia USD 333 public school district.
Jamestown used to have its own schools. In 1911, property was given to School District 32 to create the Jamestown Schools. The school offered classes for grades 1-12 in one main building and had another building for industrial arts. There was also a playground and athletic field.
However, the Jamestown schools eventually closed. The junior high school and high school closed in 1980, and the elementary school closed in 1983. The number of students was always small, sometimes only six to eight students per grade. Today, students from Jamestown attend schools in the Concordia USD 333 district.
The main school building has been torn down, and only the gym remains today.
Jamestown High School's sports teams were called the Jamestown Jayhawks. They played in the Pike Trail League, which included other small local schools. Students participated in sports like 8-man football, volleyball, basketball, and track & field.
Notable People from Jamestown
- Martha Peterson (1916–2006) was a famous academic leader who served as president of two colleges: Barnard College and Beloit College.
See also
In Spanish: Jamestown (Kansas) para niños
