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Lehigh, Kansas
Skyline of Lehigh (2010)
Skyline of Lehigh (2010)
Location within Marion County and Kansas
Location within Marion County and Kansas
KDOT map of Marion County (legend)
Country United States
State Kansas
County Marion
Township Lehigh
Platted 1881
Incorporated 1901
Government
 • Type Mayor–Council
Area
 • Total 0.32 sq mi (0.83 km2)
 • Land 0.32 sq mi (0.83 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,532 ft (467 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 161
 • Density 503/sq mi (194.0/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67073
Area code 620
FIPS code 20-39225
GNIS ID 477226

Lehigh is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 161. It is located between Hillsboro and Canton on the north side of U.S. Route 56.

History

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

Early history

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Marion County was established within the Kansas Territory, which included the land for modern day Lehigh.

The source of the Lehigh name was not well documented. One of the rumors is the city being slightly higher altitude which was "lay high" above the prairie, the other rumor that it was named by representatives of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania who came to Kansas and considered settling the area in the 1870s or 1880s.

Four and one half miles north of Lehigh is the junction of the old Santa Fe Trail and Chisolm Trail, which is near the site of the municipal water well for the city. The Santa Fe Trail was active across Marion County from 1821 to 1866, and the Chisholm Trail was active from 1867 to 1871.

As early as 1875, city leaders of Marion held a meeting to consider a branch railroad from Florence. 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 through Lehigh to McPherson was abandoned and removed. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.

A post office was established at Lehigh on April 23, 1880.

Lehigh was platted in 1881.

20th century

Lehigh was incorporated in 1901 and at the time of the 1910 census had a population of 385. At one time it boasted a bank, several mercantile businesses, and a German weekly Mennonite newspaper, Das Echo, started in 1897.

The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912, and was routed through Lehigh, Hillsboro, Marion, Lost Springs.

Geography

Lehigh is located at 38°22′24″N 97°18′10″W / 38.37333°N 97.30278°W / 38.37333; -97.30278 (38.373447, -97.302907). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.30 square miles (0.78 km2), all of it land. The county line is 3.5 miles west of Lehigh. The North and South Cottonwood River start a few miles northwest of Lehigh.

Area Events

  • Lehigh Antique Tractor & Engine Show, every Memorial Day.

Area attractions

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1910 385
1920 570 48.1%
1930 315 −44.7%
1940 296 −6.0%
1950 240 −18.9%
1960 178 −25.8%
1970 168 −5.6%
1980 189 12.5%
1990 180 −4.8%
2000 215 19.4%
2010 175 −18.6%
2020 161 −8.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 175 people, 70 households, and 49 families residing in the city. The population density was 583.3 inhabitants per square mile (225.2/km2). There were 84 housing units at an average density of 280.0 per square mile (108.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 2.9% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.

There were 70 households, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.0% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 32.8 years. 29.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.4% were from 45 to 64; and 13.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.9% male and 49.1% female.

Gallery

Education

The community is served by Hillsboro USD 410 public school district. The high school is a member of T.E.E.N., a shared video teaching network between five area high schools. All students attend schools in Hillsboro.

Lehigh Rural High School was closed after the spring graduation in 1966. The Lehigh High School mascot was Lehigh Eagles.

Infrastructure

Transportation

U.S. Route 56 highway is 0.5 miles (0.80 km) south of the city.

Utilities

  • Internet
    • Satellite is provided by HughesNet, StarBand, WildBlue.
  • TV
  • Electricity
    • Rural is provided by Flint Hills RECA.
  • Water
    • City is provided by City of Lehigh.
    • Rural is provided by Marion County RWD #4 (map).

See also

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