Palco, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Palco, Kansas
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Township Hall (2016)
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Location within Rooks County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Rooks |
| Founded | 1888 |
| Incorporated | 1903 |
| Named for | Palmer and Cole |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.27 sq mi (0.69 km2) |
| • Land | 0.27 sq mi (0.69 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,277 ft (694 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 208 |
| • Density | 770/sq mi (301.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67657
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| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-54125 |
| GNIS ID | 2396127 |
Palco is a small city in Rooks County, Kansas, in the United States. It's a quiet place with a history tied to the railroads. In 2020, about 208 people lived there.
Contents
History of Palco
Palco was started in 1888 by the Union Pacific Railroad. It began as a train depot, which is like a station where trains stop. The town got its name from two railroad officials, Mr. Palmer and Mr. Cole.
Before Palco, there was a town nearby called Cresson. It had a post office since 1879. In 1887, people heard that the railroad would build tracks a little south of Cresson. Many people and businesses moved to form a new community called New Cresson, hoping to be near the new tracks.
However, the railroad tracks curved north instead, missing New Cresson. This meant New Cresson was soon left empty. Interestingly, the new northern tracks passed close to the original town of Cresson. So, Palco became the new center.
Fires and Growth
In 1893, a huge prairie fire almost destroyed Palco. This fire started in Graham County and burned thousands of acres. It also destroyed many farmsteads (farm homes) and livestock (farm animals) across several counties. Seven people sadly lost their lives in this big fire.
Palco officially became a city in 1906. This meant it could have its own local government. Robert Kirkendall was chosen as the first mayor.
Another fire hit Palco in 1923. This one destroyed many businesses along Main Street. These included the hotel, the post office, a real estate office, and a doctor's office.
Geography and Climate
Palco is a small city, covering about 0.27 square miles (0.69 square kilometers) of land. It has no water areas within its city limits.
Weather in Palco
The weather in Palco has hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.
Population of Palco
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 279 | — | |
| 1920 | 281 | 0.7% | |
| 1930 | 290 | 3.2% | |
| 1940 | 276 | −4.8% | |
| 1950 | 405 | 46.7% | |
| 1960 | 575 | 42.0% | |
| 1970 | 398 | −30.8% | |
| 1980 | 329 | −17.3% | |
| 1990 | 295 | −10.3% | |
| 2000 | 248 | −15.9% | |
| 2010 | 277 | 11.7% | |
| 2020 | 208 | −24.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 208 people living in Palco. There were 96 households and 51 families. Most of the people living in Palco were white. About 24% of the population was under 18 years old. The median age was 49.5 years.
Education in Palco
Students in Palco attend schools in the Palco USD 269 public school district. There are two schools in the district. Damar Elementary School is in Damar. Palco Jr-Sr High School is located right in Palco.
The Palco Roosters, which is the high school's team, won a state championship. They won the Kansas State High School boys class B Indoor Track & Field championship in 1962.
