Pilsen, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pilsen, Kansas
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 Pilsen, Kansas
Location in Kansas
Pilsen, Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Marion |
| Township | Clark, Clear Creek |
| Founded | 1874 |
| Named for | Plzeň |
| Elevation | 1,434 ft (437 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 65 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
66861
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| Area code | 620 |
| FIPS code | 20-55875 |
| GNIS ID | 477246 |
Pilsen is a small, unincorporated community in Marion County, Kansas, United States. It is also known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined for collecting census data. In 2020, about 65 people lived there. The community got its name from the city of Plzeň (which is "Pilsen" in German) in the Czech Republic. You can find Pilsen north of Marion and west of Lincolnville.
History of Pilsen
How Pilsen Began
Long, long ago, the Great Plains of North America were home to many Native American tribes who moved around a lot. Later, in the 16th to 18th centuries, France claimed a big part of North America. Then, in 1762, France secretly gave this land to Spain.
In 1803, the United States bought a huge amount of land, including what is now Kansas, from France. This was called the Louisiana Purchase. It was a really big deal!
Kansas became the 34th U.S. state in 1861. Before that, in 1855, Marion County was created, and that's where Pilsen is today.
Pilsen was founded in 1874 by immigrants from Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic). They named it after their home city, Plzeň. Many Bohemian families, both Czech and German, settled here in the 1870s and 1880s. They bought their land from a railway company.
Early Buildings and Life
In 1888, the first Catholic church was built in Pilsen. It was a two-story building. The top floor was for church services, and the bottom floor was where the priest lived. Later, when a new church was built, this old building became a convent for nuns.
For a while, the center of the community was a General Store. It was located about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of where Pilsen is now. This store closed around 1902.
Pilsen in the 20th Century
After the old store closed, a new two-story store was built in the current Pilsen location by Mr. and Mrs. Cerny. They ran it until 1944.
The beautiful St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church you see today was built between 1914 and 1915. Bricks for the church were brought by train from Kansas City to Lincolnville, the closest train station. There were so many bricks in Pilsen that people joked about how many churches they were going to build! The church cost about $30,000, which was a lot of money back then. But it would have cost even more if local volunteers hadn't helped with the building. In 1924, a large house for the priest was also built.
In the early 1940s, a very special person named Emil Kapaun served as a pastor at the church. He later became a famous Army chaplain.
Pilsen even had its own post office for many years, from 1917 to 1957.
Pilsen Today
On June 3, 2001, a statue honoring Chaplain Emil Kapaun was placed at St. John Nepomucene Church. This was a special day for the community.
Around 2010, the Keystone Pipeline was built near Pilsen. This pipeline carries oil and runs through Marion County. Its construction brought some discussions about road damage and other concerns.
Geography of Pilsen
Pilsen is located in the beautiful Flint Hills and Great Plains areas of Kansas. It's about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) north of the city of Marion. The exact location is 38.4714024 latitude and -97.0402972 longitude.
Pilsen Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 65 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 65 people living in Pilsen. There were 21 households, which means 21 different homes where people lived. Most of the people living in Pilsen were white. A small number of people were Native American or from other backgrounds.
About 21.5% of the population was under 18 years old. The median age was 44.5 years, meaning half the people were younger than 44.5 and half were older.
Things to Do in Pilsen
Local Events
- Father Kapaun Day: This special day happens on the first Sunday in June. It honors Chaplain Emil Kapaun.
- Military Pilgrimage: Another event takes place in November, often involving a pilgrimage related to military service.
Places to Visit
- St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church: This church is the most famous building in Pilsen. Its cornerstone was laid in 1914. The church is 120 feet (37 m) tall and has a silver-colored dome that you can see from far away across the flat farming land. The church is named after St. John Nepomucene, who is a patron saint from Bohemia.
- Marion Reservoir: This large lake is about 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Pilsen. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
Education in Pilsen
Students in Pilsen attend schools in the Centre USD 397 public school district. The high school is part of a special video teaching network called T.E.E.N., which connects five area high schools.
- Centre School: This school is located at 2374 310th St, Lost Springs, KS. It's between Lost Springs and Lincolnville.
Local Media
If you want to read local news, you can find these newspapers:
- Marion County Record: This is the official newspaper for Marion County and the city of Marion.
- Hillsboro Free Press: This newspaper is free and covers the wider Marion County area.
Pilsen Infrastructure
Transportation Around Pilsen
Pilsen is close to major roads. U.S. Route 77 is about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) to the east, and U.S. Route 56 is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) to the south.
Utilities and Services
- Internet: People in Pilsen can get internet service through satellites from companies like HughesNet, StarBand, and WildBlue.
- TV: Satellite TV is available from DirecTV and Dish Network. You can also get regular TV channels from regional digital TV stations.
- Electricity: Electricity for homes and farms in Pilsen and the surrounding areas is provided by Flint Hills RECA.
Famous People from Pilsen
- Emil Kapaun: (1916–1951) He was a Roman Catholic priest and a United States Army chaplain. He is known for his bravery and is being considered for sainthood. He also received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest military award in the U.S.
