Republic County, Kansas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Republic County
County
Republic County Courthouse in Belleville (2010)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	February 27, 1860
Named for	Republican River
Seat	Belleville
Largest city	Belleville
Area
• Total	720.31 sq mi (1,865.6 km2)
• Land	716.38 sq mi (1,855.4 km2)
• Water	3.93 sq mi (10.2 km2)  0.55%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,674
• Density	6.5/sq mi (2.5/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code	785
Congressional district	1st

June 24, 1947 flood of the Republican River on the border of Jewell County, Kansas and Republic County, Kansas near Hardy, Nebraska and Webber, Kansas, just south of Nebraska NE-8 on Kansas 1 Rd/CR-1 bridge over the Republican River. The normal flood stage for the river is at the tree line in the foreground.

Republic County (standard abbreviation: RP) is a county located in the state of Kansas, south from the Nebraska state line. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 4,674. The largest city, and the county seat, is Belleville.

History

1915 railroad map of Republic 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, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. 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 1860, Republic County was established. Republic County was first settled around 1860 by Daniel and Conrad Myers. The territory was principally inhabited by Pawnees, Iowas, and Otoes who peaceable greeted the incoming settlers, who were mostly farmers. By 1868, Republic County was holding elections.

In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick, Lost Springs, Jacobs, Hope, Navarre, Enterprise, Abilene, Talmage, Manchester, Longford, Oak Hill, Miltonvale, Aurora, Huscher, Concordia, Kackley, Courtland, Webber, Superior. At some point, the line from Neva to Lost Springs was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

During the late 19th century, Belleville became the urban center for the immigrants that were attracted to the surrounding areas, most notably from Sweden and Bohemia (now Czech Republic).

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 720.31 square miles (1,865.6 km²), of which 716.38 square miles (1,855.4 km²) (or 99.45%) is land and 3.93 square miles (10.2 km²) (or 0.55%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Thayer County, Nebraska (north)
• Jefferson County, Nebraska (northeast)
• Washington County (east)
• Cloud County (south)
• Jewell County (west)
• Nuckolls County, Nebraska (northwest)

Demographics

Age pyramid

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,835 people, 2,557 households, and 1,685 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 3,113 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.56% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.1% were of German, 13.6% Swedish, 12.4% Czech, 9.2% English, 9.0% Irish and 8.6% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 2,557 households, out of which 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 4.80% had a woman householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 31.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.30% under the age of 18, 4.50% from 18 to 24, 22.10% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 26.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 women there were 93.20 men. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 90.80 men.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,494, and the median income for a family was $39,215. Men had a median income of $25,260 versus $17,274 for women. The per capita income for the county was $17,433. About 6.00% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

2005 KDOT map of Republic County (map legend)

Incorporated cities

Unincorporated cities

• Kackley
• Norway
• Talmo
• Wayne

Ghost town

• White Rock

Townships

Republic County is divided into twenty townships. The city of Belleville is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

Education

Unified school districts

• Republic County USD 109
• Pike Valley USD 426

Notable people

Major League Baseball pitcher Larry Cheney

Arts and entertainment

• Robert Gordon, actor (1895–1971)
• Greta Granstedt, actress
• Harry A. Pollard, silent film actor

Athletes

• Herb Bradley, Major League Baseball player
• Thomas Bushby, player for the Cincinnati "Football" Reds in 1934 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1935
• Lloyd Cardwell, football player
• Larry Cheney, Major League Baseball player
• Dean Nesmith, professional football player, Olympic athletic trainer
• Ronald Severa, Olympic water polo player, 1956 and 1960
• Anthony Zuzzio, offensive lineman for the Detroit Lions

Clergy

• Allen Wikgren, pastor and Bible scholar
• Richard B. Wilke, former pastor in Scandia, writer of the Disciple ministry series

Journalists

• J. C. Humphrey, founder of the Belleville Telescope newspaper

Medicine

• C. M. Arbuthnot, early physician and pharmacist in the county

Philanthropy

• Elizabeth A. Johnson, Kansas history advocate

Politicians

• Clay Aurand, member of Kansas Legislature
• Charles H. Blosser (1895–1989), namesake of Blosser Municipal Airport in Concordia, Kansas
• Edwin C. Johnson, Governor of Colorado
• William C. Perry, 34th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
• Isaac O. Savage, state senator in the Kansas legislature

Settlers

• Ransom Henry Gile, early settler in Scandia
• Thomas Lovewell, founded settlement of White Rock, namesake of Lovewell Reservoir