Selma, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Selma, Kansas
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 Selma, Kansas
Location in Kansas
Selma, Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Anderson |
| Elevation | 1,063 ft (324 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| FIPS code | 20-63925 |
| GNIS ID | 477894 |
Selma is a small, unincorporated community located in Anderson County, Kansas, in the United States. It's about four miles north-northeast of a town called Kincaid, right next to a railroad track.
Contents
Selma's Story: A Look Back in Time
Selma has a cool history, even though it's a small place today. Let's explore what it was like many years ago!
Early Days and Businesses
A post office opened in Selma way back in 1887. It helped people send and receive mail for many years, until it closed in 1956.
At one time, Selma was a busy little town. It had a one-room elementary school where kids learned. There were also two churches, a Christian church and a Methodist church.
The town had many useful businesses. You could find a blacksmith shop, a hotel, and a general store. There was also a drug store, a lumber yard, and a service station. For a short time, Selma even had its own doctor!
Newspapers in Selma
Believe it or not, Selma had its own newspapers! Imagine a small town with its own news.
- The Telephone was published from April 1895 to March 1896.
- The Selma News-Herald was printed from 1965 to 1968.
How Selma Got Its Name
Selma started in 1887 where two different railroads met. The Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota (KN&D) railroad called its station "Trilby." But the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) railroad called the spot "Selma."
Eventually, "Selma" became the official name for the town. The KN&D railroad stopped running in 1934. The MKT railroad kept its station in Selma until the 1940s.
Selma was once an important place for loading livestock onto trains. This was on the Katy's line that went from Kansas City to Parsons. The Union Pacific railroad bought this line in 1988, and it's still used today!
Community Life and Changes
Over the years, Selma lost most of its businesses. But two important places stayed for a long time: the Methodist Church and the old school building.
The school was built in 1921. After Selma Elementary School closed in 1964, the building became a community center. It was a place where people could meet and hold events.
The community had active groups like a 4-H club and church organizations. The Methodist Church was a central part of the community.
However, in 2001, fewer people were attending the church. So, the Selma church joined with the church in nearby Kincaid. They built a new church in Kincaid. Because of this, the old church buildings in both Selma and Kincaid were taken down.
Selma Today
Today, only a few people live in Selma. The old school building, built in 1921, is still standing. It's a reminder of the town's past.
