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Spearville, Kansas facts for kids

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Spearville, Kansas
Location within Ford County and Kansas
Location within Ford County and Kansas
KDOT map of Ford County (legend)
Country United States
State Kansas
County Ford
Founded 1873
Incorporated 1885
Named for Alden Speare
Area
 • Total 0.63 sq mi (1.63 km2)
 • Land 0.63 sq mi (1.63 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
2,461 ft (750 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 791
 • Density 1,256/sq mi (485.3/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67876
Area code 620
FIPS code 20-67125
GNIS ID 473738

Spearville is a city in Ford County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 791.

History

19th century

The land for the townsite of Speareville was deeded by the Santa Fe to the Arkansas Valley Town Company in March, 1873, and was surveyed and platted. The town was named for Alden H. Speare, railroad director and president of the town company. The city name appeared as both Spearville and Speareville in the early days.

Spearville's first permanent residents were the Santa Fe section foreman, Jonas Stafford, and his family. Stafford was stationed at this particular watering spot beginning January, 1875. Stafford's wife and daughters opened an eating house, mainly for the accommodation of the section hands.

The first post office in Spearville was established in June, 1877.

Toward the end of October 1892, Spearville was the site of the second robbery of the Bill Doolin Gang, which had been formed in the aftermath of the Dalton Gang's demise in Coffeyville, Kansas. The Ford County Bank was robbed of $1,697 by Doolin and two members of his gang. One of the outlaws, Ollie (Ol) Yantis, was soon tracked down and killed by a posse.

Geography

Spearville is located at 37°50′56″N 99°45′19″W / 37.84889°N 99.75528°W / 37.84889; -99.75528 (37.848750, -99.755318). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.60 square miles (1.55 km2), all land.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Spearville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 156
1900 157
1910 576 266.9%
1920 629 9.2%
1930 703 11.8%
1940 603 −14.2%
1950 610 1.2%
1960 602 −1.3%
1970 738 22.6%
1980 693 −6.1%
1990 716 3.3%
2000 813 13.5%
2010 773 −4.9%
2020 791 2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 773 people, 300 households, and 218 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,288.3 inhabitants per square mile (497.4/km2). There were 320 housing units at an average density of 533.3 per square mile (205.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.5% White, 0.4% African American, 0.6% Native American, 3.4% from other races, and 0.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.4% of the population.

There were 300 households, of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.0% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.3% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the city was 39.9 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 28% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

Transportation

Highways

Spearville Wind Energy Facility

The Spearville Wind Energy Facility opened in 2006, with 67 GE Energy 1.5 MW wind turbines, for a total nameplate capacity of 100.5 MW. It was the second largest wind farm in Kansas at the time it opened, behind the Gray County Wind Farm which opened in 2001. Phase I of the Smoky Hills Wind Farm edged Spearville into third place in 2008.

Notable people

  • Willie Cauley-Stein, Professional basketball player
  • Rick Dvorak, American football player
  • Ignatius Strecker, served as Archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas from 1969 to 1993

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Spearville para niños

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