Williamstown, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Williamstown, Kansas
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 Williamstown, Kansas
Location in Kansas
Williamstown, Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Jefferson |
| Founded | 1865 |
| Elevation | 850 ft (260 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 96 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-79375 |
| GNIS ID | 478821 |
Williamstown is a small community in southeastern Jefferson County, Kansas, United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's an area identified by the government for counting people, but it doesn't have its own official local government like a city or town. In 2020, 96 people lived there. You can find Williamstown south of where the US-24 and US-59 highways meet.
Contents
Williamstown's Early History
Williamstown has an interesting past, starting long before it was officially founded.
The Kaw People and Chief White Plume
In 1825, the U.S. Government built a stone house for Chief White Plume. He was a leader of the Kaw people, a Native American tribe. This house was for his group, who were known as the Half-breeds. In 1827, this area, called Kaw Half-Breed Tract #23, became the Kaw Agency. This was a place where the government worked with the Kaw people. The stone house was about 50 yards north of where the Kansas Pacific train station would later be. By the time Williamstown was planned in 1865, the old stone house was falling apart. However, the creek named after it was still a good spot to settle. So, Williamstown was started on its banks in 1865.
How Williamstown Was Founded
Williamstown was officially founded in 1865. It was located in the Kansas River valley, close to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. It was also right on the banks of Stone House Creek. Local landowners named Mapes, Williams, and Moore helped start the town.
At first, Williamstown was part of Sarcoxie Township. Later, in 1871, it became part of Rural Township. The very first store in Williamstown opened in 1865, run by Samuel Mitchell. A sawmill was also built south of the railroad. The town began to grow slowly, getting a post office, a train station, and a schoolhouse. However, it was a bit hard for Williamstown to grow quickly. This was because railroad officials had also started another town, Perry, just three miles to the west.
Major Events in Williamstown
Williamstown has experienced some big events throughout its history, including powerful natural disasters.
The 1893 Tornado
On June 21, 1893, a powerful tornado hit Williamstown around 7 PM. The tornado moved southeast through Williamstown and the nearby areas. It left a path of destruction about half a mile wide and six miles long. This tornado was very strong. It destroyed almost everything in its path, even knocking over gravestones in Underwood Cemetery. At least 15 people died right away, and many more were hurt. Doctors from Perry came to help the injured. People from Perry and Lawrence also helped search for and rescue people all through the night and the next day. The Sunday after the tornado, the Union Pacific railroad ran special trains to Williamstown. People came to see the damage caused by the storm.
Williamstown's Flooding History
Williamstown has also faced major floods from the Kansas River.
The Great Flood of 1903
In 1903, many towns along the Kansas River were completely covered by floodwaters. Williamstown was hit on May 31. People said the water stretched from one side of the river valley to the other, from bluff to bluff. Back then, there were no telephones in the area. This meant people got very little warning about the rising water. Because of this, many residents lost their farm animals and their property.
The 1951 Flood Impact
The area was hit again by a very large flood in 1951. This flood caused even more damage to homes and buildings in Williamstown than the 1903 flood.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 96 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Education in Williamstown
The public schools for children in Williamstown are part of the Perry–Lecompton USD 343 school district. The old Williamstown Elementary school closed in 2009. Now, children from Williamstown go to schools in the nearby towns of Perry and Lecompton. The building that used to be the school is now the Williamstown Assembly of God church.
