Concordia, Kansas
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| Concordia, Kansas | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Cloud |
| Government | |
| - City Manager |
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| Area | |
| - Total | 3.4 sq mi (8.8 km²) |
| - Land | 3.4 sq mi (8.8 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,388 ft (423 m) |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Total | 5,281 |
| - Density | 1,690.5/sq mi (652.7/km²) |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 66901 |
| Area code(s) | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-15200[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0473311[2] |
Concordia is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. The population was 5,714 at the 2000 census, and it was estimated to be 5,281 in the year 2006.[3] It is the county seat of Cloud County.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Geography and climate
Concordia is located at (39.569035, -97.658398)[5] and is at an elevation of 1,369 feet.[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), all of it land.
| Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High °F | 74 | 86 | 88 | 98 | 102 | 109 | 109 | 108 | 109 | 96 | 84 | 82 |
| Norm High °F | 36.3 | 42.9 | 53.9 | 64.4 | 74 | 85 | 90.7 | 88.4 | 79.9 | 67.9 | 51 | 39.6 |
| Norm Low °F | 16.9 | 21.9 | 31.1 | 41.2 | 51.9 | 61.8 | 67.4 | 65.6 | 56.1 | 44 | 30.5 | 20.8 |
| Rec Low °F | -17 | -15 | -7 | 14 | 26 | 41 | 48 | 45 | 29 | 14 | -4 | -26 |
| Precip (in) | 0.66 | 0.73 | 2.35 | 2.45 | 4.2 | 3.95 | 4.2 | 3.24 | 2.5 | 1.84 | 1.45 | 0.86 |
| Source: USTravelWeather.com [3] | ||||||||||||
[edit] Demographics
Concordia's population was estimated to be 5,281 in the year 2006, a decrease of 402, or -7.1%, over the previous six years.[3]
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 5,714 people, 2,310 households, and 1,399 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,689.0 people per square mile (652.7/km²). There were 2,671 housing units at an average density of 789.5/sq mi (305.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.90% White, 0.58% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.
There were 2,310 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 23.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,398, and the median income for a family was $40,389. Males had a median income of $27,764 versus $20,885 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,019. About 7.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
[edit] 1860-1900
Concordia holds the unique distinction of being elected the county seat before the town was created[7]. The founder of the town, James M. Hagaman had created a complete layout of the town on paper including streets, blocks, courthouse, and parks. The name "Concordia" was chosen because a member of the early group of promoters ("Cap" Snyder) had once lived in Concordia, Missouri.
December 1869 was the first election for the county seat with Concordia, Clyde and the now defunct town Sibley. Without a clear majority, a second election was held between Concordia and Sibley on January 4, 1870. Concordia was declared the winner over Sibley 165 votes to 129.
It was over a year later when Concordia officially became a town when the Republican Land District Office opened on January 16, 1871. The Concordia Land Office continued until February 28, 1889 when it was consolidated with the land office in Topeka, Kansas.
Also in 1871, Concordia elected its first mayor, R. E. Allen. Under his leadership, Concordia was officially incorporated as a third class city under Kansas law in August 1872.
Concordia was visited in its early years by many traveling shows. As early as 1876 various traveling entertainers including Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill Cody, Ringling Brothers, and others came to Concordia. In 1892, the Ringling train wrecked east of the town killing two men and twenty horses, but the show played the next day to a crowd of 4,000.
[edit] Early 1900s
Carrie Nation visited Concordia in the early 1900s. Records are mixed, but the date is placed between 1908 and 1910. The Concordia Blade newspaper (now the Concordia Blade-Empire) reported:
"Carrie Nation is in town. That wonderfully brave little woman who started the crusade against Kansas saloons lectured at the M.E. Church this afternoon, and will talk again tonight at the courthouse. While in this city she is the guest of Mrs. George Mohr."
[edit] Attractions
[edit] The Brown Grand Theatre
In November 1905, Concordia resident Colonel Napoleon Bonaparte Brown announced to the townspeople his plans to build a fully outfitted opera house for Concordia. Renowned Kansas City theatre architect Carl Boiler was hired to prepare the design drawings and the blueprints.
Restored to its original 1907 splendor, the 650 seat Brown Grand Theatre now serves as a tourist attraction and performing arts/community center for Concordia and North Central Kansas.
[edit] Camp Concordia
During World War II, a German prisoner of war camp was maintained a few miles north of Concordia. The original guard house remains and has been restored.
[edit] Cloud County Historical Museum
The Museum preserves and exhibits objects and documents of historical items representing early-day Kansas. It is housed in the former 1908 Andrew Carnegie Library building and a large newer annex. The treasures of Cloud County, Kansas are exhibited for your viewing - nature, radio, railroads, quilts, photography, toys, vintage clothing and furniture, musical instruments, fossils, tools, and stained glass.
Records are on display of the military Prisoner of War Camp, churches, organizations, schools, and businesses. Displays of glass cutting, rare coins and books, rock and gem shop, micro-film of county newspapers and many others too numerous to list.
Large displays in the annex include the "must see" 1908 Lincoln-Page Airplane, an 1898 Holsman belt driven horseless carriage, and a 1915] Model T Ford.
[edit] Cloud County Veterans Memorial
The Veterans Memorial is housed in the courthouse block of Concordia. The memorial includes an "eternal flame" that has been burning since the monument was established on November 11, 1968.
[edit] National Orphan Train complex
Concordia is the home of the national Orphan Train complex, housed in the restored historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot. The complex currently houses a museum and research center dedicated to the preservation of the stories and artifacts of those who were part of the Orphan Train Movement from 1854-1929.[8]
[edit] Nazareth Motherhouse
The Nazareth Convent and Academy is the official Motherhouse and Home for the 260 Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia. It was built in 1903 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The sisters quickly gained a fine reputation for the education of young women at Nazareth, giving them a sound academic program and instruction in the fine arts, music, French and the social graces. In 1903, the Sisters of St. Joseph entered the health care field in Concordia with the establishment of the St. Joseph Hospital on the original site after the new Nazareth Motherhouse was built at its present location.
[edit] Historic bridges
The most common historic bridge visited is the Republican River Pegram Truss, a three-span through truss bridge built in 1893 for the Union Pacific Railway. As of 2007 the bridge is used for local automobile traffic. Other bridges in the area are the County Line Bowstring bridge near Hollis and the Pott's Ford Bridge near Glasco. All three bridges are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
[edit] Stained Glass Tour
Concordia claims the title "The Stained Glass Capital of Kansas" and a local tour has been established. Although common in many houses of worship, many private residences also have quality stained glass installed and available for viewing on the tour.
[edit] Small game hunting
Small game hunting (particularly game birds such as pheasant, quail, and dove) attracts a large number of people from all over the world. Opening Day of hunting season is an especially active day for Concordia as it brings a large number of visitors and a boost to the local economy.
[edit] Camping
The city of Concordia has complementary overnight camping available at Airport Park, one of several city parks. Airport Park is located at the Blosser Municipal Airport (see below).
[edit] Aviation
Concordia is the host of Blosser Municipal Airport (CNK). Blosser Municipal Airport is publicly owned by the City of Concordia. The National Weather Service and the Kansas National Guard maintain facilities at this location.
[edit] Communications
[edit] Radio
Radio Stations KNCK (1390 AM) and KCKS (94.9 FM) operate from the same broadcasting facility in Concordia and are privately owned. Radio Station KVCO (88.3 FM) operate as a broadcast journalism project by Cloud County Community College in Concordia. KVCO is publicly owned and operated by the school.
[edit] Newspaper
The Concordia Blade-Empire is the official county newspaper and publishes its edition five days a week from its location in Concordia.
[edit] Education
[edit] Elementary and secondary education
The city maintains an active elementary and secondary school district[9]. Public Elementary Education for grades K-6 are completed in the district across several buildings. Public secondary education for grades 7-12 is completed at Concordia Junior-Senior High School. Class sizes typically range between 80 to 120 students.
The school district also runs the Cloud County Alternative High School[10], primarily for area non-traditional students. Students can earn their diploma online or through computer-based classes. Enrollment is very small, typically graduating less than ten students each year.
The Catholic Church in Concordia operated Notre Dame High School[11] a private Catholic High School from 1962 to 1969. It remained open as a Catholic grade school until 1971, when the local district purchased the property and has used it for fifth and sixth grades under the name Concordia Middle School.
[edit] Post-secondary education
Concordia is the location of Cloud County Community College, a two-year junior college.
[edit] Public library
Concordia is home to the Frank Carlson Library, a public library named for former Kansas governor Frank Carlson.
[edit] Notable residents
- Amber Campbell, recipient of National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Award and DNA/Paleopathology researcher [12]
- Boston Corbett Union American Civil War soldier, famous for shooting John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln[13]
- Charles H. Blosser, local businessman and namesake of Blosser Municipal Airport in Concordia
- Most Reverend Charles Joseph Chaput, OFM Cap, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado
- Napoleon Bonaparte Brown, local businessman and philanthropist, namesake of the Brown Grand Theatre in Concordia
- Frank Carlson, former Congressman, Senator, and Governor of Kansas
- Keith Christensen, former NFL football player New Orleans Saints[14]
- Billy Dewell, former NFL football player Chicago Cardinals[15]
- Larry Hartshorn, former NFL football player Chicago Cardinals [16]
- Mike Gardner, collegiate head football coach at Tabor College and later at Malone College [17]
- Tim McCarty, collegiate football coach
- Robert E. Pearson, movie director
- Ernie Quigley, professional basketball referee and as an umpire in Major League Baseball
- Jason Rees, professional baseball player in the Israel Baseball League
- Marilyn Schreffler, American actress who provided voice-overs for several animated TV programs
- Shanele Stires, Former WNBA basketball player Minnesota Lynx and college basketball coach
- Deanell Reece Tacha, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- Kaye Vaughan, former Canadian Football League and Hall of Fame player with the Ottawa Rough Riders, winner CFL's Outstanding Lineman Award[18]
[edit] References
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Annual estimates of the population to 2006-07-01. Released 2007-06-28. Population change is from 2000-07-01 to 2006-07-01.
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Cloud County, KS
- ^ Cloud County, Part 2
- ^ National Orphan Train Complex
- ^ Concordia Kansas Public Schools
- ^ Concordia Kansas Public Schools
- ^ Notre Dame High School Class Of
- ^ Concordia Kansas Public Schools - Where are they now? - Amber Campbell - CHS 2001
- ^ Boston Corbett
- ^ New Orleans Saints 1969 Stats, History, Awards and More
- ^ [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=DEWELBIL01 Billy Dewel Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com
- ^ Larry Hartshorn Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com
- ^ Malone College : January 27, 2006
- ^ Concordia Kansas Public Schools - Where Are They Now - Kaye Vaughn - Class of 1949
- Bell, Rachel Lowrey (1998a). A Proud Past... A Pictorial History of Concordia, Kansas, Marceline, Missouri: D-Books Publishing.
- Emery, Janet Pease (1970a). It Takes People to Make a Town, Salina, Kansas: Arrow Printing Company. Library of Congress number 75-135688.
[edit] External links
- Concordia, Kansas is at coordinates Coordinates:
- Concordia Chamber of Commerce
- Concordia Blade-Empire newspaper
- Blosser Municipal Airport
- Local school district
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