Council Grove, Kansas

Council Grove is a city in Morris County, Kansas, United States.[7] It is also the county seat of Morris County. This city is fifty-five miles southwest of Topeka. It was named after an agreement between European Americans and the Osage Nation about allowing settlers' wagon trains to go through the area to go West. Pioneers came together at a grove of trees so that wagons could stay together for their trip west. In 2010, 2,182 people lived there.[8]

Council Grove, Kansas
City and County seat
Downtown Council Grove (2012)
Downtown Council Grove (2012)
Location within Morris County and Kansas
Location within Morris County and Kansas
KDOT map of Morris County (legend)
KDOT map of Morris County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°39′38″N 96°29′23″W
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyMorris
Incorporated1887 [1]
Government
[1]
 • TypeMayor–Council
 • MayorDebi Schwerdtfeger
Area
[2]
 • Total2.01 sq mi (5.21 km2)
 • Land1.99 sq mi (5.15 km2)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation
1,237 ft (377 m)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total2,182
 • Estimate 
(2016)[4]
2,060
 • Density1,100/sq mi (420/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
66846, 66873
Area code620
FIPS code20-15925 [5]
GNIS ID0477021 [6]
Websitecityofcouncilgrove.com

History
1915-1918 Railroad Map of Morris County.
Madonna of the Trail monument in Council Grove (2005)

Council Grove was one of the last stops on the Santa Fe Trail when going southwest. The first European-American settler was Seth M. Hays. He came to the area in 1847 to trade with the Kaw tribe. The Kaw had a reservation created in the area in 1846. Hays was a great grandson of Daniel Boone.

On February 26, 1855, a post office was created in Council Grove.[9]

In 1858, the town was officially incorporated by the Kansas legislature.[10] Hays also opened a restaurant in 1857, the Hays House, which is said to be the oldest restaurant west of the Mississippi River.

In 1943, the United States government brought prisoners to Lawrence. These prisoners were war prisoners from World War II. The prisoners were mostly German people and Italian people. The government brought them because farmers needed more people. They were forced to live in camps. These camps were like prisons. Fort Riley created 12 small camps, and one was in Council Grove.[11]

Geography

The United States Census Bureau says that the city has a total area of 2.01 square miles (5.21 km2). Of that, 1.99 square miles (5.15 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[2]

Weather

Council Grove has hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. The Köppen Climate Classification system says that Council Grove has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[12]

Council Oak at Council Grove (1912)

People
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1870712—
18801,04246.3%
18902,211112.2%
19002,2652.4%
19102,54512.4%
19202,85712.3%
19302,8981.4%
19402,875−0.8%
19502,722−5.3%
19602,664−2.1%
19702,403−9.8%
19802,381−0.9%
19902,228−6.4%
20002,3214.2%
20102,182−6.0%
2016 (est.)2,060[4]−5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

The 2010 census says that there were 2,182 people, 991 households, and 565 families living in Council Grove.[3]

Education
Former Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Depot built in 1894
Aerial photo of Council Grove (2013)

Primary and secondary education

Council Grove is part of Unified School District 417.[13][14]

References
  1. "City of Council Grove". The League of Kansas Municipalities. May 27, 2019.
  2. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  3. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  5. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  8. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  9. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  10. History of the State of Kansas: Containing a Full Account of Its Growth from an Uninhabited Territory to a Wealthy and Important State. A. T. Andreas. 1883. p. 803.
  11. List of Prisoner Of War (POW) Camps in Kansas, Genealogy Tracer
  12. Climate Summary for Council Grove, Kansas
  13. USD 417
  14. Kansas School District Boundary Map Archived July 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine

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