Kanopolis, Kansas

Kanopolis is a city in Ellsworth County, Kansas, United States. It was built on the site of Fort Harker, a United States Army post that housed infantry and cavalry troops involved in the Indian Wars from 1867 to 1872.

History

Early history

For millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th to 18th centuries, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, by the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized under the provisions of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, Ellsworth County was established, which included the land for Kanopolis.

Pre-Kanopolis

Fort Ellsworth was the first frontier fort established in the Kanopolis area. It was built by the United States Army in August 1864 at the junction of the Fort Riley-Fort Larned Road and the Smoky Hill Trail, near the Smoky Hill River. Its purpose was to protect construction of the Union Pacific railroad from Native American raids. Its garrison was relocated west to Fort Hays. In the winter of 1872-1873, Fort Harker briefly stationed troops once more before being deserted one final time. In the following years, Fort Harker became the "Fort Harker Military Reservation".

Kanopolis begins

In June 1880, the Senate passed bill S.194, an act disposing Fort Harker Military Reservation of public ownership and giving the 10,240-acre tract of land to the Interior Department for sale. Imagining their newly acquired land would soon become a "Central Metropolis," and a future capitol because of its location, They laid out land for 150,000 people, These advertisements serve as examples of the boosterism characteristic of the frontier west. One from May 1886 proclaimed Kanopolis "is destined to be the railroad, commercial, and manufacturing capital of Kansas" and said buying land in Kanopolis is the "Best investment in the world." Another in July 1887 declared it to be the only town in the state with railroads running north, south, east, and west and also claimed to have seven factories, thirteen stores, and a hotel. It reported the population to be 600 when the town was "scarcely" one year old. A lawsuit between the Kanopolis Land Co. and R.V. Morgan in 1895 ensued, likely detracting from the company's ability to advertise and sell land. By 1906, Kanopolis' population had fallen to 264.

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, Kanopolis has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 443 people, 205 households, and 111 families in Kanopolis. The racial makeup was 92.1% (408) white or European American (88.94% non-Hispanic white), 0.0% (0) black or African-American, 0.9% (4) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.9% (4) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.26% (10) from other races, and 3.84% (17) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 9.03% (40) of the population.

Of the 205 households, 20.0% had children under the age of 18; 42.9% were married couples living together; 29.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 42.4% of households consisted of individuals and 20.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 14.7% of the population.

24.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.0 males. Males had a median income of $42,500 (+/- $7,614) versus $32,500 (+/- $5,756) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $37,667 (+/- $4,016). Approximately, 8.2% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.9% of those under the age of 18 and 6.6% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 492 people, 235 households, and 151 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 273 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.5% White, 1.2% Native American, 0.6% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.4% of the population.

There were 235 households, of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.7% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.58.

The median age in the city was 48.7 years. 16.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.9% were from 25 to 44; 34.8% were from 45 to 64; and 20.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.8% male and 48.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 543 people, 248 households, and 153 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 295 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 85.21% White, 0.37% African American, 0.18% Asian, 2.76% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.71% of the population.

There were 248 households, out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.1% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $31,413, and the median income for a family was $39,531. Males had a median income of $30,170 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,161. About 4.6% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economics

Independent Salt Company is located over a mile northeast of Kanopolis.

Government

The Kanopolis government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7PM.

City Hall, 119 N Kansas.

Education

The community is served by Ellsworth USD 327 public school district. The district high school is located in Ellsworth. The Ellsworth High School mascots are the Ellsworth Bearcats.

Kanopolis High School was closed in school unification. The Kanopolis High School mascot was Kanopolis Bulldogs.