Schoenchen is a city in Ellis County, Kansas, United States.

History

Following a dispute over the proposed relocation of nearby Liebenthal, Volga German settlers founded Schoenchen in April 1877. They originally named the community San Antonio, but then renamed it Schoenchen after one of the villages they immigrated from in Russia. The settlers built their first church in 1880, replacing it in 1901 with a permanent structure, St. Anthony Catholic Church, which still stands. The community's first post office opened in 1902.

Geography

Schoenchen is located one-half mile west of U.S. Route 183 and is roughly south of Hays, the county seat, northwest of Wichita, and west of Kansas City. The confluence of the river and one of its tributaries, Lookout Hollow, is immediately northwest of the community.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , 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, Schoenchen has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 207 people, 76 households, and 59 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 86 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 1.9% American Indian, 1.4% from other races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 76 households, of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 1.3% had a male householder with no wife present, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72, and the average family size was 3.10. As of 2012, the median home value in the city was $85,000, and the median selected monthly owner cost was $919 for housing units with a mortgage and $525 for those without.

Schoenchen lies within Kansas's 1st U.S. Congressional District. For the purposes of representation in the Kansas Legislature, the city is located in the 40th district of the Kansas Senate and the 110th district of the Kansas House of Representatives.

Schoenchen High School closed in 1966 due to school unification. The Schoenchen High School mascot was Schoenchen Bluejays.

Schoenchen Elementary School operated for several years after the high school closure. The mascot was the Cardinals.

Infrastructure

Transportation

U.S. Route 183 runs north–south east of the city. Schoenchen Road, a paved county road, runs east–west through the city.

Culture

Points of interest

The Schoenchen Community Center, housed in a former bar and grill, is the community's polling place and event venue, hosting Schoenchen's annual German Feast.

References

Further reading

  • Schoenchen - Directory of Public Officials