Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

Cottonwood Falls is the largest city and county seat of Chase County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 851.[4] It is located south of Strong City along the south side of the Cottonwood River.

Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
City and County seat
Chase County Courthouse designed by Kansas State Capitol architect John G. Haskell
Chase County Courthouse designed by Kansas State Capitol architect John G. Haskell
Location within Chase County and Kansas
Location within Chase County and Kansas
KDOT map of Chase County (legend)
KDOT map of Chase County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°22′5″N 96°32′35″W[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyChase
TownshipFalls
Founded1859
Incorporated1872[2]
Named forFalls on Cottonwood River
Government
[2]
 • TypeMayor–Council
 • MayorBuddy Sisson
Area
[3]
 • Total0.64 sq mi (1.65 km2)
 • Land0.63 sq mi (1.63 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
[1]
1,207 ft (368 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total851
 • Density1,300/sq mi (520/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
66845
Area code620
FIPS code20-15900[1]
GNIS ID477262[1]
Websitecwfks.org

History
Looking northward toward the business district, as seen from Courthouse steps (2009)

Early history
See also: History of Kansas

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, 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, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century
1893 Railroad Map

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. 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 for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1859, Chase County was established within the Kansas Territory, which included the land for modern day Cottonwood Falls.

The first settlement in the area of Cottonwood Falls was in 1854, when an Indian trader named Seth Hayes founded a cattle ranch on the Cottonwood River close to the mouth of Diamond Spring Creek. The area around the town was organized as Chase County in 1859, and Cottonwood Falls was designated the temporary county seat.[5] Other early settlers arrived in Cottonwood and surrounding lands in 1856 to 1858.[6]

The first post office in Cottonwood Falls was established in 1858.[7] In 1873 the city's French Renaissance style Chase County courthouse was built; at roughly the same time, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway reached Cottonwood Falls area. Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries the area around the city was mainly divided into farms and cattle ranches.

20th century

In 1931, a Transcontinental & Western Air flight crashed ten miles south of Cottonwood Falls near the community of Bazaar, killing all eight on board, including University of Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. A monument to the crash is located on private property.

There have been numerous floods during the history of Cottonwood Falls. In June and July 1951, due to heavy rains, rivers and streams flooded numerous cities in Kansas, including Cottonwood Falls. Many reservoirs and levees were built in Kansas as part of a response to the Great Flood of 1951.

Geography
1914 bridge over Cottonwood River in Cottonwood Falls (2012)

Cottonwood Falls is located at 38°22′5″N 96°32′35″W (38.368159, -96.542918),[8] in the scenic Flint Hills of the Great Plains. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.60 square miles (1.55 km2), of which 0.59 square miles (1.53 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[9]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Cottonwood Falls has a humid continental climate (Dfa) using the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm, or a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) using the -3 °C (26.6 °F) isotherm. Cottonwood Falls receives 37.99 inches (965 mm) of precipitation annually, typical of East Central Kansas. Cottonwood Falls also receives 10.6 inches (27 cm) of snow annually. Since Cottonwood Falls is far from any large body of water, temperature changes between seasons can be severe. For example, the highest temperature on record is 118 °F (48 °C) on July 18, 1936, during the 1936 North American heat wave, but the lowest temperature on record is -30 °F (-34 °C) on February 13, 1905.

Climate data for Cottonwood Falls, Kansas (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1902-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F 77 83 94 96 100 111 118 114 110 97 87 80 118
Mean maximum °F 65 70 80 86 90 95 101 100 95 88 76 66 102
Average high °F 41.2 46.1 57.0 66.8 75.4 84.9 90.0 89.0 81.3 69.3 55.8 43.9 66.7
Daily mean °F 29.5 33.8 43.9 54.0 64.2 73.8 78.7 77.0 68.6 56.1 43.4 32.8 54.7
Average low °F 17.9 21.5 30.7 41.3 53.0 62.6 67.3 65.1 56.0 42.9 30.9 21.6 42.6
Mean minimum °F 0 5 14 26 39 51 58 55 41 27 16 6 −4
Record low °F −28 −30 −8 10 22 40 42 40 28 13 −5 −22 −30
Average precipitation inches 0.87 1.42 2.67 3.54 5.61 4.72 5.00 4.37 3.53 2.83 2.04 1.39 37.99
Average snowfall inches 4.0 1.3 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.4 3.1 10.6
Record high °C 25 28 34 36 38 44 48 46 43 36 31 27 48
Average high °C 5.1 7.8 13.9 19.3 24.1 29.4 32.2 31.7 27.4 20.7 13.2 6.6 19.3
Daily mean °C −1.4 1.0 6.6 12.2 17.9 23.2 25.9 25.0 20.3 13.4 6.3 0.4 12.6
Average low °C −7.8 −5.8 −0.7 5.2 11.7 17.0 19.6 18.4 13.3 6.1 −0.6 −5.8 5.9
Record low °C −33 −34 −22 −12 −6 4 6 4 −2 −11 −21 −30 −34
Average precipitation mm 22 36 68 90 142 120 127 111 90 72 52 35 965
Average snowfall cm 10 3.3 3.3 0.51 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.76 1.0 7.9 27
Source: [10]

Area events

Area attractions

Cottonwood Falls has five listings on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880518—
189077048.6%
19008429.4%
19108996.8%
19201,04416.1%
1930963−7.8%
19401,07811.9%
1950957−11.2%
19609711.5%
19709871.6%
1980954−3.3%
1990889−6.8%
20009668.7%
2010903−6.5%
2020851−5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

Cottonwood Falls is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

The 2020 United States census[20] counted 851 people, 331 households, and 232 families in Cottonwood Falls. The population density was 1,350.8 per square mile (522.1/km2). There were 409 housing units at an average density of 649.2 per square mile (250.9/km2). The racial makeup was 77.32% (658) white, 1.88% (16) black or African-American, 0.24% (2) Native American, 0.94% (8) Asian, 0.24% (2) Pacific Islander, 14.92% (127) from other races, and 4.47% (38) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.9% (32) of the population.

Of the 331 households, 23.0% had children under the age of 18; 52.0% were married couples living together; 30.8% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 29.9% consisted of individuals and 20.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.7.

18.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 103.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 102.8 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[21] estimates show that the median household income was $40,739 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,271) and the median family income $56,667 (+/- $13,166). Males had a median income of $29,750 (+/- $5,519) versus $26,438 (+/- $4,200) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $28,000 (+/- $3,976). Approximately, 4.7% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under the age of 18 and 3.7% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census[22] of 2010, there were 903 people, 342 households, and 205 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,530.5 inhabitants per square mile (590.9/km2). There were 414 housing units at an average density of 701.7 per square mile (270.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% White, 3.4% African American, 0.2% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.0% of the population.

There were 342 households, of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age in the city was 43.3 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 23.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 966 people, 375 households, and 227 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,674.9 inhabitants per square mile (646.7/km2). There were 427 housing units at an average density of 740.3 per square mile (285.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.93% White, 2.38% African American, 1.14% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.83% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.

There were 375 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $28,947, and the median income for a family was $37,986. Males had a median income of $27,639 versus $19,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,166. About 8.8% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government
U.S. Post Office in Cottonwood Falls (2009)

City

The Cottonwood Falls government consists of a mayor and five council members; the council meets the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. City Council Members are elected in odd-numbered years and serve four-year terms.[2][24]

  • City Hall, 220 Broadway St.

County
  • Chase County Courthouse, Broadway St.
  • Chase County Sheriff Department, 201 Walnut St.
  • Chase County Fire Department, 201 Walnut.

U.S.
  • U.S. Post Office, 206 Broadway St.
  • U.S. Consolidated Farm Service Agency, 219 Broadway St.
  • National Park Service (U.S. Dept of Interior), 226 Broadway St.

Education

Primary and Secondary Education

The community is served by Chase County USD 284 public school district. It has two schools.

The Chase County High School mascot is Chase County Bulldogs.[25]

The former Cottonwood Falls High School mascot was Cottonwood Falls Wildcats.[26]

Library
  • Burnley Memorial Library, 401 Oak St.

Infrastructure

Transportation

K-177 highway passes north–south through the city. Chase County Airport, FAA:9K0,[27] located south-east of 8th St and Airport Rd.[28]

Utilities
  • Burnley Memorial Library, 2006
    Burnley Memorial Library, 2006
  • Courthouse Clock Tower, 2009
    Courthouse Clock Tower, 2009
  • People congregate in the town square during a parade in June 1974
    People congregate in the town square during a parade in June 1974

Notable people

Fiction

In Disney's 1985 film Return to Oz, Doctor J.B. Worley's Clinic is set in Chase County near Cottonwood Falls.

In the 2005 film Jarhead, PFC Fergus O'Donnell is from Cottonwood

The NBC crime drama The Blacklist season 8, episode 13 "Anne" is set and was partially filmed in Cottonwood Falls.

See also

References
  1. "Cottonwood Falls, Kansas", Geographic Names Information System, United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior
  2. "City of Cottonwood Falls". The League of Kansas Municipalities. May 26, 2019.
  3. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. "Profile of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  5. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 459.
  6. William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/chase/chase-co-p1.html
  7. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  10. "Climate". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  11. Prairie Fire Festival - Kansas Travel
  12. National Register of Historic Places - Cartter Building
  13. National Register of Historic Places - Chase County Courthouse
  14. National Register of Historic Places - Chase County National Bank
  15. National Register of Historic Places - Cottonwood River Bridge
  16. Cottonwood Falls Dam & Bridge - Kansas Travel
  17. National Register of Historic Places - Samuel N Wood House
  18. Kansas Historical Marker - A Landmark Of Distinction
  19. Chase Lake Falls - Kansas Travel
  20. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  21. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  22. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  23. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  24. Cottonwood Falls - Government Archived 2010-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
  25. "Chase County USD 284". USD 284. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  26. "Cottonwood Falls Wins District at Florence", The Emporia Gazette, 3 March 1958, p.5.
  27. Chase County Airport map
  28. Chase County Airport information Archived 2010-03-28 at the Wayback Machine
  29. "Not connected and no Netflix: It's frankly embarrassing' in these Kansas towns". The Wichita Eagle. February 9, 2020. Archived from the original on February 9, 2020.
  30. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1933,' Biographical Sketch of Harley A. Martin, pg. 253

Further reading
See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
See also: List of books about Chase County, Kansas
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