Emporia, Kansas

Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 24,139.[6][7] Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike. Emporia is also a college town, home to Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College. It is home of two annual sporting events: Unbound Gravel (gravel bicycle races) and Dynamic Discs Open (disc golf tournaments).

Emporia, Kansas
City and County seat
Downtown Emporia (2012)
Downtown Emporia (2012)
Official seal of Emporia, Kansas
Logo for City of Emporia
Location of Emporia within Lyon County and Kansas
Location of Emporia within Lyon County and Kansas
KDOT map of Lyon County (legend)
KDOT map of Lyon County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°24′14″N 96°11′34″W[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyLyon
Founded1857
Incorporated1870 [2]
Government
[2]
 • TypeCommission-Manager
 • MayorSusan Brinkman[3]
 • City ManagerTrey Cocking[4]
Area
[5]
 • Total12.11 sq mi (31.37 km2)
 • Land12.00 sq mi (31.07 km2)
 • Water0.11 sq mi (0.30 km2)  0.6%
Elevation
[1]
1,142 ft (348 m)
Population
 (2020)[6][7]
 • Total24,139
 • Density2,000/sq mi (770/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
66801[8]
Area code620
FIPS code20-21275
GNIS ID485571[1]
Websiteemporiaks.gov

History
Sixth Avenue c. 1912
See also: History of Kansas

Located on upland prairie, Emporia was founded in 1857, drawing its name from ancient Carthage, a place known in history as a prosperous center of commerce.[9]

In 1864 the Union Pacific Railway, Southern Branch (later incorporated into the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad) received land grants to build from Fort Riley to Emporia. The road eventually reached Emporia in 1869, becoming the first railroad to serve the burgeoning town.[10] In July 1870, a second railroad, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway reached Emporia, and in the years following the American Civil War the city became a booming railroad hub.[11] In 1888, railroad executive and educator John Byers Anderson donated his personal library to the College of Emporia to commemorate his 50th wedding anniversary, and his former mentee Andrew Carnegie donated additional funds to build a library in Anderson's honor (conditioned upon the new college paying off its mortgage).[12]

In 1953, Emporia was the site of the first Veterans Day observance in the United States. At the urging of local shoe cobbler Alvin J. King, U.S. Representative Edward Rees introduced legislation in The United States Congress to rename Armistice Day as Veterans Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law on October 8, 1954.[13]

On June 8, 1974, an F4 tornado struck Emporia, killing six people, injuring 200 people, and causing $25 million in damages.[14]

On Sunday, March 6, 1988 a heavily armed gunman walked into the Calvary Baptist Church during services and opened fire. The 29-year-old gunman, Cheunphon Ji, had no particular target, killing one person and injuring four others.[15][16]

Geography

Emporia is located in east-central Kansas. It lies along the Kansas Turnpike at its intersection with Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 50, 108 miles (174 km) southwest of Kansas City, 58 miles (93 km) southwest of Topeka, and 87 miles (140 km) northeast of Wichita on the eastern edge of the Flint Hills. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.94 square miles (30.92 km2), of which 11.83 square miles (30.64 km2) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km2) is water.[17] The Neosho River flows along the northern side of the city. The Cottonwood River, one of its tributaries, flows along the city's southern edge and of two large city parks, Peter Pan and Soden's Grove; the two rivers meet near the eastern boundary of Emporia and flow southeast to join the Arkansas River in Oklahoma.

Climate

The city averages about 60 rainy days per year, 59 days with high temperatures of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher, and 124 days with low temperatures below freezing. The average temperature in January is 29 °F (−2 °C), and in July it is 79 °F (26 °C). Annual snowfall averages 10.2 inches (25.9 cm).[18]

Climate data for Emporia, Kansas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 40
(4)		 46
(7)		 52
(11)		 66
(18)		 76
(24)		 86
(30)		 91
(32)		 91
(32)		 84
(28)		 70
(21)		 54
(12)		 44
(6)		 67
(19)
Average low °F (°C) 19
(−7)		 24
(−4)		 29
(−1)		 43
(6)		 53
(11)		 63
(17)		 68
(20)		 67
(19)		 57
(13)		 46
(7)		 31
(0)		 23
(−5)		 44
(6)
Average precipitation inches (cm) 0.7
(1)		 1.2
(3)		 2.3
(5)		 2.4
(6)		 4.3
(10)		 4.9
(12)		 5.1
(13)		 3.9
(10)		 3.1
(7)		 2.9
(7)		 1.1
(2)		 0.9
(2)		 32.8
(83)
Source: Weatherbase[18]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860843—
18702,168157.2%
18804,631113.6%
18907,55163.1%
19008,2238.9%
19109,05810.2%
192011,27324.5%
193014,06724.8%
194013,188−6.2%
195015,66918.8%
196018,19016.1%
197023,32728.2%
198025,2878.4%
199025,5120.9%
200026,7604.9%
201024,916−6.9%
202024,139−3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
2010-2020[7]

Emporia is the principal city of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Lyon and Chase counties.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 24,916 people, 9,812 households, and 5,571 families residing in the city.[19] The population density was 2,491.6 inhabitants per square mile (962.0/km2). There were 11,352 housing units at an average density of 1,135.2 per square mile (438.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84% White, 3.2% African American, 3.1% Asian, 0.8% American Indian, 10.5% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. 14.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.[19]

There were 9,812 households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 3.08.[19]

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 19.7% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males age 18 and over.[19]

The median income for a household in the city was $34,443, and the median income for a family was $47,500. Males had a median income of $32,873 versus $25,821 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,485. About 12.0% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.[19]

Economy

In addition to Emporia State University and other large public-sector employers such as the city and county governments, the public schools, and the county hospital, Emporia has several large private-sector employers.[20] Previously, a Tyson Foods beef-packing plant employed more than 2,400 workers.[20] Hostess Brands has a bakery in Emporia. Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation, founded in Emporia in 1953, by E.L. "Bud" Hopkins, and recognized in 2003 as the city's Large Employer of the Year,[21] makes products for the automotive aftermarket. The Braum dairy store chain, based in Oklahoma City, originated in Emporia in 1952 under the name Peter Pan.[22] Simmons Pet Food operates a multi-acre plant in Emporia that manufactures wet dog food.[23]

On January 25, 2008, Tyson unexpectedly announced the layoff of 1,500 workers (more than 60 percent) by March 25, 2008.[24] The company said it needed to move its slaughter operations closer to where the cattle are raised in western Kansas.[25] As the city's largest employer for 37 years, the Tyson plant creates almost 10 percent of the local economy.[26]

Education

Colleges and Universities

Emporia is home to Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College. From 1882 to 1974, the private College of Emporia previously existed, and since the city had two colleges during its early years, it was sometimes called the "Athens of Kansas."

Primary and secondary

The community is served by Emporia USD 253 public school district, which has one high school (Emporia High School), one middle school, and six elementary schools, as well as an early childhood center.

The community is also served by two private schools: Emporia Christian School (preschool-8th grade) and Sacred Heart Catholic School (preschool-5th grade).

Library

The Emporia Public Library, has been in operation since 1869 and is the oldest in the state of Kansas to remain in operation.[27]

Transportation
Plumb Administration Building & Albert Taylor Hall at Emporia State University (2012)
Lyon County courthouse (2009)

Air

The city is served by the Emporia Municipal Airport.

Bus

Bus service within the city is provided by LCAT, or Lyon County Area Transportation. The agency provides fixed-route bus service to the city of Emporia and paratransit service to the disabled and the rest of Lyon County. The buses are a service of Lyon County, with significant support coming from the Kansas Department of Transportation. The Greyhound Lines has a bus stop in Emporia.[28]

Highway

Emporia is served by the following highways: I-35, I-335, Kansas Turnpike, US-50, K-99.

Train

The former Southern Transcon main line of BNSF Railway (ex-Santa Fe) passes east-west through Emporia. A yard is located in Emporia.

The city was served by Santa Fe passenger trains until the creation of Amtrak in 1971. The daily Southwest Chief served the city from 1971–1997. Service to Emporia station was eliminated in 1997, two years before a fire destroyed the 1884-built station. In 2014, local efforts were started to bring back the station. As of 2018, the future of revitalized service and a new station is still uncertain.[29]

Media
Main article: Media in Emporia, Kansas

The Emporia Gazette is the city's main newspaper, published six days a week.[30] The Gazette also publishes a Spanish language monthly paper, La Voz.[31] Emporia State University publishes a bi-weekly student newspaper, the Emporia State University Bulletin.[32]

Emporia is a center of broadcast media for east-central Kansas.[33] One AM radio station and ten FM radio stations are licensed to and/or broadcast from the city.[33] Emporia is in the Topeka, Kansas television market, and one television station, a translator of the Fox affiliate in Topeka, broadcasts from the city.[34][35]

Culture
William Allen White House (2009)
Waiting for Dirty Kanza (now known as Unbound Gravel) bike race to start at sunrise in Emporia

Points of interest

Emporia has 14 structures on the National Register of Historic Places. They are the Old Emporia Public Library, the Finney (Warren Wesley) House, the Granada Theater (also known as the Fox Theater), the Harris-Borman House, the Howe (Richard) House, the Keebler-Stone House, the Kress Building, the Mason (Walt) House, the Anderson Carnegie Memorial Library, the Plumb (Mrs. Preston B.) House, the Soden's Grove Bridge, the Soden (Hallie B.) House, the William Allen White House (also known as Red Rocks), and the Col. Harrison C. and Susan Cross House.[36] There is also an authentic one-room school house located on the Emporia State University campus (near Merchant Street) that is available for tours through the ESU Teachers College and The National Teachers Hall of Fame.

At the Emporia service area of the Kansas Turnpike is a Kansas Historical Marker named Emporia - Home of William Allen White.[37]

Events
  • "Unbound Gravel" (formerly Dirty Kanza) is a gravel bicycle race through the Flint Hills, starting and ending in Emporia. There are race events for 25, 50, 100, 200, 350 miles. It is held every first weekend after Memorial Day.[38]
  • "Dynamic Discs Open" is one of the largest disc golf tournaments.[39]
  • "The Taste" gives people the chance to visit with wineries, breweries and distilleries from all across Kansas and to taste their products[40]
  • "Great American Market" is a large market in downtown Emporia held on the second Saturday each September – vendors of antiques, collectibles, artwork, crafts, and food.[41]

The 1987 CBS miniseries Murder Ordained was filmed in Emporia. It dramatized an actual event in Emporia involving the 1983 death of Sandra Bird.

Notable people
Main article: List of people from Emporia, Kansas
See also: List of people from Lyon County, Kansas; List of Emporia State University people; and List of Flint Hills Technical College people

Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Emporia include actor R. Lee Ermey,[42] journalist William Allen White,[43] and college basketball coach Dean Smith.[44]

See also

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Emporia, Kansas
  2. "City of Emporia". The League of Kansas Municipalities. May 26, 2019.
  3. "Emporia City Commission". Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  4. "City Manager's Office Directory". Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  5. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  6. "Profile of Emporia, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  7. "QuickFacts; Emporia, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  8. United States Postal Service (2012). "USPS - Look Up a ZIP Code". Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  9. Federal Writers' Project (1939). Kansas: A Guide to the Sunflower State. Works Progress Administration. p. 186. ISBN 9780403021673.
  10. Federal Writers' Project (1939). Kansas: A Guide to the Sunflower State. Works Progress Administration. p. 187. ISBN 9780403021673.
  11. "Railroads in Kansas". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  12. Karen Kilcup (ed) A Cherokee Woman's America: the memoirs of Narcissa Owen 1831-1907 (University of Florida Press 2005) pp. 139-141 citing St. Louis Republic (February 17, 1901)
  13. "Declaring Emporia, Kansas, to Be the Founding City of the Veterans Day Holiday -- (Senate -- October 31, 2003)". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on September 7, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2007.
  14. "1974 Emporia Tornado". National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Topeka, Kansas. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
  15. "Gunman Kills Man in Church". New York Times. March 7, 1988.
  16. "It did happen here". The Emporia Gazette. April 19, 2007. Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  17. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  18. "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Emporia, Kansas, United States of America". Weatherbase. 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2007.
  19. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  20. "Private Sector Employees". Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2007.
  21. "Emporia's 2003 Employer of the Year". Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
  22. "Our History". Braum's Online, LLC. Archived from the original on September 2, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
  23. "Facilities". Menu Foods Income Fund. Archived from the original on August 19, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2007.
  24. "Tyson will eliminate slaughter in Emporia". Emporia Gazette. January 25, 2008. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
  25. "Tyson Plant in Emporia Ceasing Operations". WIBW-TV. January 25, 2008. Archived from the original on January 27, 2008. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
  26. "Emporia Leaders Say They'll Make Do". KAKE-TV. January 26, 2008. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
  27. "About EPL". www.emporialibrary.org. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019.
  28. "Greyhound Lines - Bus stops in Kansas". Archived from the original on August 28, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  29. Redeker, Mary Ann (May 12, 2017). "Future uncertain for Amtrak in Emporia". The Emporia Gazette. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  30. "Emporia Gazette". Mondo Times. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  31. "Record Details - La Voz". Kansas Press Association. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  32. "Emporia State University Bulletin". Mondo Times. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  33. "Radio Stations in Emporia, Kansas". Radio-Locator. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  34. "Topeka, Kansas (TV market map)". EchoStar Knowledge Base. Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  35. "KTMJ TV 43". Mondo Times. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  36. "National Register of Historic Places: Kansas, Lyon County". National Register of Historic Places.com. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  37. "Kansas Historical Markers - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  38. "UNBOUN Gravel". UNBOUND Gravel. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  39. "Home - Glass Blown Open". Glass Blown Open. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  40. "The Taste - Emporia Main Street". Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  41. "2018 Great American Market - Emporia Main Street". Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  42. "R. Lee Ermey". IMDb. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  43. "William Allen White". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  44. "Dean E. Smith". Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2015.

Further reading
See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
See also: List of books about Lyon County, Kansas
See also: List of books about William Allen White
Wikisource has the text of The New Student's Reference Work article "Emporia".
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Emporia, Kansas.
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