Chase County, Kansas

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Not to be confused with Chase, Kansas.
Chase County
County
Chase County Courthouse in Cottonwood Falls
Chase County Courthouse in Cottonwood Falls
Map of Kansas highlighting Chase County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: Coordinates: 38°18′N 96°35′W / 38.300°N 96.583°W / 38.300; -96.583
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 11, 1859
Named forSalmon P. Chase
SeatCottonwood Falls
Largest cityCottonwood Falls
Area
 • Total778 sq mi (2,020 km2)
 • Land773 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Water4.7 sq mi (12 km2)  0.6%%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total2,572
 • Density3.3/sq mi (1.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district1st
Websitechasecountyks.com

Chase County (county code CS) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,572.[1] Its county seat and most populous city is Cottonwood Falls.[2] The center of population of Kansas is located in Chase County, about four miles north of Strong City.

History[]

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. In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but 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 for 2.83 cents per acre. In 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

19th century[]

In 1806, Zebulon Pike led the Pike Expedition westward from St Louis, Missouri, of which part of their journey followed the Cottonwood River through modern Chase County.[3]

In 1859, Chase County was established within the Kansas Territory.

In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway extended a main line from Emporia to Newton.[4] In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. This branch line connected Strong City, , , Diamond Springs, Burdick, Lost Springs, , Hope, Navarre, Enterprise, Abilene, Talmage, Manchester, Longford, Oak Hill, Miltonvale, Aurora, Huscher, Concordia, Kackley, Courtland, Webber, Superior. At some point, the line from to Lost Springs was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway.

The south-western border one mile "notch" into Marion County was established under unusual circumstances. A murder had occurred and Marion County didn't want to have the trial, so a section one mile wide and eighteen miles long was ceded to Chase County to ensure the murder had occurred there.[5] The one mile strip of land remains in Chase County to this day.

20th century[]

In 1931, Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne died in a plane crash a few miles southwest of Bazaar, in Chase County, Kansas.

In 1991, the county was the subject of the book: PrairyErth: (A Deep Map).

In 1996, the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was established in the county.

Historical markers[]

  • Landmark of Distinction - The Chase County Courthouse.[6]
  • Chase County and The Bluestem Pasture Region of Kansas.[7]
  • The Bluestem Pasture Region of Kansas.[8]
  • W. B. Strong Memorial Railroad Park.[9]

Historical maps[]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 778 square miles (2,020 km2), of which 773 square miles (2,000 km2) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (0.6%) is water.[10]

Chase County is centrally located in the eastern half of the state in the Flint Hills geologic region. It's located in the Neosho River drainage basin.[11]

Adjacent counties[]

  • Morris County (north)
  • Lyon County (east)
  • Greenwood County (southeast)
  • Butler County (southwest)
  • Marion County (west)

National protected area[]

Major highways[]

Sources: National Atlas,[12] U.S. Census Bureau[13]

  • Interstate 35 All of I-35 in Chase County is part of the Kansas Turnpike and inaccessible to the general public from within the county. The closest access points are via U.S. Route 50 in Emporia or Kansas Highway 177 in Cassoday. There is a private interchange located southeast of Bazaar for loading cattle. The overpass names the interchange the "Bazaar Cattle Crossing."[14]
  • U.S. Route 50
  • K-150
  • K-177

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18601,046—
18701,97588.8%
18806,081207.9%
18908,23335.4%
19008,2460.2%
19107,527−8.7%
19207,144−5.1%
19306,952−2.7%
19406,345−8.7%
19504,831−23.9%
19603,921−18.8%
19703,408−13.1%
19803,309−2.9%
19903,021−8.7%
20003,0300.3%
20102,790−7.9%
20202,572−7.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790-1960[16] 1900-1990[17]
1990-2000[18] 2010-2020[1]
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 census,[19] there were 3,030 people, 1,246 households, and 817 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (2/km2). There were 1,529 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.90% White, 1.02% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.56% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.75% of the population.

There were 1,246 households, out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 31.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.10% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 18.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,656, and the median income for a family was $39,848. Males had a median income of $27,402 versus $21,528 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,422. About 4.10% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.00% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

Government[]

Presidential elections[]

Chase County is a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry this county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936.

Presidential Elections Results

Laws[]

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1988, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.[21]

Education[]

Unified school districts[]

School district office in neighboring county

Communities[]

2005 KDOT Map of Chase County (map legend)

Cities[]

Unincorporated places[]

Ghost towns[]

Townships[]

Chase County is divided into nine townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

Township FIPS Population
center 		Population Population
density
/km2 (/sq mi) 		Land area
km2 (sq mi)		 Water area
km2 (sq mi)		 Water % Geographic coordinates
Bazaar 04700 81 0 (1) 293 (113) 0 (0) 0.17% 38°15′55″N 96°32′3″W / 38.26528°N 96.53417°W / 38.26528; -96.53417
Cedar 11225 116 1 (2) 142 (55) 0 (0) 0.22% 38°8′54″N 96°46′30″W / 38.14833°N 96.77500°W / 38.14833; -96.77500
Cottonwood 15875 184 1 (2) 209 (81) 0 (0) 0.23% 38°17′23″N 96°45′44″W / 38.28972°N 96.76222°W / 38.28972; -96.76222
Diamond Creek 17975 237 1 (2) 373 (144) 1 (0) 0.24% 38°25′31″N 96°40′35″W / 38.42528°N 96.67639°W / 38.42528; -96.67639
Falls 22850 Cottonwood Falls 1,163 9 (23) 131 (51) 1 (0) 0.42% 38°21′55″N 96°32′27″W / 38.36528°N 96.54083°W / 38.36528; -96.54083
Homestead 32950 52 0 (1) 141 (54) 0 (0) 0.27% 38°10′56″N 96°42′14″W / 38.18222°N 96.70389°W / 38.18222; -96.70389
Matfield 45125 155 0 (1) 316 (122) 1 (0) 0.29% 38°8′59″N 96°30′56″W / 38.14972°N 96.51556°W / 38.14972; -96.51556
Strong 68600 Strong City 740 4 (11) 172 (67) 0 (0) 0.24% 38°24′20″N 96°32′18″W / 38.40556°N 96.53833°W / 38.40556; -96.53833
Toledo 70775 302 1 (3) 233 (90) 1 (0) 0.44% 38°24′49″N 96°23′50″W / 38.41361°N 96.39722°W / 38.41361; -96.39722
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on 2002-08-02.

In popular culture[]

Made famous by William Least Heat-Moon's epic book PrairyErth: A Deep Map (1991).

NRHP sites[]

The following sites in Chase County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "QuickFacts; Chase County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ "1806 Pike Expedition map through Marion County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-17. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  4. ^ Santa Fe Rail History
  5. ^ Kansas State Historical Society - Marion County
  6. ^ A Landmark of Distinction - The Chase County Courthouse; Historical Marker; Blue Skyways (archived).
  7. ^ Chase County & The Bluestem Pasture Region of Kansas; Historical Marker; Blue Skyways (archived).
  8. ^ The Bluestem Pasture Region of Kansas; Historical Marker; Blue Skyways (archived).
  9. ^ W. B. Strong Memorial Railroad Park; Historical Marker; Blue Skyways (archived).
  10. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  11. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Chase" . The American Cyclopædia.
  12. ^ National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files". Archived from the original on 2017-05-23. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  14. ^ Google Maps Street View
  15. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  17. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  18. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  20. ^ http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
  21. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-12-26.

Further reading[]

See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
  • PrairyErth (A Deep Map); William Least Heat-Moon; Mariner Books; 692 pages; 1991; ISBN 978-0395486023. (archive)
  • Clover Cliff Ranch: The Land and the People; Paul G. Jantzen; Partnership Book Services; 1997.
  • Chase County Centennial 1872-1972 / Chase County Courthouse Centennial; Centennial Committee; 1972.
  • Chase County - Its Past, Present, and Future; Chase County Leader; May 28, 1914.
  • Plat Book of Chase County, Kansas; North West Publishing Co; 39 pages; 1901.

External links[]

Maps
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