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McPherson County (standard abbreviation: MP) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 30,223.[1] The largest city and county seat is McPherson.[2] The county is named for Civil War General James B. McPherson.[3]

McPherson County
County
McPherson County Courthouse in McPherson (2004)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°24′N 97°42′W
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	February 26, 1867
Named for	James B. McPherson
Seat	McPherson
Largest city	McPherson
Area
• Total	901 sq mi (2,330 km2)
• Land	898 sq mi (2,330 km2)
• Water	2.3 sq mi (6 km2)  0.3%
Population  (2020)[1]
• Total	30,223
• Density	33.7/sq mi (13.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	mcphersoncountyks.us

History

Early history

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

From the 1820s to 1870s, the Santa Fe Trail passed through, what is now McPherson County. The trail entered the county, east of Canton, then south of Galva, then north of Inman, and west towards Lyons. In 1855, Charles O. Fuller established a ranch adjacent to the Running Turkey Creek Crossing about two miles south and one mile east of Galva. Fuller's Ranch provided accommodations for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail and was probably the first white settlement in McPherson County.

Peketon County was established in 1860, by the passage of a bill by S. N. Wood: An act to establish Peketon County. Section 1. - That all that territory west of the sixth principal meridian and south of Township 16, in Kansas Territory, be and the same is hereby erected into a county, to be known by the name of Peketon County. On February 17, 1865, Peketon County was abolished, and McPherson County was made a part of Marion County, which extended from the west line of Chase County to the present western boundary of Kansas.

In 1868, Solomon Stephens and L. N. Holmberg were appointed Justices of the Peace—the first officers in what is now McPherson County. The next year (1869) occurred the first election for the township, now the county of McPherson. McPherson was regularly organized as a county in the spring of 1870, a mass meeting being held at Sweadal. Sweadal, the county seat thus selected, was located about one mile and a half southwest of the present site of Lindsborg. In September, however, the County Commissioners resolved to meet at the latter place, McPherson which had already been located some two years.

In April, 1873, a petition was filed for the county seat re-location. It was signed by 483 voters, and a special election was accordingly ordered for June 10. Upon that day, McPherson received 605 votes, New Gottland 325, King City 3 and Lindsborg 1; McPherson's majority over all, 276. In May the McPherson Town Company had offered, as an inducement for the location of the county seat at this point, the free use of rooms for ten years, and the donation of two squares of land on the town site. The offer was accepted the next month, the County Commissioners selecting blocks 56 and 65. Thus the county seat was established at McPherson and has remained since.

As early as 1875, city leaders of Marion held a meeting to consider a branch railroad from Florence. In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company.[4] In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood.[5] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968.[6] In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, then connected with the original AT&SF main line at Ellinwood.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway extended its main line from Herington to Pratt.[7] This main line connected Herington, Ramona, Tampa, Durham, Waldeck, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Groveland, Inman, Medora, Hutchinson, Whiteside, Partridge, Arlington, Langdon, Turon, Preston, Natrona, Pratt. In 1888, this main line was extended to Liberal. Later, this line was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico and Santa Rosa, New Mexico, where it made a connection with the Southern Pacific from El Paso, Texas. The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway was absorbed by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway. This line is also called the "Golden State Route".

20th century

The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912, and was routed through Windom, Conway, McPherson.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 901 square miles (2,330 km²), of which 898 square miles (2,330 km²) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km²) (0.3%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

• Saline County (north)
• Dickinson County (northeast)
• Marion County (east)
• Harvey County (southeast)
• Reno County (southwest)
• Rice County (west)
• Ellsworth County (northwest)

Major highways

• Interstate 135
• U.S. Route 56
• U.S. Route 81
• K-4
• K-61
• K-153

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1870	738		—
1880	17,143		2,222.9%
1890	21,614		26.1%
1900	21,421		−0.9%
1910	21,521		0.5%
1920	21,845		1.5%
1930	23,588		8.0%
1940	24,152		2.4%
1950	23,670		−2.0%
1960	24,285		2.6%
1970	24,778		2.0%
1980	26,855		8.4%
1990	27,268		1.5%
2000	29,554		8.4%
2010	29,180		−1.3%
2020	30,223		3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

The McPherson Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of McPherson County.

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 29,554 people, 11,205 households, and 7,966 families residing in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 11,830 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.53% White, 0.81% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 1.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.1% were of German, 12.9% Swedish, 12.1% American, 6.7% English and 6.3% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 11,205 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.50% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,138, and the median income for a family was $48,243. Males had a median income of $33,530 versus $21,175 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,921. About 4.20% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.20% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

McPherson county is often carried by Republican candidates. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried this county was in 1964 by Lyndon B. Johnson.

United States presidential election results for McPherson County, Kansas[14]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	9,964	69.01%	4,134	28.63%	340	2.35%
2016	8,549	67.09%	3,226	25.32%	967	7.59%
2012	8,545	69.49%	3,449	28.05%	303	2.46%
2008	8,937	66.76%	4,218	31.51%	231	1.73%
2004	9,595	71.78%	3,589	26.85%	183	1.37%
2000	8,501	68.22%	3,272	26.26%	688	5.52%
1996	8,142	63.20%	3,536	27.45%	1,205	9.35%
1992	5,745	44.22%	3,645	28.06%	3,601	27.72%
1988	6,563	58.79%	4,354	39.00%	247	2.21%
1984	8,630	71.89%	3,185	26.53%	189	1.57%
1980	6,843	58.83%	3,340	28.72%	1,448	12.45%
1976	3,519	57.31%	2,483	40.44%	138	2.25%
1972	7,457	70.56%	2,858	27.04%	254	2.40%
1968	6,420	64.98%	2,893	29.28%	567	5.74%
1964	4,483	45.62%	5,173	52.65%	170	1.73%
1960	7,920	73.61%	2,774	25.78%	65	0.60%
1956	7,521	73.75%	2,603	25.52%	74	0.73%
1952	8,053	74.58%	2,371	21.96%	374	3.46%
1948	5,952	57.54%	3,879	37.50%	513	4.96%
1944	5,840	62.31%	3,321	35.44%	211	2.25%
1940	6,732	60.24%	4,240	37.94%	204	1.83%
1936	4,744	42.95%	6,256	56.64%	46	0.42%
1932	4,098	43.70%	5,003	53.35%	276	2.94%
1928	6,230	79.98%	1,457	18.71%	102	1.31%
1924	5,128	65.99%	1,530	19.69%	1,113	14.32%
1920	4,870	69.50%	1,926	27.49%	211	3.01%
1916	3,806	47.61%	3,737	46.75%	451	5.64%
1912	455	9.79%	1,639	35.27%	2,553	54.94%
1908	2,708	57.39%	1,905	40.37%	106	2.25%
1904	2,991	72.72%	773	18.79%	349	8.49%
1900	2,640	54.61%	2,121	43.88%	73	1.51%
1896	2,269	48.93%	2,324	50.12%	44	0.95%
1892	2,294	48.42%	0	0.00%	2,444	51.58%
1888	2,279	51.70%	829	18.81%	1,300	29.49%

Laws

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, the county remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1996, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[15]

Education

Colleges

• McPherson College in McPherson
• Bethany College in Lindsborg
• Central Christian College in McPherson

Unified school districts

• Smoky Valley USD 400
• McPherson USD 418
• Canton-Galva USD 419
• Moundridge USD 423
• Inman USD 448

School district office in neighboring county

• Goessel USD 411
• Little River-Windom USD 444

Museums

• Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg
• McCormick-Deering Days Museum in Inman
• McPherson Museum in McPherson
• McPherson County Old Mill Museum in Lindsborg
• Kansas Motorcycle Museum in Marquette

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

†This populated place is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

• Conway
• Elyria†
• Groveland
• Johnstown
• New Gottland
• Roxbury†

Ghost towns

• Alta Mills
• Battle Hill
• Christian
• Doles Park
• Elivon
• King City
• Sweadal

Townships

McPherson County is divided into twenty-five townships. The cities of Lindsborg and McPherson are considered governmentally independent and are excluded from the census figures for the townships. 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.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Township	FIPS	Population center	Population	Population density /km2 (/sq mi)	Land area km2 (sq mi)	Water area km2 (sq mi)	Water %	Geographic coordinates
Battle Hill	04550		91	1 (3)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.33%	38°29′2″N 97°25′22″W
Bonaville	07925		66	1 (2)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.34%	38°32′57″N 97°30′34″W
Canton	10500		1,090	12 (30)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.02%	38°23′21″N 97°25′36″W
Castle	10950		225	2 (6)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.12%	38°23′9″N 97°52′44″W
Delmore	17575		138	1 (4)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.15%	38°28′43″N 97°33′17″W
Empire	21200		1,178	13 (33)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0%	38°23′12″N 97°32′7″W
Groveland	29150		234	2 (6)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.12%	38°17′55″N 97°44′37″W
Gypsum Creek	29325		215	2 (6)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.11%	38°33′32″N 97°26′12″W
Harper	30225		137	1 (4)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.17%	38°28′55″N 97°45′50″W
Hayes	30950		287	3 (8)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0%	38°17′55″N 97°52′54″W
Jackson	34850		198	2 (6)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.49%	38°22′33″N 97°46′48″W
King City	36900		544	6 (15)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.13%	38°18′51″N 97°39′8″W
Little Valley	41600		475	5 (13)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.02%	38°13′38″N 97°52′32″W
Lone Tree	42525		486	5 (13)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0%	38°17′37″N 97°32′48″W
McPherson	43975		618	8 (21)	77 (30)	0 (0)	0.23%	38°23′24″N 97°38′57″W
Marquette	44950		776	8 (22)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.16%	38°33′9″N 97°51′30″W
Meridian	45975		341	4 (9)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0%	38°12′43″N 97°26′8″W
Mound	48675		2,104	23 (59)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.17%	38°12′24″N 97°31′22″W
New Gottland	50350		354	4 (10)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.38%	38°28′29″N 97°38′21″W
Smoky Hill	66025		297	3 (9)	89 (34)	0 (0)	0.05%	38°34′35″N 97°38′59″W
South Sharps Creek	67000		112	1 (3)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.18%	38°28′21″N 97°52′11″W
Spring Valley	67750		373	4 (10)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.03%	38°18′2″N 97°25′21″W
Superior	69475		1,640	18 (46)	92 (36)	1 (0)	0.72%	38°13′28″N 97°46′1″W
Turkey Creek	71700		294	3 (8)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0%	38°13′10″N 97°38′23″W
Union	72225		190	2 (5)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.20%	38°33′12″N 97°44′59″W

See also

• List of people from McPherson County, Kansas
• National Register of Historic Places listings in McPherson County, Kansas
• McPherson Valley Wetlands
• Maxwell Wildlife Refuge

References

Notes

Further reading

County

• Through the Years: A Pictorial History of McPherson County; McPherson Sentinel' Heritage House Publishing Co; 1992.
• McPherson County First Courthouse Built About 1869 or 1870; Lindsborg News-Record; March 30, 1959.
• Pioneer Life and Lore of McPherson County, Kansas; Edna Nyquist; Democratic-Opinion Press; 1932.
• A History of the Church of the Brethren in Kansas (includes McPherson College history); Elmer LeRoy Craik; McPherson Daily; Republican Press; 397 pages; 1922.
• Portrait and Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson, and Marion Counties, Kansas; Chapman Bros; 614 pages; 1893.
• Standard Atlas of McPherson County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 82 pages; 1921.
• Plat Book of McPherson County, Kansas; North West Publishing Co; 50 pages; 1903.
• Edwards' Atlas of McPherson County, Kansas; John P. Edwards; 51 pages; 1884.

Trails

• The Story of the Marking of the Santa Fe Trail by the Daughters of the American Revolution in Kansas and the State of Kansas; Almira Cordry; Crane Co; 164 pages; 1915. (Download 4MB PDF eBook)
• The National Old Trails Road To Southern California, Part 1 (LA to KC); Automobile Club Of Southern California; 64 pages; 1916. (Download 6.8MB PDF eBook)

Mennonite Settlements

• Impact of Mennonite settlement on the cultural landscape of Kansas; Brenda Martin; Kansas State University; 1985/1988.
• Mennonite settlement : the relationship between the physical and cultural environment; Susan Movle; University of Utah; 1975/1886.
• Status of Mennonite women in Kansas in their church and home relationships; Eva Harshbarger; Bluffton College; 1925/1945.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to McPherson County, Kansas.

County

• McPherson County - Official
• McPherson County - Directory of Public Officials

Historical

• Old Missile Silo - Monument to the Cold War on YouTube, from Hatteberg's People on KAKE TV news

Maps

• McPherson County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
• Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
• Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society

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