Canton, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Canton is a city in McPherson County
, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 748.
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. 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
. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
. The line from Florence
to Marion
, was abandoned in 1968. In 1992, the line from Marion
to McPherson
was sold to Central Kansas Railway
. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion through Canton to McPherson was abandoned and removed. The original branch line connected Florence
, Marion
, Canada
, Hillsboro
, Lehigh
, Canton, Galva
, McPherson
, Conway
, Windom
, Little River
, Mitchell
, Lyons
, Chase
, Ellinwood
.
In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a main line from Herington
through Canton to Pratt
. In 1888, this line was extended to Liberal
. Later, it was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico
and El Paso, Texas
. It foreclosed in 1891 and taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad
, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad
, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad
. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".
, the city has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it unsubmerged land.
was 1,669.0 people per square mile (640.2/km²). There were 342 housing units at an average density of 688.5 per square mile (264.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.71% White, 0.24% African American (two people), 0.12% Native American, 0.36% Asian (three people), 0.12% Pacific Islander (1 Native Hawaiian), and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.72% of the population.
There were 315 households out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,808, and the median income for a family was $45,357. Males had a median income of $30,556 versus $20,588 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,428. About 4.2% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
419. This school district includes:
made a comment on The Colbert Report about John McCain making a campaign stop in Canton, Ohio
, and "not the crappy Canton in Georgia
." The comment resulted in a local uproar, which prompted Stephen to apologize for the story during his July 30, 2008, show, insisting that he was incorrect and that the "real" crappy Canton was Canton, Kansas, after which he made several jokes at the town's expense. Reaction from Mayor Brad Smiley and local residents was negative and Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius
invited Colbert to "spend a night" in Canton's historic jail. On August 5, 2008, Colbert apologized to citizens of Canton, Kansas, then continued the running gag
by directing his mock derision in successive weeks towards Canton, South Dakota
and Canton, Texas
. On October 28, Colbert turned his attention back to Canton, Ohio after Barack Obama
made a campaign stop there, forcing Colbert to find it "crappy".
Schools
Historical
Maps
McPherson County, Kansas
McPherson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 29,180. The largest city and county seat is McPherson. The county is named for Civil War General James B. McPherson...
, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 748.
19th century
As early as 1875, city leaders of MarionMarion, Kansas
Marion is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Kansas, United States. It was named in honor of Francis Marion, a Brigadier General of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "Swamp Fox". As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,927....
held a meeting to consider a branch railroad from Florence
Florence, Kansas
Florence is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. The city was named after the daughter of former Kansas Governor Samuel J. Crawford. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 465.-19th century:...
. In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
and parties from Marion County
Marion County, Kansas
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 12,660. The county seat is Marion...
and McPherson County
McPherson County, Kansas
McPherson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 29,180. The largest city and county seat is McPherson. The county is named for Civil War General James B. McPherson...
chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company. In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence
Florence, Kansas
Florence is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. The city was named after the daughter of former Kansas Governor Samuel J. Crawford. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 465.-19th century:...
to McPherson
McPherson, Kansas
McPherson is a city in and the county seat of McPherson County, Kansas, United States, in the central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 13,155. The city is named after Union General James Birdseye McPherson, a Civil War general...
, in 1880 it was extended to Lyons
Lyons, Kansas
Lyons is a city in and the county seat of Rice County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,739.-History:Although Coronado's exact route across the plains is uncertain and has been widely disputed, he and his men are thought to have camped near the present...
, in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood
Ellinwood, Kansas
Ellinwood is a city in the southeast corner of Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,131.-History:...
. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
. The line from Florence
Florence, Kansas
Florence is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. The city was named after the daughter of former Kansas Governor Samuel J. Crawford. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 465.-19th century:...
to Marion
Marion, Kansas
Marion is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Kansas, United States. It was named in honor of Francis Marion, a Brigadier General of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "Swamp Fox". As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,927....
, was abandoned in 1968. In 1992, the line from Marion
Marion, Kansas
Marion is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Kansas, United States. It was named in honor of Francis Marion, a Brigadier General of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "Swamp Fox". As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,927....
to McPherson
McPherson, Kansas
McPherson is a city in and the county seat of McPherson County, Kansas, United States, in the central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 13,155. The city is named after Union General James Birdseye McPherson, a Civil War general...
was sold to Central Kansas Railway
Central Kansas Railway
The Central Kansas Railway was a short-line railroad operating of trackage in the U.S. state of Kansas and west to Towner, Colorado, most all of which were former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway lines...
. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion through Canton to McPherson was abandoned and removed. The original branch line connected Florence
Florence, Kansas
Florence is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. The city was named after the daughter of former Kansas Governor Samuel J. Crawford. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 465.-19th century:...
, Marion
Marion, Kansas
Marion is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Kansas, United States. It was named in honor of Francis Marion, a Brigadier General of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "Swamp Fox". As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,927....
, Canada
Canada, Kansas
Canada is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Kansas, United States. It is named for many Canadian immigrants coming to the area.-19th century:...
, Hillsboro
Hillsboro, Kansas
Hillsboro is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. Hillsboro was named after John Gillespie Hill, who homesteaded in the area in 1871. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,993. Hillsboro is home of Tabor College, which has approximately 550 students.-19th century:For...
, Lehigh
Lehigh, Kansas
Lehigh is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 175.-19th century:For millennia, the land that is currently Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans. In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana...
, Canton, Galva
Galva, Kansas
Galva is a city in McPherson County, Kansas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 870.-19th century: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...
, McPherson
McPherson, Kansas
McPherson is a city in and the county seat of McPherson County, Kansas, United States, in the central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 13,155. The city is named after Union General James Birdseye McPherson, a Civil War general...
, Conway
Conway, Kansas
Conway is an unincorporated community in southwestern Jackson Township, McPherson County, Kansas, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 56 and a Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad line, west of the city of McPherson, the county seat of McPherson County...
, Windom
Windom, Kansas
Windom is a city in McPherson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 130.-19th century:In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company...
, Little River
Little River, Kansas
Little River is a city in Rice County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 557.-History:In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company...
, Mitchell
Mitchell, Kansas
Mitchell is an unincorporated community in Mitchell Township, Rice County, Kansas, United States. Located about east-northeast of the city of Lyons, the county seat, it lies along local roads a fraction of a mile north of U.S...
, Lyons
Lyons, Kansas
Lyons is a city in and the county seat of Rice County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,739.-History:Although Coronado's exact route across the plains is uncertain and has been widely disputed, he and his men are thought to have camped near the present...
, Chase
Chase, Kansas
Chase is a city in Rice County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 477.The city should not be confused with Chase County.-History:...
, Ellinwood
Ellinwood, Kansas
Ellinwood is a city in the southeast corner of Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,131.-History:...
.
In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a main line from Herington
Herington, Kansas
Herington is a city in Dickinson and Morris counties in the U.S. state of Kansas. Named after its founder, Monroe Davis Herington. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,526.-19th century:...
through Canton to Pratt
Pratt, Kansas
Pratt is a city in and the county seat of Pratt County in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,835. Pratt is home to Pratt Community College.-19th century:Pratt was founded in 1884 and named after Caleb S...
. In 1888, this line was extended to Liberal
Liberal, Kansas
Liberal is the county seat of Seward County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 20,525.- History :S.S. Rogers built the first house in what would become Liberal in 1872. Rogers became famous in the region for giving water to weary travelers...
. Later, it was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico
Tucumcari, New Mexico
Tucumcari is a city in and the county seat of Quay County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 5,989 at the 2000 census. Tucumcari was founded in 1901, two years before Quay County was founded.-History:...
and El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
. It foreclosed in 1891 and taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad
Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad
-OKT I:The Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad , was originally created on May 29, 1980 after the demise of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad on March 31, 1980...
, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad
Missouri Pacific Railroad
The Missouri Pacific Railroad , also known as the MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River. MoPac was a Class I railroad growing from dozens of predecessors and mergers, including the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway , Texas and Pacific...
, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".
Geography
Canton is located at 38°23′14"N 97°25′40"W (38.387129, −97.427853). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it unsubmerged land.
Area attractions
- Canton is the site of the McPherson CountyMcPherson County, KansasMcPherson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 29,180. The largest city and county seat is McPherson. The county is named for Civil War General James B. McPherson...
Fairgrounds. The McPherson County Fair has been held in Canton since 1948.
- Six miles north of Canton on 27th Avenue and one half mile west on Pueblo Rd is the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. In fact, Canton has been identified as the "Gateway to Maxwell Wildlife Refuge." This section of land is preserved natural prairie, comprising rolling hills, creeks, springs, and beautiful prairie grasses and wildflowers. Here 200 head of bisonAmerican BisonThe American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
and 50 elkElkThe Elk is the large deer, also called Cervus canadensis or wapiti, of North America and eastern Asia.Elk may also refer to:Other antlered mammals:...
roam free. It was established in 1859 by John Gault Maxwell to allow future generations to experience Kansas as it was in the 1800s, prior to settlement. This 2254 acres (9.1 km²) refuge is owned and managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
- Canton has two water towerWater towerA water tower or elevated water tower is a large elevated drinking water storage container constructed to hold a water supply at a height sufficient to pressurize a water distribution system....
s, labeled "HOT" (in red) and "COLD" (in blue). The words were painted on as a tourist attraction in 1956 at the suggestion of local real estate agent Mrs. M.D. Fisher. In fact, both tanks hold water at an ambient temperature.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 829 people, 315 households, and 230 families residing in the city. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,669.0 people per square mile (640.2/km²). There were 342 housing units at an average density of 688.5 per square mile (264.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.71% White, 0.24% African American (two people), 0.12% Native American, 0.36% Asian (three people), 0.12% Pacific Islander (1 Native Hawaiian), and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.72% of the population.
There were 315 households out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,808, and the median income for a family was $45,357. Males had a median income of $30,556 versus $20,588 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,428. About 4.2% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The Canton consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 1st Monday of each month at 7PM.- City Hall, 100 South Main St.
Primary and secondary education
Canton is part of Unified School DistrictUnified school district
A unified school district or unit school district is a school district which includes both primary school and high school under the same district control....
419. This school district includes:
- Canton-Galva Elementary School, located in Canton
- Canton-Galva Middle School, located in GalvaGalva, KansasGalva is a city in McPherson County, Kansas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 870.-19th century: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...
- Canton-Galva High School, located in Canton
Utilities
- Internet
- Wireless is provided by Pixius Communications.
- Satellite is provided by HughesNet, StarBandStarBandStarBand is a two-way satellite broadband Internet service available in the U.S.. StarBand Communications Inc. was initially a joint venture between Gilat Satellite Networks, EchoStar and Microsoft, and the StarBand service was launched in 2000. StarBand Communications filed for Chapter 11...
, WildBlue.
- TV
- Satellite is provided by DirecTVDirecTVDirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
, Dish NetworkDish NetworkDish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
. - Terrestrial is provided by regional digital TVDigital televisionDigital television is the transmission of audio and video by digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV...
stations.
- Satellite is provided by DirecTV
- Electricity
- City is provided by Westar EnergyWestar EnergyWestar Energy is an investor owned electric utility headquartered in Topeka, Kansas. Westar is the largest electric company in Kansas, serving 687,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the eastern third of the state. Westar Energy generates more than 27,000,000 megawatt-hours of...
.
- City is provided by Westar Energy
- Gas is provided by Kansas Gas ServiceKansas Gas ServiceKansas Gas Service is the largest natural gas distribution company in Kansas, operating in 82 counties. It is a regulated public utility which serves 642,000 customers in 341 communities, employing more than 1,100 employees. In addition to owning seven interstate pipeline connections and three...
. - Water
- City is provided by City of Canton.
- Rural is provided by Marion County RWD #4.
- Sewer is provided by City of Canton.
- Trash is provided by McPherson Area Solid Waste Utility.
Popular culture
On July 21, 2008, Stephen ColbertStephen Colbert
Stephen Tyrone Colbert is an American political satirist, writer, comedian, television host, and actor. He is the host of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, a satirical news show in which Colbert portrays a caricatured version of conservative political pundits.Colbert originally studied to be an...
made a comment on The Colbert Report about John McCain making a campaign stop in Canton, Ohio
Canton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, and "not the crappy Canton in Georgia
Canton, Georgia
Canton is a city in and the county seat of Cherokee County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 22,958.-Geography:Canton is located at ....
." The comment resulted in a local uproar, which prompted Stephen to apologize for the story during his July 30, 2008, show, insisting that he was incorrect and that the "real" crappy Canton was Canton, Kansas, after which he made several jokes at the town's expense. Reaction from Mayor Brad Smiley and local residents was negative and Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius is an American politician currently serving as the 21st Secretary of Health and Human Services. She was the second female Governor of Kansas from 2003 to 2009, the Democratic respondent to the 2008 State of the Union address, and chair-emerita of the Democratic Governors...
invited Colbert to "spend a night" in Canton's historic jail. On August 5, 2008, Colbert apologized to citizens of Canton, Kansas, then continued the running gag
Running gag
A running gag, or running joke, is a literary device that takes the form of an amusing joke or a comical reference and appears repeatedly throughout a work of literature or other form of storytelling....
by directing his mock derision in successive weeks towards Canton, South Dakota
Canton, South Dakota
Canton is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, South Dakota, United States. The city was named by Norwegian settler and former legislator James M. Wahl...
and Canton, Texas
Canton, Texas
Canton is a city in Van Zandt County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 5,142. It is the county seat of Van Zandt County.- History :...
. On October 28, Colbert turned his attention back to Canton, Ohio after Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
made a campaign stop there, forcing Colbert to find it "crappy".
See also
- Santa Fe TrailSanta Fe TrailThe Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route through central North America that connected Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1822 by William Becknell, it served as a vital commercial and military highway until the introduction of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in McPherson County, KansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in McPherson County, KansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in McPherson County, Kansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in McPherson County, Kansas, United States...
- Canton Township Carnegie LibraryCanton Township Carnegie LibraryCanton Township Carnegie Library is an historic Carnegie library at 203 North Main Street in Canton, Kansas.The library was built in 1921. It was the last Carnegie library built in the United States built with Carnegie Foundation funding. The library was added to the National Register of Historic...
- Heinrich H. Schroeder BarnHeinrich H. Schroeder BarnHeinrich H. Schroeder Barn is a historic barn at 632 29th Avenue in Canton, Kansas.It was built in 1915 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005....
- Canton Township Carnegie Library
Further reading
- 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.
External links
CitySchools
- USD 419, local school district
Historical
- Historic Images of Canton, Special Photo Collections at Wichita State University Library.
Maps
- Canton City Map, KDOT
- McPherson County Map, KDOT
- Topo Map of Canton / Galva / Roxbury area, USGS