Parsons, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Parsons is a city
in the northern part of Labette County
, located in Southeast Kansas
, in the Central
United States
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 10,500. It is the most populous city of Labette County, and it is the second most populous city in the southeastern region
of Kansas.
it was home to the Kansas Ordnance Plant, which later operated for some years as the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant. In Spring of 2005, the munitions plant was placed on the BRAC
list for closure. The community has rallied behind the current plant operator, Day and Zimmerman, to keep the company on the grounds after closure and to keep those jobs and more in the Parsons area. (See link to "Great Plains Industrial Park" in "External Links", below) Parsons is also home to the Parsons State Hospital & Training Center, which has been in operation since 1903 when it was opened as the Kansas State Hospital for Epileptics.
In 1957 the hospital was renamed Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. At that time it began providing programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. The Hospital occupies 43 buildings on 163 acre (0.65963818 km²). The hospital also includes residential services, the University Center on Developmental Disabilities and the Parsons Research Center for the University of Kansas, the Special Purpose School of the Southeast Regional Education Service Center. The Southeast Kansas Agricultural Research Center of Kansas State University is also located on the grounds, as is the Alzheimer's Association, Heart of America Chapter, Southeast Kansas Regional Office.
The first library began as a subscription library in 1904 and was located in city hall. Parsons Public Library, a Carnegie library
, opened on May 18, 1909. A new library opened on April 18, 1977, and its former building has since been renovated to become a visual and performing arts center.
The sale of Katy Industries to Union Pacific, in 1988, eventually saw the loss of scores of railroad jobs and, in effect, severed a major part of Parsons' city history which stretched back to its 1871 incorporation. While, in return, the city received a million dollars to help it recover (and so that it would not file lengthy paperwork opposing the sale and thus delaying it), that money is kept in a fund by the city government, which uses the accrued interest on economic development projects. The only reminder of the Katy Railroad is now found in the local historical society's museum and of course the tracks, over which trains now speed through Parsons. The Kansas Army Ammunition Plant
also was down scaled in the 1980s.
On April 19, 2000, an F3 tornado cut a devastating path of destruction through the center of Parsons. Eight hundred homes, one hundred twenty businesses, and hundreds of vehicles were destroyed or damaged.
On June 5, 2006 the National Trust for Historic Preservation
named Parsons a 2006 Great American Main Street Award winner for its successful efforts in revitalizing its downtown area through historic preservation. The award was presented during the 2006 National Main Streets Conference in New Orleans
. Parsons was one of only five cities receiving the 2006 award.
In June 2008, new ownership of the daily newspaper, the Parsons Sun, began monthly charges for access to its website, making it one of the very few online newspapers to do so.
Parsons is the home of Dwayne's Photo
, which became the last processor of K-14 Kodachrome
film in the world and was the location of the final frame taken on the final roll of Kodachrome film produced.
The motion picture ZombieGeddon (2003) was filmed in Parsons in July 2002.
and U.S. Route 400
. Along US-59, the city of Erie
(the county seat
of Neosho County
) is 17 miles (27.4 km) to the north and Oswego
(the county seat of Labette County) is 20 miles (32.2 km) south and east. Big Hill Lake
is several miles to the west of the city, and Lake Parsons
is situated northwest of the city.
The Kansas Army Ammunition Plant (KSAAP) is located southeast of the city. The facility was completed in 1942 to support World War II
operations and consists of 21 separate facilities over 13727 acres (55.6 km²). The installation is actively used as a munitions loading, assembly, and packing facility.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 10.4 square miles (26.9 km²), all land.
, there were 11,514 people, 4,738 households, and 2,909 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,111.2 people per square mile (429.1/km²). There were 5,359 housing units at an average density of 517.2 per square mile (199.7/km²). The racial makeup
of the city was 85.54% White
, 8.17% Black or African American
, 1.12% Native American
, 0.42% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 1.90% from other races, and 2.84% from two or more races
. Hispanic
or Latino
of any race were 4.64% of the population.
There were 4,738 household
s out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples
living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household
in the city was $28,345, and the median income for a family was $36,557. Males had a median income of $28,667 versus $21,558 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,763. About 9.9% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.
USD 506 Labette County District Schools (Serves rural and western Parsons inside Labette County)
USD 504 Oswego District Schools (Serves eastern rural Parsons)
Private School
Additional information
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in the northern part of Labette County
Labette County, Kansas
Labette County is a county located in southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 21,607. Its county seat is Oswego, and its most populous city is Parsons...
, located in Southeast Kansas
Southeast Kansas
Southeast Kansas is a region of the U.S. state of Kansas. It can be roughly defined by Woodson County in the northwest, Bourbon County in the northeast, Cherokee County in the southeast, and Montgomery County in the southwest. Geographically it is dominated by a broad rolling landscape located...
, in the Central
Central United States
The Central United States is sometimes conceived as between the Eastern United States and Western United States as part of a three-region model, roughly coincident with the Midwestern United States plus the western and central portions of the Southern United States; the term is also sometimes used...
United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 10,500. It is the most populous city of Labette County, and it is the second most populous city in the southeastern region
Southeast Kansas
Southeast Kansas is a region of the U.S. state of Kansas. It can be roughly defined by Woodson County in the northwest, Bourbon County in the northeast, Cherokee County in the southeast, and Montgomery County in the southwest. Geographically it is dominated by a broad rolling landscape located...
of Kansas.
History
Parsons was named after Levi Parsons, president of the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad. The town was founded in 1870 and incorporated the following year. During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it was home to the Kansas Ordnance Plant, which later operated for some years as the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant. In Spring of 2005, the munitions plant was placed on the BRAC
Base Realignment and Closure, 2005
The preliminary 2005 Base Realignment and Closure list was released by the United States Department of Defense on May 13, 2005. It is the fifth Base Realignment and Closure proposal generated since the process was created in 1988. It recommends closing 33 major United States military bases and...
list for closure. The community has rallied behind the current plant operator, Day and Zimmerman, to keep the company on the grounds after closure and to keep those jobs and more in the Parsons area. (See link to "Great Plains Industrial Park" in "External Links", below) Parsons is also home to the Parsons State Hospital & Training Center, which has been in operation since 1903 when it was opened as the Kansas State Hospital for Epileptics.
In 1957 the hospital was renamed Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. At that time it began providing programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. The Hospital occupies 43 buildings on 163 acre (0.65963818 km²). The hospital also includes residential services, the University Center on Developmental Disabilities and the Parsons Research Center for the University of Kansas, the Special Purpose School of the Southeast Regional Education Service Center. The Southeast Kansas Agricultural Research Center of Kansas State University is also located on the grounds, as is the Alzheimer's Association, Heart of America Chapter, Southeast Kansas Regional Office.
The first library began as a subscription library in 1904 and was located in city hall. Parsons Public Library, a Carnegie library
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
, opened on May 18, 1909. A new library opened on April 18, 1977, and its former building has since been renovated to become a visual and performing arts center.
The sale of Katy Industries to Union Pacific, in 1988, eventually saw the loss of scores of railroad jobs and, in effect, severed a major part of Parsons' city history which stretched back to its 1871 incorporation. While, in return, the city received a million dollars to help it recover (and so that it would not file lengthy paperwork opposing the sale and thus delaying it), that money is kept in a fund by the city government, which uses the accrued interest on economic development projects. The only reminder of the Katy Railroad is now found in the local historical society's museum and of course the tracks, over which trains now speed through Parsons. The Kansas Army Ammunition Plant
Kansas Army Ammunition Plant
The Kansas Army Ammunition Plant was a government-owned, contractor-operated facility, established in 1942, located in Parsons, Kansas. The plant produced ammunition during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The plant was deactivated on March 4, 2009 as part of the Base...
also was down scaled in the 1980s.
On April 19, 2000, an F3 tornado cut a devastating path of destruction through the center of Parsons. Eight hundred homes, one hundred twenty businesses, and hundreds of vehicles were destroyed or damaged.
On June 5, 2006 the National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...
named Parsons a 2006 Great American Main Street Award winner for its successful efforts in revitalizing its downtown area through historic preservation. The award was presented during the 2006 National Main Streets Conference in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. Parsons was one of only five cities receiving the 2006 award.
In June 2008, new ownership of the daily newspaper, the Parsons Sun, began monthly charges for access to its website, making it one of the very few online newspapers to do so.
Parsons is the home of Dwayne's Photo
Dwayne's Photo
Dwayne's Photo is a film processing facility in Parsons, Kansas founded in 1956. It was the last Kodak certified Kodachrome processing facility in the world, until the line was shut down on December 30, 2010 due to lack of developing chemicals.- History :...
, which became the last processor of K-14 Kodachrome
Kodachrome
Kodachrome is the trademarked brand name of a type of color reversal film that was manufactured by Eastman Kodak from 1935 to 2009.-Background:...
film in the world and was the location of the final frame taken on the final roll of Kodachrome film produced.
The motion picture ZombieGeddon (2003) was filmed in Parsons in July 2002.
Geography
Parsons is located at 37°20′21"N 95°16′11"W (37.339070, -95.269747). The city is at the junction of U.S. Route 59U.S. Route 59
U.S. Route 59 is a north–south United States highway . A latecomer to the U.S. numbered route system, U.S. 59 is now a border-to-border route, Part of NAFTA Corridor Highway System. It parallels U.S. Route 75 for nearly its entire route, never much more than away, until it veers southwest...
and U.S. Route 400
U.S. Route 400
U.S. Route 400 is a mostly east–west U.S. Highway, commissioned in 1994. Its route number is a "violation" of the usual AASHTO numbering scheme, as there is no US 0 or US 100....
. Along US-59, the city of Erie
Erie, Kansas
Erie is a city in and the county seat of Neosho County, Kansas, United States, and situated in the valley of the Neosho River, about a mile Northeast of the river...
(the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Neosho County
Neosho County, Kansas
Neosho County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 16,512...
) is 17 miles (27.4 km) to the north and Oswego
Oswego, Kansas
Oswego is a city in and the county seat of Labette County, Kansas, United States,, and situated along the Neosho River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,829.-History:...
(the county seat of Labette County) is 20 miles (32.2 km) south and east. Big Hill Lake
Big Hill Lake
Big Hill Lake, is located 8 miles west of the city of Parsons, Kansas, USA along highway 160. The reservoir holds 1,240 acres of water, with available for public use. Fishing, picnicking, boating, and a sandy beach swimming area are popular activities. The lake is operated by the U.S. Army Corps...
is several miles to the west of the city, and Lake Parsons
Lake Parsons
Lake Parsons, is located in the state of Kansas. Located north on highway 59 and west on 20th road from the city of Parsons, Kansas, USA. Holds of water. public use surround the lake owned by the city of Parsons. Fishing, camping, picnicking, boating, and a gravel beach swimming area are...
is situated northwest of the city.
The Kansas Army Ammunition Plant (KSAAP) is located southeast of the city. The facility was completed in 1942 to support World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
operations and consists of 21 separate facilities over 13727 acres (55.6 km²). The installation is actively used as a munitions loading, assembly, and packing facility.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 10.4 square miles (26.9 km²), all land.
Demographics
As of the U.S. Census in 2000United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, there were 11,514 people, 4,738 households, and 2,909 families residing in the city. The population density
Population 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 1,111.2 people per square mile (429.1/km²). There were 5,359 housing units at an average density of 517.2 per square mile (199.7/km²). The racial makeup
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of the city was 85.54% White
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, 8.17% Black or African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 1.12% Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 0.42% Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander American
Pacific Islander Americans, also known as Oceanian Americans, are residents of the United States with original ancestry from Oceania. They represent the smallest racial group counted in the United States census of 2000. They numbered 874,000 people or 0.3 percent of the United States population...
, 1.90% from other races, and 2.84% from two or more races
Multiracial
The terms multiracial and mixed-race describe people whose ancestries come from multiple races. Unlike the term biracial, which often is only used to refer to having parents or grandparents of two different races, the term multiracial may encompass biracial people but can also include people with...
. Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race were 4.64% of the population.
There were 4,738 household
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
s out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
in the city was $28,345, and the median income for a family was $36,557. Males had a median income of $28,667 versus $21,558 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 $15,763. About 9.9% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
USD 503 Parsons District Schools- Washington Elementary, grades K-5 (closed)
- Garfield Elementary, grades 2-3
- Guthridge Elementary, grades 4-5
- Lincoln Elementary, grades preK-1
- Parsons Middle School, grades 6-8
- Parsons Senior High SchoolParsons Senior High SchoolParsons Senior High School is a fully accredited public high school located in Parsons, Kansas, USA, serving students in grades 9-12. Parsons Senior High is the only high school located within the city limits of Parsons, KS. The school colors are blue and gold and the school mascot is the Viking...
, grades 9-12
USD 506 Labette County District Schools (Serves rural and western Parsons inside Labette County)
- Meadow View Elementary, grades K-8
USD 504 Oswego District Schools (Serves eastern rural Parsons)
- Service Valley Charter Academy, grades K-8
Private School
- St. Patrick Catholic School, grades PK-8
Points of interest
- Parsons ArboretumParsons ArboretumThe Parsons Arboretum is an arboretum and garden located adjacent to the corner of 21st and Briggs Avenue in Glenwood Park, Parsons, Kansas, USA....
- Tri-City Airport (Kansas)Tri-City Airport (Kansas)Tri-City Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located 11 nautical miles west of the central business district of Parsons, a city in Labette County, Kansas, United States....
- Big Hill LakeBig Hill LakeBig Hill Lake, is located 8 miles west of the city of Parsons, Kansas, USA along highway 160. The reservoir holds 1,240 acres of water, with available for public use. Fishing, picnicking, boating, and a sandy beach swimming area are popular activities. The lake is operated by the U.S. Army Corps...
- Lake ParsonsLake ParsonsLake Parsons, is located in the state of Kansas. Located north on highway 59 and west on 20th road from the city of Parsons, Kansas, USA. Holds of water. public use surround the lake owned by the city of Parsons. Fishing, camping, picnicking, boating, and a gravel beach swimming area are...
- Neosho State Fishing LakeNeosho State Fishing LakeNeosho State Fishing Lake, also known as Lake McKinley is located in the state of Kansas. Located north on highway 59 and east on 40th Rd from the city of Parsons, Kansas, USA. Construction of this lake was completed in 1927. The lake covers of water. There are 124 public use acres surrounding...
- Oakwood CemeteryOakwood Cemetery (Parsons)Oakwood Cemetery located at 200 South Leawood, opened on June 1, 1872 as the city cemetery of Parsons, Kansas, USA. Three hundred seventy-five American Civil War veterans who came to Parsons as settlers after the war are buried in a special section which they bought in 1886. They named it...
- Parsons Historical Society Museum
Notable people
- Buck ClaytonBuck ClaytonBuck Clayton was an American jazz trumpet player who was a leading member of Count Basie’s "Old Testament" orchestra and a leader of mainstream-oriented jam session recordings in the 1950s. His principal influence was Louis Armstrong...
aka Wilbur Dorsey Clayton, jazz musician - Derrel GofourthDerrel GofourthDerrel Gofourth was one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Oklahoma State University history in 1974-1976. He played in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers from 1977 to 1982 before moving on to the San Diego Chargers from 1983 to 1984.-External links:*...
, NFL offensive lineman - Bill GuthridgeBill GuthridgeBill Guthridge is a retired American college basketball coach.Guthridge initially gained recognition after serving for 30 years as Dean Smith's assistant at the University of North Carolina. Following Dean Smith's retirement in 1997, Guthridge served as head coach of the Tar Heels for three seasons...
, basketball coach - Clancy HayesClancy HayesClarence Leonard Hayes was a jazz vocalist, banjoist and guitarist born November 14, 1908 in Caney, Kansas. He lived in Parsons, Kansas for a short time, and the town is the subject of his song "The Parsons, Kansas Blues": . He worked always as a professional musician, turning up in San Francisco...
, jazz musician - Shaun HillShaun HillShaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
, NFL quarterback - Deb MillerDeb MillerDeb Miller is the incumbent Kansas Secretary of Transportation, who was appointed by former Governor of Kansas and current United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius. Miller is the first woman to lead the Kansas Department of Transportation and its more than 3,200...
, Kansas Secretary of Transportation (2003-present) - ZaSu PittsZaSu PittsZaSu Pitts was an American actress who starred in many silent dramas and comedies, transitioning to comedy sound films.-Early life:ZaSu Pitts was born in Parsons, Kansas to Rulandus and Nellie Pitts; she was the third of four children...
, actress - Clyde M. ReedClyde M. ReedClyde Martin Reed was an American politician from Kansas who served as both the 24th Governor of Kansas and U.S. Senator from that state....
, Kansas Governor and U.S. Senator - T. Claude RyanT. Claude RyanTubal Claude Ryan was an Irish-American aviator born in Parsons, Kansas. Ryan was best known for founding some airlines and four airplane factories.-Business career:...
, Aviator, aerospace engineer - Vernon SchmidVernon SchmidVernon Schmid is a poet, journalist, educator, clergyman, and syndicated columnist. Is the author of Westering, Otium Sanctum, Houlihans and Horse Sense, and Showdown at Chalk Creek.-References:...
, prize winning poet, author, columnist - Clark TippetClark TippetClark Tippet was a ballet dancer and choreographer. He was a member of the American Ballet Theatre company in New York City. Among other roles, he was the male Spanish Dancer in Mikhail Baryshnikov's production of Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker...
, American ballet dancer and choreographer
Further reading
- History of the State of Kansas; William G. Cutler; A.T. Andreas Publisher; 1883. (Online HTML eBook)
- Kansas : A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; 3 Volumes; Frank W. Blackmar; Standard Publishing Co; 944 / 955 / 824 pages; 1912. (Volume1 - Download 54MB PDF eBook),(Volume2 - Download 53MB PDF eBook), (Volume3 - Download 33MB PDF eBook)
External links
- City of Parsons
- Parsons Public Library
- USD 503 Parsons District Schools
- Labette Community College
- Parsons Chamber of Commerce
- The Parsons Sun (local newspaper)
- Katy Days
- Great Plains Industrial Park
Additional information