McPherson, Kansas

City in McPherson County, Kansas

City and County seat in Kansas, United States

McPherson, Kansas

City and County seat

Sculpture of James B. McPherson (2004)

Location within McPherson County and Kansas

KDOT map of McPherson County (legend)

Coordinates: 38°22′17″N 97°39′38″W﻿ / ﻿38.37139°N 97.66056°W﻿ / 38.37139; -97.66056[1]
Country| United States
State| Kansas
County| McPherson
Founded| 1870
Incorporated| 1874
Named for| James B. McPherson
Area

[2]

• Total

| 7.48 sq mi (19.38 km2)
• Land| 7.43 sq mi (19.25 km2)
• Water| 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)
Elevation

[1]

| 1,493 ft (455 m)
Population

(2020)[3][4]

• Total

| 14,082
• Density| 1,900/sq mi (730/km2)
Time zone| UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)| UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code|

67460

Area code| 620
FIPS code| 20-43950
GNIS ID| 485617[1]
Website| mcphersonks.org

McPherson (/məkˈfɜːrsən/ mək-FUR-sən) is a city in and the county seat of McPherson County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 14,082.[3][4] The city is named after Union General James Birdseye McPherson, a Civil War general.[5] It is home to McPherson College and Central Christian College.

## History

[edit]

See also: History of Kansas

### 19th century

[edit]

1915 Railroad Map of McPherson County

For millennia, the land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans. In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, McPherson County was founded.

McPherson was founded in 1870 by the twelve members of the McPherson Town Company.[6] In 1887, city officials began a failed attempt to have the community named the state capital.

The first post office in McPherson was established in 1873.[7] McPherson was incorporated as a city in 1874.[8]

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 and McPherson counties chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company.[9] In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson. In 1880 it was extended to Lyons and in 1881 it was extended to Ellinwood.[10] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion was abandoned in 1968.[11] 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 and Ellinwood.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a main line from Herington through McPherson to Pratt.[12] 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".

By 1888, the community was at the junction of four railroad lines. Major industries have included a large flour mill, an insurance company headquarters, and an oil refinery.

### 20th century

[edit]

McPherson Union Hotel, 1907 postcard

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

In the 1930s, the local refinery sponsored the McPherson Globe Refiners basketball team (AAU). They were coached by Gene Johnson, former head coach of Wichita University (now Wichita State University). The Refiners were best known for their tall centers, Joe Fortenberry (6–8) and Willard Schmidt (6–9) and their fast-break style of play. Billed as "The Tallest Team in the World", the Refiners often held their opponents to low scores because of the centers' ability to deflect shots on the way to the basket in what today would be called goaltending.[citation needed] Coach Johnson was one of the innovators of the fast break and full-court press. The Refiners won the AAU national championship in 1936 against the Hollywood Universal team. This earned them the right to compete for the first ever USA Olympic basketball team in 1936. Hollywood Universal narrowly beat the Refiners at Madison Square Garden and the USA team was composed of both Universal and Refiners players and one college student. Coach Johnson was selected to be the assistant coach. After a long journey by boat to Europe, the team played in alternating squads at the Olympics. The Refiners' portion of the team took the court to defeat Canada 19–8 in the gold medal game on August 14, 1936, at the Summer Olympics. The Refiners' home court is now the McPherson Community Building at 121 East Marlin and can be toured by contacting the local Convention and Visitors Bureau. A mural in honor of the Refiners was completed in 2010 at the intersection of Kansas and Ash, south of their home court in preparation for the 75th anniversary celebration of their victory in 2011.[13]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.23 square miles (18.73 km2), of which 7.18 square miles (18.60 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) is water.[14]

The community is located on U.S. Route 56, just west of Interstate 135. McPherson is part of the Little Arkansas River Watershed that ultimately empties into the Arkansas River in Wichita. Dry Turkey Creek is a wet weather stream that composes several enhanced lakes within the city limits. It feeds the Lakeside Park Lagoon before crossing under East Euclid Street and Kansas Avenue, where it then forms Wall Park Lake.

South and west of town are four units of the reclaimed McPherson Valley Wetlands, acquired and managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Ducks Unlimited, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Prior to 1880, this natural wetlands was an important waterfowl and wildlife habitat second only to Cheyenne Bottoms in importance to migratory bird populations. These wetlands continue to see improvement and development.

### Climate

[edit]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, McPherson has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[15]

Climate data for McPherson, Kansas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 79
(26)  | 83
(28)  | 94
(34)  | 99
(37)  | 106
(41)  | 114
(46)  | 117
(47)  | 117
(47)  | 109
(43)  | 98
(37)  | 89
(32)  | 81
(27)  | 117
(47)
Mean maximum °F (°C)  | 64.7
(18.2)  | 69.7
(20.9)  | 79.6
(26.4)  | 85.9
(29.9)  | 92.5
(33.6)  | 98.0
(36.7)  | 103.3
(39.6)  | 101.7
(38.7)  | 97.2
(36.2)  | 88.8
(31.6)  | 75.2
(24.0)  | 64.2
(17.9)  | 104.6
(40.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 42.4
(5.8)  | 47.2
(8.4)  | 57.6
(14.2)  | 67.1
(19.5)  | 77.0
(25.0)  | 87.9
(31.1)  | 92.8
(33.8)  | 90.7
(32.6)  | 83.3
(28.5)  | 70.6
(21.4)  | 56.3
(13.5)  | 44.3
(6.8)  | 68.1
(20.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 30.7
(−0.7)  | 34.6
(1.4)  | 44.4
(6.9)  | 53.9
(12.2)  | 64.7
(18.2)  | 75.6
(24.2)  | 80.6
(27.0)  | 78.5
(25.8)  | 70.4
(21.3)  | 57.5
(14.2)  | 43.8
(6.6)  | 33.3
(0.7)  | 55.7
(13.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 19.0
(−7.2)  | 22.0
(−5.6)  | 31.3
(−0.4)  | 40.6
(4.8)  | 52.3
(11.3)  | 63.4
(17.4)  | 68.3
(20.2)  | 66.3
(19.1)  | 57.6
(14.2)  | 44.4
(6.9)  | 31.4
(−0.3)  | 22.2
(−5.4)  | 43.2
(6.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C)  | 2.5
(−16.4)  | 5.8
(−14.6)  | 15.1
(−9.4)  | 26.4
(−3.1)  | 37.6
(3.1)  | 52.4
(11.3)  | 58.4
(14.7)  | 56.0
(13.3)  | 43.0
(6.1)  | 27.2
(−2.7)  | 15.7
(−9.1)  | 7.0
(−13.9)  | −3.0
(−19.4)
Record low °F (°C)  | −22
(−30)  | −22
(−30)  | −11
(−24)  | 9
(−13)  | 22
(−6)  | 32
(0)  | 47
(8)  | 43
(6)  | 27
(−3)  | 12
(−11)  | −3
(−19)  | −21
(−29)  | −22
(−30)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 0.90
(23)  | 1.22
(31)  | 2.35
(60)  | 2.98
(76)  | 5.42
(138)  | 4.75
(121)  | 4.19
(106)  | 3.51
(89)  | 2.97
(75)  | 2.44
(62)  | 1.56
(40)  | 1.29
(33)  | 33.58
(854)
Average snowfall inches (cm)  | 4.1
(10)  | 3.3
(8.4)  | 2.6
(6.6)  | 0.6
(1.5)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.1
(0.25)  | 0.6
(1.5)  | 2.9
(7.4)  | 14.2
(35.65)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 4.2  | 4.7  | 7.0  | 8.7  | 10.9  | 9.4  | 8.9  | 8.4  | 6.9  | 6.7  | 4.8  | 4.9  | 85.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 2.6  | 2.0  | 1.0  | 0.2  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.1  | 0.3  | 2.0  | 8.2
Source 1: NOAA[16]
Source 2: National Weather Service[17]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1880| 1,590| | —
1890| 3,172| | 99.5%
1900| 2,996| | −5.5%
1910| 3,546| | 18.4%
1920| 4,595| | 29.6%
1930| 6,147| | 33.8%
1940| 7,194| | 17.0%
1950| 8,689| | 20.8%
1960| 9,996| | 15.0%
1970| 10,851| | 8.6%
1980| 11,753| | 8.3%
1990| 12,422| | 5.7%
2000| 13,770| | 10.9%
2010| 13,155| | −4.5%
2020| 14,082| | 7.0%
2023 (est.)| 13,906| [18]| −1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
2010-2020[4]
McPherson Opera House (2004)

The 2020 United States census counted 14,082 people, 5,645 households, and 3,495 families in McPherson.[19][20] The population density was 1,891.7 per square mile (730.4/km2). There were 6,221 housing units at an average density of 835.7 units per square mile (322.7 units/km2).[20][21] The racial makeup was 85.0% (11,970) white or European American (83.11% non-Hispanic white), 2.29% (322) black or African-American, 0.82% (116) Native American or Alaska Native, 1.29% (182) Asian, 0.06% (8) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 3.19% (449) from other races, and 7.35% (1,035) from two or more races.[22] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 7.48% (1,053) of the population.[23]

Of the 5,645 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18; 47.9% were married couples living together; 26.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.5% of households consisted of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[20] The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.6.[24] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 18.4% of the population.[25]

22.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 12.7% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males.[20] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 100.8 males.[20]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $57,931 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,181) and the median family income was $69,846 (+/- $6,510).[26] Males had a median income of $38,465 (+/- $4,682) versus $26,149 (+/- $1,423) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,004 (+/- $2,858).[27] Approximately, 4.8% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under the age of 18 and 9.3% of those ages 65 or over.[28][29]

## Area events

[edit]

* Scottish Festival & Highland Games were held on the fourth weekend of September of each year. They are discontinued as of 2017.[30]

## Education

[edit]

McPherson College and Central Christian College are located in McPherson.

The community is served by McPherson USD 418 public school district. USD 418 has an Early Childhood center, four elementary schools (Eisenhower, Lincoln, Rosevelt, Washington), McPherson Middle School and McPherson High School. McPherson's mascot is the Bullpups.[31][32] Additionally, private school options are available at St. Joseph Catholic Church & School, serving students through sixth grade.[33]

## Transportation

[edit]

McPherson was located on the National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, that was established in 1912.

Bus service is provided daily towards Wichita and Salina by BeeLine Express (subcontractor of Greyhound Lines).[34][35]

## Media

[edit]

McPherson has a daily newspaper, The McPherson Sentinel.[36] and a weekly newspaper, The McPherson Weekly News,[37]

The following radio stations are licensed to McPherson:

* 1540 KNGL: Talk radio
* 96.7 KMPK: Adult contemporary

## Notable people

[edit]

See also: List of McPherson College people

* V. John Krehbiel, Ambassador to Finland
* Anna Larkin, folk sculptor, lived in McPherson for many years until her death.[38]
* George Magerkurth, Major League Baseball umpire, born in McPherson.
* Sue Raney, jazz singer
* Brad Underwood, basketball coach at University of Illinois, McPherson native.

## See also

[edit]

* Kansas portal

* List of people from McPherson County, Kansas
* National Register of Historic Places listings in McPherson County, Kansas
* Santa Fe Trail
* National Old Trails Road
* Threshing Stone
* List of oil pipelines
* List of oil refineries

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: McPherson, Kansas
2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. ^ a b "Profile of McPherson, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
4. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; McPherson, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
5. ^ Kansas State Historical Society (1916). Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Printing Plant. pp. 231.
6. ^ "First Biennial Report of the State Board of Agriculture to the Legislature of the State of Kansas, for the Years 1877-8". Rand, McNally, and Co. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009.
7. ^ "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961, page 2". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
8. ^ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 205.
9. ^ Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
10. ^ Commissioners, Kansas Board of Railroad (April 5, 1886). "Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners, for the Year Ending ..." Kansas Publishing House: T.D. Thacher, state printer. Retrieved April 5, 2018 - via Google Books.
11. ^ "Abandoned Rails: Lyons to Florence". www.abandonedrails.com. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
12. ^ "Rock Island's Family Tree - Page 4". home.covad.net. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
13. ^ "Globe Refiners mural dedicated - The McPherson Sentinel - November 16, 2010". mcphersonsentinel.com. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
14. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
15. ^ "McPherson, Kansas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
16. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: McPherson, KS". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
17. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Wichita". National Weather Service. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
18. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
19. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
20. ^ a b c d e "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
21. ^ "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
22. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
23. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
24. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
25. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
26. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
27. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
28. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
29. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
30. ^ Arnett, Josh. "Festival of Cultures discontinued". mcphersonsentinel.com. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
31. ^ "USD 418". mcpherson.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
32. ^ Kansas School District Boundary Map Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine
33. ^ St. Joseph Catholic School McPherson, Kansas
34. ^ "Beeline Express". beeline-express.com. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
35. ^ "Home". greyhound.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
36. ^ "About this Newspaper: The McPherson sentinel". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
37. ^ "McPherson Weekly News – CherryRoad Media". www.mcphersonweeklynews.com. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
38. ^ "Anna Larkin". Retrieved February 5, 2017.

## Further reading

[edit]

See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities

See also: List of books about McPherson County, Kansas

See also: List of books about Santa Fe Trail

* McPherson, Kansas: Past and Present, Progress and Prosperity; Freeman Publishing Co.
* McPherson at Fifty - A Kansas Community in 1920s; Raymond L. Flory; McPherson College; 1970.
* Diamond Jubilee McPherson, 1872-1947: Pioneer Days in McPherson; Jessie Hill Rowland; 1947.
* A History of the Church of the Brethren in Kansas (includes McPherson College history); Elmer LeRoy Craik; McPherson Daily; Republican Press; 397 pages; 1922.
* Major General James B. McPherson Monument Unveiling; Alex S. Hendry; 1917.
* Our Railroad; McPherson Independent; September 25, 1879.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to McPherson, Kansas.

* McPherson - Official
* McPherson - Directory of Public Officials, League of Kansas Municipalities
* McPherson – Chamber of Commerce
* Historic Images of McPherson, Special Photo Collections at Wichita State University Library
* All Schools Day - A McPherson Tradition on YouTube, from Hatteberg's People on KAKE TV news
* McPherson city map, KDOT

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