Chase County, Kansas

Not to be confused with Chase, Kansas.

Chase County
County
Chase County Courthouse in Cottonwood Falls
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°18′N96°35′W / 38.300°N 96.583°W / 38.300; -96.583
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	February 11, 1859
Named for	Salmon P. Chase
Seat	Cottonwood Falls
Largest city	Cottonwood Falls
Area
• Total	778 sq mi (2,020 km2)
• Land	773 sq mi (2,000 km2)
• Water	4.7 sq mi (12 km2)  0.6%
Population  (2020) [1]
• Total	2,572
• Estimate  (2023) [2]	2,579
• Density	3.3/sq mi (1.3/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code	620
Congressional district	2nd
Website	chasecountyks.com

Chase County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Cottonwood Falls. ^[3] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 2,572. ^[1] The county was named for Salmon Chase, a U.S. Senator from Ohio that was a Kansas statehood advocate.

History

Early history

See also: History of Kansas

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles.

In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre. In 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Mexico brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

19th century

In 1806, Zebulon Pike led the Pike Expedition westward from St Louis, Missouri, of which part of their journey followed the Cottonwood River through modern Chase County. ^[4]

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

In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway extended a main line from Emporia to Newton. ^[5] In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. This branch line connected Strong City, Neva, Rockland, Diamond Springs, Burdick, Lost Springs, Jacobs, Hope, Navarre, Enterprise, Abilene, Talmage, Manchester, Longford, Oak Hill, Miltonvale, Aurora, Huscher, Concordia, Kackley, Courtland, Webber, Superior. At some time, the line from Neva to Lost Springs was pulled but the right of way has not been abandoned. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway.

The south-western border one mile "notch" into Marion County was established under unusual circumstances. A murder had occurred and Marion County didn't want to have the trial, so a section one mile wide and eighteen miles long was permanently ceded to Chase County to ensure the murder had occurred there. ^[6]

20th century

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

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

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

The center of population of Kansas is located in Chase County, about four miles north of Strong City.

Historical markers

• Landmark of Distinction - The Chase County Courthouse. ^[7]
• Chase County and The Bluestem Pasture Region of Kansas. ^[8]
• The Bluestem Pasture Region of Kansas. ^[9]
• W. B. Strong Memorial Railroad Park. ^[10]

Historical maps

• 
  1891 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway route map from Grain Dealers and Shippers Gazetteer.
• 
  1893 Railroad Map.
• 
  1900-1905 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway route map of regular stops
• 
  1914 railroad map.
• 
  2000 Kansas population map.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 778 square miles (2,020 km²), of which 773 square miles (2,000 km²) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km²) (0.6%) is water. ^[11]

Chase County is centrally located in the eastern half of the state in the Flint Hills geologic region. It's located in the Neosho River drainage basin. ^[12]

Adjacent counties

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

National protected area

• Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Major highways

Sources: National Atlas, ^[13] U.S. Census Bureau ^[14]

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

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	1,046		—
1870	1,975		88.8%
1880	6,081		207.9%
1890	8,233		35.4%
1900	8,246		0.2%
1910	7,527		−8.7%
1920	7,144		−5.1%
1930	6,952		−2.7%
1940	6,345		−8.7%
1950	4,831		−23.9%
1960	3,921		−18.8%
1970	3,408		−13.1%
1980	3,309		−2.9%
1990	3,021		−8.7%
2000	3,030		0.3%
2010	2,790		−7.9%
2020	2,572		−7.8%
2023 (est.)	2,579	[2]	0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [15] 1790-1960 [16] 1900-1990 [17] 1990-2000 [18] 2010-2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, ^[19] there were 3,030 people, 1,246 households, and 817 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km²). There were 1,529 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.90% White, 1.02% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.56% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.75% of the population.

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

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

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

Government

Presidential elections

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

Presidential election results

United States presidential election results for Chase County, Kansas ^[20]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	1,090	74.71%	345	23.65%	24	1.64%
2020	1,123	75.32%	345	23.14%	23	1.54%
2016	969	70.78%	316	23.08%	84	6.14%
2012	875	68.84%	358	28.17%	38	2.99%
2008	976	70.52%	383	27.67%	25	1.81%
2004	1,055	70.29%	418	27.85%	28	1.87%
2000	848	64.39%	391	29.69%	78	5.92%
1996	778	50.19%	496	32.00%	276	17.81%
1992	610	36.20%	470	27.89%	605	35.91%
1988	884	60.63%	538	36.90%	36	2.47%
1984	1,162	74.01%	393	25.03%	15	0.96%
1980	1,073	66.94%	413	25.76%	117	7.30%
1976	922	57.59%	643	40.16%	36	2.25%
1972	1,184	76.04%	315	20.23%	58	3.73%
1968	1,038	62.61%	462	27.86%	158	9.53%
1964	902	50.31%	886	49.41%	5	0.28%
1960	1,276	64.06%	708	35.54%	8	0.40%
1956	1,553	74.45%	529	25.36%	4	0.19%
1952	1,815	77.76%	513	21.98%	6	0.26%
1948	1,432	58.93%	961	39.55%	37	1.52%
1944	1,510	59.99%	998	39.65%	9	0.36%
1940	1,871	57.78%	1,344	41.51%	23	0.71%
1936	1,610	48.42%	1,706	51.31%	9	0.27%
1932	1,485	45.96%	1,703	52.71%	43	1.33%
1928	2,079	72.79%	739	25.88%	38	1.33%
1924	1,822	62.61%	758	26.05%	330	11.34%
1920	1,659	63.15%	904	34.41%	64	2.44%
1916	1,356	44.14%	1,584	51.56%	132	4.30%
1912	476	25.41%	812	43.35%	585	31.23%
1908	1,021	53.04%	834	43.32%	70	3.64%
1904	1,217	64.39%	562	29.74%	111	5.87%
1900	1,084	52.49%	956	46.30%	25	1.21%
1896	812	44.74%	981	54.05%	22	1.21%
1892	891	47.37%	0	0.00%	990	52.63%
1888	1,126	54.11%	593	28.50%	362	17.40%

Laws

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

Education

Unified school districts

School districts include: ^[22]

• Chase County USD 284 (most of the county)

School district office in neighboring county ^[22]

• Centre USD 397
• Peabody–Burns USD 398
• Marion–Florence USD 408

Communities

2005 map of Chase County (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Chase County. ^[23]

Cities

• Cedar Point
• Cottonwood Falls (county seat)
• Elmdale
• Matfield Green
• Strong City

Unincorporated places

• Bazaar
• Clements
• Saffordville
• Toledo
• Wonsevu

Ghost towns

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

• Birley
• Clover Cliff
• Elk‡
• Ellinor
• Gladstone
• Homestead
• Hymer
• Morgan
• Neva
• Rockland
• Rural
• Thurman

Townships

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

Township	FIPS	Population center	Population	Population density /km2 (/sq mi)	Land area km2 (sq mi)	Water area km2 (sq mi)	Water %	Geographic coordinates
Bazaar	04700		81	0 (1)	293 (113)	0 (0)	0.17%	38°15′55″N96°32′3″W / 38.26528°N 96.53417°W / 38.26528; -96.53417
Cedar	11225		116	1 (2)	142 (55)	0 (0)	0.22%	38°8′54″N96°46′30″W / 38.14833°N 96.77500°W / 38.14833; -96.77500
Cottonwood	15875		184	1 (2)	209 (81)	0 (0)	0.23%	38°17′23″N96°45′44″W / 38.28972°N 96.76222°W / 38.28972; -96.76222
Diamond Creek	17975		237	1 (2)	373 (144)	1 (0)	0.24%	38°25′31″N96°40′35″W / 38.42528°N 96.67639°W / 38.42528; -96.67639
Falls	22850	Cottonwood Falls	1,163	9 (23)	131 (51)	1 (0)	0.42%	38°21′55″N96°32′27″W / 38.36528°N 96.54083°W / 38.36528; -96.54083
Homestead	32950		52	0 (1)	141 (54)	0 (0)	0.27%	38°10′56″N96°42′14″W / 38.18222°N 96.70389°W / 38.18222; -96.70389
Matfield	45125		155	0 (1)	316 (122)	1 (0)	0.29%	38°8′59″N96°30′56″W / 38.14972°N 96.51556°W / 38.14972; -96.51556
Strong	68600	Strong City	740	4 (11)	172 (67)	0 (0)	0.24%	38°24′20″N96°32′18″W / 38.40556°N 96.53833°W / 38.40556; -96.53833
Toledo	70775		302	1 (3)	233 (90)	1 (0)	0.44%	38°24′49″N96°23′50″W / 38.41361°N 96.39722°W / 38.41361; -96.39722
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

In popular culture

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

NRHP sites

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

Cartter Building, Cottonwood Falls Cedar Point Mill, Cedar Point Chase County Courthouse, Cottonwood Falls Chase County National Bank, Cottonwood Falls Clements Stone Arch Bridge, Clements

Clover Cliff Ranch House, Elmdale Cottonwood River Bridge, Cottonwood Falls Cottonwood River Pratt Truss Bridge, Cedar Point Crocker Ranch, Matfield Green Fox Creek Stone Arch Bridge, Strong City

See also

• Kansas portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Chase County, Kansas
• Cottonwood River and Great Flood of 1951

Community information for Kansas

• Kansas locations by per capita income
• List of counties in Kansas
• List of townships in Kansas
• List of cities in Kansas
• List of unincorporated communities in Kansas
• List of ghost towns in Kansas

References

1. "QuickFacts; Chase County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
2. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. "1806 Pike Expedition map through Marion County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
5. "Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad: Railroads in Kansas". kansasheritage.org.
6. "Marion County, Kansas". kshs.org.
7. A Landmark of Distinction - The Chase County Courthouse; Historical Marker; Blue Skyways (archived).
8. Chase County & The Bluestem Pasture Region of Kansas; Historical Marker; Blue Skyways (archived).
9. "The Bluestem Pasture Region of Kansas". June 24, 2007. Archived from the original on June 24, 2007.
10. W. B. Strong Memorial Railroad Park; Historical Marker; Blue Skyways (archived).
11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
12. Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Chase"  . The American Cyclopædia .
13. National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
14. "U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files". Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
15. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
16. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
17. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
18. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
19. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
20. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
21. "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
22. "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Chase County, KS" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved November 2, 2024. - Text list
23. "General Highway Map of Chase County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). December 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 22, 2024.

Further reading

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

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

External links

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

Maps

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