Hillsboro, Kansas

Hillsboro, Kansas
City
Natural Science Center on Tabor College campus (2007)
Location within Marion County and Kansas
KDOT map of Marion County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°21′10″N97°11′57″W / 38.35278°N 97.19917°W / 38.35278; -97.19917 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Marion
Township	Liberty, Risley
Platted	1879
Incorporated	1884
Named for	John Hill
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
•  Mayor	Lou Thurston [2] [3]
•  City Administrator	Matthew Stiles [4] [3]
Area [5]
• Total	2.45 sq mi (6.36 km2)
• Land	2.44 sq mi (6.32 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation [1]	1,434 ft (437 m)
Population  (2020) [6]
• Total	2,732
• Density	1,100/sq mi (430/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	67063
Area code	620
FIPS code	20-32275
GNIS ID	485592 [1]
Website	cityofhillsboro.net

Hillsboro is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,732. ^[6] The city was named after John Hill, who homesteaded in the area in 1871. ^[7] Hillsboro is home of Tabor College.

History

1915 Railroad Map of Marion County

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.

19th century

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. 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 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Marion County was established within the Kansas Territory, which included the land for modern day Hillsboro. ^[8]

Hillsboro was named after John Gillespie Hill, who homesteaded in the area in 1871. Originally Hill City was the city name; since another city in Kansas already bore that name, it was changed to Hillsboro on June 20, 1879. ^[7] A post office was established in Risley on April 10, 1873, then moved to Hillsboro on August 29, 1879. ^[9]

As early as 1875, city leaders of Marion held a meeting to consider a branch railroad from Florence. In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion County and McPherson County chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company. ^[10] 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. ^[11] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion, was abandoned in 1968. ^[12] 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 Hillsboro 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.

20th century

In 1908, Tabor College was founded by members of the Mennonite Brethren and Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Christian churches. ^[13]

The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912, and was routed through Lehigh, Hillsboro, Marion, Lost Springs.

Geography

Hillsboro is located in the Flint Hills and Great Plains of the state of Kansas. ^[1] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.57 square miles (6.66 km²), of which, 2.56 square miles (6.63 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water. ^[14]

Climate

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

Area events

• Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair ^[16]
• Hillsboro Farmer's Market ^[17]
• Marion County Fair ^[18]
• Annual Easter egg hunt ^[19]

Area attractions

1876 P.P. Loewen House Museum (Pioneer Adobe House) (2022)

Hillsboro has two buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

• W.F. Schaeffler House Museum ^{[20] [21]} (NRHP), 312 East Grand Ave. ^[20]
• Mennonite Settlement Museums, ^[22] 501 South Ash Street. Main museum on Memorial Drive (1 block west). ^[23]
  • 1876 P.P. Loewen House ^{[24] [25]} (NRHP). Previously known as the Pioneer Adobe House. A traditional Russian clay brick house from the Mennonite settlement village of Hoffnungsthal. The last remaining house of its kind in North America.
  • Jacob Friesen Flouring Wind Mill is a detailed replica of the 1876 mill that stood in the Mennonite settlement village of Gnadenau. ^{[26] [27]}
  • 1886 Kreutziger School No. 97 was in service from 1886 to 1960 approximately 5 miles north of Canada, Kansas. ^{[28] [29]}
• Marion Reservoir, north-east of Hillsboro, exits closest to farther from Hillsboro along US-56: French Creek cove (Limestone Road), Hillsboro cove (Nighthawk Road), Overlook and Dam (Old Mill Road), Marion cove and Cottonwood Point cove (Pawnee Road).

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	133		—
1890	555		317.3%
1900	754		35.9%
1910	1,134		50.4%
1920	1,451		28.0%
1930	1,458		0.5%
1940	1,580		8.4%
1950	2,150		36.1%
1960	2,441		13.5%
1970	2,730		11.8%
1980	2,717		−0.5%
1990	2,704		−0.5%
2000	2,854		5.5%
2010	2,993		4.9%
2020	2,732		−8.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 2,732 people, 1,003 households, and 625 families in Hillsboro. ^{[30] [31]} The population density was 1,119.7 per square mile (432.3/km²). There were 1,188 housing units at an average density of 486.9 per square mile (188.0/km²). ^{[31] [32]} The racial makeup was 87.45% (2,389) white or European American (85.69% non-Hispanic white), 3.22% (88) black or African-American, 0.59% (16) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.77% (21) Asian, 0.04% (1) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 3.77% (103) from other races, and 4.17% (114) from two or more races. ^[33] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 5.6% (153) of the population. ^[34]

Of the 1,003 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18; 51.1% were married couples living together; 25.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 33.3% of households consisted of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[31] The average household size was 2.0 and the average family size was 2.6. ^[35] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 20.1% of the population. ^[36]

20.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 19.5% from 18 to 24, 18.2% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.9 males. ^[31] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 101.6 males. ^[31]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $46,579 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,015) and the median family income was $68,056 (+/- $9,675). ^[37] Males had a median income of $26,250 (+/- $4,647) versus $9,561 (+/- $2,623) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $20,769 (+/- $4,929). ^[38] Approximately, 4.5% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.4% of those ages 65 or over. ^{[39] [40]}

2010 census

As of the census ^[41] of 2010, there were 2,993 people, 1,071 households, and 684 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,169.1 inhabitants per square mile (451.4/km²). There were 1,193 housing units at an average density of 466.0 per square mile (179.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.6% White, 1.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 1,071 households, of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 36.2 years. 19.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 20.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.7% were from 25 to 44; 21.5% were from 45 to 64; and 20.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[42] of 2000, there were 2,854 people, 1,086 households, and 710 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,435.8 inhabitants per square mile (554.4/km²). There were 1,209 housing units at an average density of 608.2 per square mile (234.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.48% White, 0.35% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.56% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.

There were 1,086 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.4% under the age of 18, 17.3% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $32,736, and the median income for a family was $42,465. Males had a median income of $31,188 versus $20,134 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,544. About 5.5% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The largest employers in Hillsboro are education related, Tabor College and Unified School District 410, which have been in the community for over 100 years. Manufacturer Hillsboro Industries started business in 1968. ^[43] In September 2014, Wal-Mart announced plans to build a Walmart Neighborhood Market store in Hillsboro and will open in spring 2015. ^{[44] [45] [46]} There is also employment found in the agricultural sector, with Circle D Manufacturing, Hillsboro Industries, Ag Service, Cooperative Grain and Supply, and Country Side Feed.

Government

The Hillsboro government consists of a mayor and four council members. The council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 4PM. ^{[3] [2]}

• City Hall, 118 E Grand Ave.

Education

Wohlgemuth Music Education Center on Tabor College campus (2007)

College

Tabor College, a private college affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church, is located in Hillsboro at 400 South Jefferson Street. In 2009, Tabor College built a new football complex that is shared with Hillsboro High School. ^[47]

Primary and secondary education

The community is served by Hillsboro USD 410 public school district. The high school is a member of T.E.E.N., a shared video teaching network between five area high schools. ^[48]

• Hillsboro High School
• Hillsboro Middle School
• Hillsboro Elementary School

Sports

The Hillsboro High School mascot is a Trojan. All high school athletic and non-athletic competition is overseen by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. For 2010/2011 seasons, the football team competes as Class 3A. ^[49]

Past Championships:

• The Hillsboro High School girls basketball team won the 3A Kansas State Basketball tournament in 2007 for the first time since 1996. ^[50]

Private Schools

• Hope Valley Christian School, Private Grade School, 1808 Holly Rd, approximately 0.5 mile southwest of Hillsboro.

Library

Each USD 410 school has a library for student access.

Students of Tabor College have access to the Tabor College Library at 400 South Jefferson Street. ^[51]

The city is served by the Hillsboro Public Library at 120 East Grand Avenue. ^[52] The library is a member of the North Central Kansas Libraries System.

Media

See also: List of newspapers in Kansas, List of radio stations in Kansas, and List of television stations in Kansas

Print

The community is served by two weekly newspapers, the Hillsboro Free Press . ^[53] and the Hillsboro Star-Journal . ^[54] The Star-Journal is Hillsboro's oldest publication and the city's official newspaper, with the city's largest paid circulation. The Free Press is distributed free by carrier to residences in the city, and covers news for the greater Marion County area.

The Wichita Eagle in Wichita delivers to Marion County on Sundays and Thanksgiving. The Salina Journal from Salina offers daily delivery yeararound.

Radio

Hillsboro is served by numerous radio stations of the Wichita-Hutchinson listening market area, ^[55] and satellite radio. See Media in Wichita, Kansas .

Television

Hillsboro is served by over-the-air ATSC digital TV of the Wichita-Hutchinson viewing market area, ^[56] cable TV, and satellite TV. See Media in Wichita, Kansas .

Infrastructure

1927 Hillsboro Water Tower

Transportation

US-56 highway runs east–west along the north side of the city, and K-15 highway is 0.5 miles (0.80 km) northwest of the city.

Alfred Schroeder Field airport, FAA:M66, ^[57] is located immediately adjacent to the west of the fair grounds. ^[58]

Utilities

• Internet
  • Fiber is provided by TCW.
  • DSL is provided by CenturyLink.
  • Cable is provided by Eagle Communications.
  • Wireless is provided by Pixius Communications, Rise Broadband.
  • Satellite is provided by HughesNet, StarBand, WildBlue.
• TV
  • Cable is provided by Eagle Communications.
  • Satellite is provided by DirecTV, Dish Network.
  • Terrestrial is provided by regional digital TV stations.
• Electricity
  • City is provided by Kansas Power Pool, billed by City of Hillsboro.
  • Rural is provided by Flint Hills RECA.
• Gas is provided by Atmos Energy.
• Water
  • City is provided by City of Hillsboro.
  • Rural is provided by Marion County RWD #4 (map Archived April 7, 2020, at the Wayback Machine ).
• Sewer
  • Service is provided by City of Hillsboro.
• Trash
  • Service is provided by City of Hillsboro.

Notable people

See also: List of Tabor College people

• Donald Dahl (1945-2014), Kansas House of Representatives from 1997 to 2008, ^[59] U.S. Navy
• J. V. Friesen, Kansas House of Representatives in 1941, ^[59] furniture dealer
• William Kopper, Kansas House of Representatives in 1935, ^[59] merchant
• Theodore Schellenberg (1903-1970), archivist and archival theorist.

See also

• Hillsboro High School
• Tabor College and Tabor Bluejays
• Joel Wiens Stadium
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, Kansas
• Historical Maps of Marion County, Kansas
• Miss Kansas, 1969
• National Old Trails Road
• Threshing Stone
• Gnadenau, Kansas

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hillsboro, Kansas
2. "City of Hillsboro - City Council Members". Archived from the original on May 4, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
3. Hillsboro - Directory of Public Officials
4. City of Hillsboro - Administration
5. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
6. "Profile of Hillsboro, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
7. Hillsboro Kansas, The City on the Prairie; Wiebe, Raymond F; 1985.
8. "The History of Marion County and Courthouse". Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
9. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
10. Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
11. Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the Year Ending December 1, 1886 in State of Kansas; Kansas Publishing House; 1886.
12. Railway Abandonment 1968
13. "History". Tabor College. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
14. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
15. Climate Summary for Hillsboro, Kansas
16. "Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair". Archived from the original on September 9, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
17. "Hillsboro Farmer's Market". Archived from the original on September 3, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
18. Marion County Fair
19. "Hillsboro Free Press - Easter bunny participates in egg hunt". hillsborofreepress.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013.
20. "W.F. Schaeffler House Museum". Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
21. National Register of Historic Places - W.F. Schaeffler House
22. "Mennonite Settlement Museums". Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2006.
23. "Mennonite Settlement Museum". Archived from the original on August 27, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
24. "1876 P.P. Loewen House". Archived from the original on March 29, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
25. National Register of Historic Places - P.P. Loewen House
26. "Jacob Friesen Flouring Wind Mill". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
27. Repairs begin on Friesen Mill in Hillsboro; Hillsboro Free Press; June 3, 2014.
28. "1886 Kreutziger School". Archived from the original on November 16, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
29. Marion County Schools; Genealogy Trails.
30. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
31. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
32. Bureau, US Census. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
33. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
34. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
35. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
36. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
37. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
38. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
39. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
40. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
41. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
42. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
43. "Hillsboro Industries - History". Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
44. Wal-Mart announces plans to build store in Hillsboro; Hillsboro Free Press; September 11, 2014.
45. Hillsboro grocers worry about Wal-Mart’s plan for Neighborhood Market there; The Wichita Eagle; September 11, 2014.
46. Wal-Mart makes it official; Hillsboro Free Press; September 17, 2014.
47. "Tabor College and USD 410 Break Ground for New Athletics Facility; tabor.edu; November 17, 2008". Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
48. T.E.E.N. video teaching network
49. KSHSAA Football Class Size Assignments
50. "KSHSAA State Tournament All-Time Bests: Girls Teams" (PDF). Kansas State High School Activities Association. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
51. "LibGuides: Tabor College Library".
52. "North Central Kansas Libraries System" . Retrieved April 5, 2023.
53. Hillsboro Free Press
54. Hillsboro Star-Journal
55. "Wichita-Hutchinson Radio market". Archived from the original on October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
56. Wichita-Hutchinson TV market.
57. Alfred Schroeder Field map
58. Alfred Schroeder Field information
59. Kansas Legislators Past & Present Archived 2010-08-01 at the Wayback Machine

Further reading

See also: List of books about Marion County, Kansas

• Hillsboro, City on the Prairie; Raymond F Wiebe, Multi Business Press; 1985.
• The Centennial Celebration of Hillsboro - May 18–27, 1984; Hillsboro Centennial Committee; Baker Brothers Printing; May 1984.
• Hillsboro Diamond Jubilee. Glimpses of Our Heritage, June 8–10, 1959; 1959.
• A Guide to Hillsboro, Kansas; Mennonite Brethren Publishing House; 1940.
• Sixtieth Anniversary of the Johannestal Mennonite Church, 1882-1942, Johannestal Mennonite Church; 1942.
• The Story of Gnadenau and Its First Elder, Marion County Kansas, David V Wiebe; Mennonite Brethren Publishing House; 1967.

External links

City

• Hillsboro - Official
• Hillsboro - Directory of Public Officials, League of Kansas Municipalities

Historical

• Historic Images of Hillsboro, Special Photo Collections at Wichita State University Library.
• Marion County cemetery list, archive of KsGenWeb
• Marion County history bibliography, Marion County school bibliography, Kansas Historical Society

Maps

• Hillsboro city map, KDOT
• Topo Map of Hillsboro area, USGS