Holton, Kansas

Holton, Kansas
City and County seat
Downtown Holton (2007)
Location within Jackson County and Kansas
KDOT map of Jackson County (legend)
Coordinates: 39°28′11″N95°44′11″W / 39.46972°N 95.73639°W / 39.46972; -95.73639 [1]
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Jackson
Founded	1856
Platted	1857
Incorporated	1859
Named for	Edward Holton
Area [2]
• Total	2.76 sq mi (7.15 km2)
• Land	2.68 sq mi (6.93 km2)
• Water	0.08 sq mi (0.22 km2)
Elevation [1]	1,056 ft (322 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	3,401
• Density	1,200/sq mi (480/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	66436
Area code	785
FIPS code	20-32825
GNIS ID	485594 [1]
Website	holtonkansas.org

Holton is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Kansas, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,401. ^[3]

History

See also: History of Kansas

The party that chose the site of Holton started at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in May 1856. A train of six covered wagons, each drawn by two yoke of oxen, started the long trek to take Free State settlers to Kansas. They were financed by the Kansas Society of Milwaukee which was headed by Edward Dwight Holton, the Milwaukee abolitionist. They met General James H. Lane with two hundred men at Nebraska City, Nebraska, a rendezvous for Free State men. They followed the Jim Lane Road into Kansas approximately thirty miles. They came to Elk Creek, 2+1⁄2 miles west of Holton, where they cut timbers to make a bridge, crossed it and made camp where Central School now stands. They liked the two streams (later named Banner Creek and Elk Creek) and the pleasant grassy hills, so they decided to stay. A company was organized and a civil engineer who was with them commenced the survey. They named the new town in honor of Holton. ^[4]

A log house 20 by 20 feet (6.1 m × 6.1 m) was erected; it was so planned that is could be used for a fort and was known as Jim Lane's Fort. ^[5] In the spring of 1857, J. B. Ingerson surveyed the townsite lots. ^[6]

The county that contains Holton was previously named Calhoun County for the pro-slavery South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun. In 1859 the name was changed to Jackson County. Holton was chosen as the county seat in 1858. A frame building served as the first courthouse on the east side of the square, near the middle of the block. The first courthouse was built in the center of the square in 1872. The present courthouse was completed in 1921. ^[6]

In 1859, the abolitionist John Brown took a group of escaped slaves through Holton, leading to an incident known as the Battle of the Spurs. ^[7]

In 1859, Holton had seven dwellings, one store, a blacksmith shop and a steam saw mill. The census taken in April, 1857, gave Holton 291 people; in 1860 the population was 1,936. In 1859 the city was incorporated. ^[6]

In 1879, the residents of Jackson County, Kansas decided to form a university in Holton. It was funded by mining magnate, A. C. Campbell, a former resident who had moved to Utah, and thus named Campbell University. In 1902 it merged with Lane University and became Campbell College. ^[8] In 1913, it merged with Kansas City University, then later closed in 1933. The former site of the college later became the location of Holton High School. ^[9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.78 square miles (7.20 km²), of which, 2.70 square miles (6.99 km²) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km²) is water. ^[10]

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, Holton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[11]

Climate data for Holton, Kansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1902–1904, 1913–1917, 1951–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	75 (24)	81 (27)	89 (32)	93 (34)	99 (37)	109 (43)	110 (43)	110 (43)	109 (43)	97 (36)	85 (29)	74 (23)	110 (43)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	62.3 (16.8)	67.7 (19.8)	77.8 (25.4)	85.2 (29.6)	89.7 (32.1)	93.3 (34.1)	98.5 (36.9)	98.2 (36.8)	93.3 (34.1)	86.3 (30.2)	73.4 (23.0)	64.0 (17.8)	100.4 (38.0)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	37.2 (2.9)	43.0 (6.1)	54.1 (12.3)	64.2 (17.9)	73.7 (23.2)	82.8 (28.2)	87.5 (30.8)	86.3 (30.2)	78.7 (25.9)	66.7 (19.3)	53.0 (11.7)	40.9 (4.9)	64.0 (17.8)
Daily mean °F (°C)	26.2 (−3.2)	31.2 (−0.4)	41.7 (5.4)	52.1 (11.2)	62.5 (16.9)	72.3 (22.4)	76.8 (24.9)	75.0 (23.9)	66.8 (19.3)	54.1 (12.3)	41.3 (5.2)	30.3 (−0.9)	52.5 (11.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	15.2 (−9.3)	19.5 (−6.9)	29.2 (−1.6)	40.0 (4.4)	51.3 (10.7)	61.8 (16.6)	66.1 (18.9)	63.7 (17.6)	54.8 (12.7)	41.4 (5.2)	29.7 (−1.3)	19.6 (−6.9)	41.0 (5.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−4.9 (−20.5)	1.3 (−17.1)	8.2 (−13.2)	23.7 (−4.6)	35.6 (2.0)	48.6 (9.2)	54.9 (12.7)	51.5 (10.8)	39.4 (4.1)	25.2 (−3.8)	13.4 (−10.3)	2.2 (−16.6)	−8.6 (−22.6)
Record low °F (°C)	−22 (−30)	−23 (−31)	−21 (−29)	5 (−15)	22 (−6)	40 (4)	43 (6)	40 (4)	29 (−2)	14 (−10)	−7 (−22)	−23 (−31)	−23 (−31)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.79 (20)	1.33 (34)	2.17 (55)	3.72 (94)	4.98 (126)	4.88 (124)	4.76 (121)	4.35 (110)	3.77 (96)	3.33 (85)	1.84 (47)	1.46 (37)	37.38 (949)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	4.4	4.9	7.0	9.5	11.4	9.8	9.5	8.6	8.3	7.3	6.2	4.4	91.3
Source: NOAA [12] [13]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	2,727		—
1900	3,082		13.0%
1910	2,842		−7.8%
1920	2,703		−4.9%
1930	2,705		0.1%
1940	2,885		6.7%
1950	2,705		−6.2%
1960	3,028		11.9%
1970	3,063		1.2%
1980	3,132		2.3%
1990	3,196		2.0%
2000	3,353		4.9%
2010	3,329		−0.7%
2020	3,401		2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

Holton is part of the Topeka, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 3,401 people, 1,410 households, and 784 families in Holton. ^{[14] [15]} The population density was 1,270.9 per square mile (490.7/km²). There were 1,599 housing units at an average density of 597.5 per square mile (230.7/km²). ^{[15] [16]} The racial makeup was 83.68% (2,846) white or European American (80.62% non-Hispanic white), 1.82% (62) black or African-American, 3.32% (113) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.59% (20) Asian, 0.12% (4) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.68% (91) from other races, and 7.79% (265) from two or more races. ^[17] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 8.91% (303) of the population. ^[18]

Of the 1,410 households, 29.8% had children under the age of 18; 38.6% were married couples living together; 35.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 38.9% of households consisted of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. ^[15] The average household size was 2.0 and the average family size was 2.7. ^[19] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 15.3% of the population. ^[20]

24.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.0 males. ^[15] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 114.7 males. ^[15]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $47,642 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,001) and the median family income was $60,909 (+/- $10,042). ^[21] Males had a median income of $36,654 (+/- $4,920) versus $16,098 (+/- $2,777) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $21,928 (+/- $4,959). ^[22] Approximately, 14.8% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under the age of 18 and 1.8% of those ages 65 or over. ^{[23] [24]}

2010 census

As of the census ^[25] of 2010, there were 3,329 people, 1,442 households, and 832 families living in the city. The population density was 1,233.0 inhabitants per square mile (476.1/km²). There were 1,652 housing units at an average density of 611.9 per square mile (236.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.7% White, 1.1% African American, 3.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.9% of the population.

There were 1,442 households, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.3% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 40.2 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 20.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, ^[26] there were 3,353 people, 1,396 households, and 862 families living in the city. The population density was 1,369.2 inhabitants per square mile (528.7/km²). There were 1,522 housing units at an average density of 621.5 per square mile (240.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.14% White, 1.13% African American, 2.89% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.54% from other races, and 2.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.18% of the population.

There were 1,396 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,866, and the median income for a family was $44,591. Males had a median income of $32,241 versus $24,006 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,459. About 8.1% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The community is served by Holton USD 336 public school district and Holton High School.

Notable people

• Case Broderick, politician
• Bill James, baseball writer and statistician
• Lynn Jenkins, U.S. Congresswoman and House Republican Conference Vice-Chair, graduate of Holton High School
• Kendall McComas, child actor, Our Gang
• Harold B. Minor, diplomat
• Danny J. Petersen, posthumous Medal of Honor recipient
• Frank C. Pomeroy, state legislator
• Pat Roberts, U.S. Senator and 1954 graduate of Holton High School
• Robin Utterback, artist
• Bernice T. Van der Vries, Illinois state legislator, was born in Holton. ^[27]

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Holton, Kansas
2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
3. "Profile of Holton, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
4. "Honorable E. D. Holton: He Visits our Young City Amid the Firing of Cannon, The Ringing of Bells, Playing of Bands, And Rejoicing Generally". Holton Recorder. Holton, Kansas. December 11, 1879. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
5. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp.  865.
6. "History of Holton". City of Holton, Kansas. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
7. The Battle of the Spurs and the Underground Railroad in Jackson County
8. Campbell College Early History Archived 2011-05-04 at the Wayback Machine
9. Federal Writers' Project (October 31, 2013). The WPA Guide to Kansas: The Sunflower State. Trinity University Press. pp. 369–. ISBN   978-1-59534-214-0.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
11. Climate Summary for Holton, Kansas
12. "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
13. "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
14. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
15. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
16. Bureau, US Census. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
17. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
18. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
19. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
20. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
21. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
22. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
23. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
24. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
25. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 6, 2012.
26. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
27. 'Illinois Blue Book 1955-1956,' Biographical Sketch of Bernice T. Van der Vries, pg. 214

Further reading

• Kansas portal

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

See also: List of books about Jackson County, Kansas

External links

• City of Holton
• Holton - Directory of Public Officials
• Holton city map, KDOT