Elk, Kansas
1893 map showing Elk on the border of Chase and Marion Counties
1893 map showing Elk on the border of Chase and Marion Counties
KDOT map of Chase County (legend)
KDOT map of Chase County (legend)
Elk is located in Kansas
Elk
Elk
Elk is located in the United States
Elk
Elk
Coordinates: 38°24′51″N 96°47′5″W / 38.41417°N 96.78472°W / 38.41417; -96.78472[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyChase, Marion
TownshipDiamond Creek, Grant
Founded1874
Population
  Total0
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
  Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code620
GNIS ID477253 [1]

Elk is a ghost town in Chase and Marion counties in the U.S. state of Kansas.[1] It is currently a ghost town that lays along Middle Creek northwest of Elmdale and straddled the county line between Chase and Marion County.[2][3]

History

Early history

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America, including this area. After its defeat in the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, by the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, much of modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase at a price of 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, and the following year Marion County was established, including portions of Elk. Six years later, Kansas was admitted as a state.[4]

20th century

The community of Elk was founded in 1874,[5] and it continued to exist into the 1920s.[6] The town had a post office from 1874 until December 1924, when it was replaced by rural free delivery.[7] A post office existed in Elk from August 24, 1874 to December 15, 1924.[8] The name of the community wasn't named for the elk in the vicinity, instead the postmaster chose a word with few letters to save time when postmarking letters, thus the short name of E L K was chosen, which became Elk.

21st century

No buildings now remain in Elk, and it is considered a Ghost Town.[9]

Geography

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, Elk has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Elk, Kansas", Geographic Names Information System, United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior
  2. Page 14 from Atlas of the World, 1914.
  3. Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
  4. "The History of Marion County and Courthouse". Archived from the original on 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  5. Shown on this 1893 map
  6. Shown on this 1921 map
  7. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Great Plains Studies, Great Plains Quarterly, vol. 7-8, p. 253
  8. "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  9. DeLorme. Kansas Atlas & Gazetteer. 4th ed. Yarmouth: DeLorme, 2009, 50. ISBN 0-89933-342-7.
  10. Climate Summary for Elk, Kansas

Further reading

  • Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; 344 pages; 1972; LCCN 72-92041.
Historical
Maps
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