Republic County
County
Republic County Courthouse in Belleville (2010)
Republic County Courthouse in Belleville (2010)
Map of Kansas highlighting Republic County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°48′N 97°38′W / 39.800°N 97.633°W / 39.800; -97.633
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 27, 1860
Named forRepublican River
SeatBelleville
Largest cityBelleville
Area
 • Total720.31 sq mi (1,865.6 km2)
 • Land716.38 sq mi (1,855.4 km2)
 • Water3.93 sq mi (10.2 km2)  0.55%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total4,674
 • Density6.5/sq mi (2.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code785
Congressional district1st
Websiterepubliccounty.org
June 24, 1947 flood of the Republican River on the border of Jewell County, Kansas and Republic County, Kansas near Hardy, Nebraska and Webber, Kansas, just south of Nebraska NE-8 on Kansas 1 Rd/CR-1 bridge over the Republican River. The normal flood stage for the river is at the tree line in the foreground.

Republic County is a county located in the state of Kansas, south from the Nebraska state line. Its county seat and largest city is Belleville.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 4,674.[1] The county was named after the Republican River.

History

Early history

For millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th to 18th centuries, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France ceded New France to Spain, by the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, the land that included modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase.

Prior to the arrival of settlers of European ancestry, the area was inhabited by Indian tribes including the Pawnee, Iowa, and Otoe.[3] One should also consider that other nomadic Indian tribes pursuing the buffalo, including the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kansa, Kiowa, Osage, and Wichita, may have made the area their home at one time or another.[4]

In 1854, under the provisions of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, the Kansas Territory was organized. In 1860, Republic County was established by the Kansas legislature. And, in 1861, Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. The county is named for the Republican River, which enters at the northwestern corner of the county, flowing slightly east of south, and leaving the county about eight miles east of the southwest corner.[3]

Daniel and Conrad Myers were the first settlers of European ancestry, arriving in February 1861.[5] By 1868, Republic County was holding elections.[6] Daniel Myers was elected judge of the Probate court and Conrad Myers to a seat on the County commission. At the election in 1869, the permanent location of the county seat was voted on with the following result: Belleville 59 and New Scandinavia 42, with a couple of votes going to other locations.[7]

Following the Civil War and during the latter half of the 19th century, Belleville and the surrounding area became a destination for European immigrants, notably from Sweden and Bohemia (now Czech Republic).[8][9][10]

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 point, 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 was renamed the BNSF Railway, although most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 720.31 square miles (1,865.6 km2), of which 716.38 square miles (1,855.4 km2) (or 99.45%) is land and 3.93 square miles (10.2 km2) (or 0.55%) is water.[11][12]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18701,281—
188014,9131,064.2%
189019,00227.4%
190018,248−4.0%
191017,447−4.4%
192015,855−9.1%
193014,745−7.0%
194013,124−11.0%
195011,478−12.5%
19609,768−14.9%
19708,498−13.0%
19807,569−10.9%
19906,482−14.4%
20005,835−10.0%
20104,980−14.7%
20204,674−6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 5,835 people, 2,557 households, and 1,685 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). There were 3,113 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.56% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.1% were of German, 13.6% Swedish, 12.4% Czech, 9.2% English, 9.0% Irish and 8.6% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 2,557 households, out of which 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 4.80% had a woman householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 31.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.00% 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 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.30% under the age of 18, 4.50% from 18 to 24, 22.10% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 26.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 women there were 93.20 men. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 90.80 men.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,494, and the median income for a family was $39,215. Men had a median income of $25,260 versus $17,274 for women. The per capita income for the county was $17,433. About 6.00% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Republic County, Kansas[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 2,182 82.12% 424 15.96% 51 1.92%
2016 2,024 80.03% 375 14.83% 130 5.14%
2012 2,134 79.45% 477 17.76% 75 2.79%
2008 1,978 74.05% 640 23.96% 53 1.98%
2004 2,238 77.47% 607 21.01% 44 1.52%
2000 2,239 75.01% 604 20.23% 142 4.76%
1996 2,283 69.97% 688 21.08% 292 8.95%
1992 1,767 46.43% 939 24.67% 1,100 28.90%
1988 2,346 67.76% 1,069 30.88% 47 1.36%
1984 3,009 76.49% 887 22.55% 38 0.97%
1980 3,031 73.57% 850 20.63% 239 5.80%
1976 2,294 57.44% 1,617 40.49% 83 2.08%
1972 2,921 71.80% 1,059 26.03% 88 2.16%
1968 2,841 66.25% 1,187 27.68% 260 6.06%
1964 2,414 51.65% 2,222 47.54% 38 0.81%
1960 3,358 65.62% 1,724 33.69% 35 0.68%
1956 3,621 68.76% 1,613 30.63% 32 0.61%
1952 4,573 76.72% 1,358 22.78% 30 0.50%
1948 3,375 60.42% 2,109 37.76% 102 1.83%
1944 3,802 66.53% 1,891 33.09% 22 0.38%
1940 4,450 63.54% 2,511 35.86% 42 0.60%
1936 3,830 52.61% 3,427 47.07% 23 0.32%
1932 2,655 38.55% 4,105 59.61% 127 1.84%
1928 4,324 68.19% 1,956 30.85% 61 0.96%
1924 3,671 59.96% 1,616 26.40% 835 13.64%
1920 3,661 67.30% 1,672 30.74% 107 1.97%
1916 2,882 41.65% 3,806 55.00% 232 3.35%
1912 895 21.74% 1,816 44.12% 1,405 34.14%
1908 2,156 51.79% 1,905 45.76% 102 2.45%
1904 2,658 69.51% 941 24.61% 225 5.88%
1900 2,499 55.67% 1,925 42.88% 65 1.45%
1896 2,033 50.93% 1,910 47.85% 49 1.23%
1892 2,167 50.03% 0 0.00% 2,164 49.97%
1888 2,595 63.77% 1,205 29.61% 269 6.61%

Republic County is overwhelmingly Republican. No Democratic presidential candidate has won the county, with the exception of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and Woodrow Wilson in 1912 and 1916. Since 1996, the Republican candidate has garnered seventy percent of the county's vote. The only Democrat since 1980 to exceed one quarter of the vote was Michael Dukakis in 1988.

Laws

Republic County was a prohibition ("dry") county until 1986, when the Kansas Constitution was amended, allowing the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[19]

Education

Unified school districts

Communities

2005 KDOT map of Republic County (map legend)

† means a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

1915 railroad map of Republic County

Republic County is divided into twenty townships. The city of Belleville is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. 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.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.
TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Albion009001742 (5)92 (36)0 (0)0.12%39°57′35″N 97°25′29″W / 39.95972°N 97.42472°W / 39.95972; -97.42472
Beaver051501372 (4)91 (35)3 (1)3.04%39°42′17″N 97°51′59″W / 39.70472°N 97.86639°W / 39.70472; -97.86639
Belleville056252313 (7)89 (34)0 (0)0.11%39°47′14″N 97°38′35″W / 39.78722°N 97.64306°W / 39.78722; -97.64306
Big Bend065502423 (7)92 (35)1 (0)1.39%39°57′0″N 97°50′53″W / 39.95000°N 97.84806°W / 39.95000; -97.84806
Courtland160504505 (12)94 (36)0 (0)0.06%39°46′56″N 97°52′51″W / 39.78222°N 97.88083°W / 39.78222; -97.88083
Elk Creek202751752 (5)94 (36)0 (0)0.15%39°42′16″N 97°25′41″W / 39.70444°N 97.42806°W / 39.70444; -97.42806
Fairview225751552 (4)94 (36)0 (0)0.49%39°52′50″N 97°31′54″W / 39.88056°N 97.53167°W / 39.88056; -97.53167
Farmington23200811 (2)93 (36)0 (0)0.20%39°52′20″N 97°25′24″W / 39.87222°N 97.42333°W / 39.87222; -97.42333
Freedom246751862 (5)90 (35)0 (0)0.28%39°51′31″N 97°38′26″W / 39.85861°N 97.64056°W / 39.85861; -97.64056
Grant28050771 (2)95 (37)0 (0)0.15%39°42′5″N 97°32′31″W / 39.70139°N 97.54194°W / 39.70139; -97.54194
Jefferson353251071 (3)95 (37)0 (0)0.05%39°47′29″N 97°32′33″W / 39.79139°N 97.54250°W / 39.79139; -97.54250
Liberty40325521 (1)93 (36)0 (0)0.19%39°57′2″N 97°38′30″W / 39.95056°N 97.64167°W / 39.95056; -97.64167
Lincoln410751031 (3)92 (36)0 (0)0.09%39°41′58″N 97°38′57″W / 39.69944°N 97.64917°W / 39.69944; -97.64917
Norway515751632 (5)92 (36)1 (0)1.19%39°42′17″N 97°46′9″W / 39.70472°N 97.76917°W / 39.70472; -97.76917
Richland595753183 (9)92 (36)0 (0)0.11%39°47′30″N 97°26′4″W / 39.79167°N 97.43444°W / 39.79167; -97.43444
Rose Creek612001702 (5)94 (36)0 (0)0.44%39°57′27″N 97°32′13″W / 39.95750°N 97.53694°W / 39.95750; -97.53694
Scandia633755416 (15)92 (36)1 (0)1.23%39°47′28″N 97°46′27″W / 39.79111°N 97.77417°W / 39.79111; -97.77417
Union72300511 (1)93 (36)0 (0)0.18%39°52′0″N 97°46′5″W / 39.86667°N 97.76806°W / 39.86667; -97.76806
Washington75700951 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0.24%39°57′57″N 97°45′14″W / 39.96583°N 97.75389°W / 39.96583; -97.75389
White Rock77975881 (2)92 (36)1 (0)1.09%39°52′34″N 97°51′54″W / 39.87611°N 97.86500°W / 39.87611; -97.86500

Notable people

Arts and entertainment

Athletes

Clergy

Journalists

Medicine

Philanthropy

Politicians

Settlers

See also

Community information for Kansas

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Republic County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Savage., I. O. (1901). Carolyn Ward (ed.). A history of Republic County, Kansas: embracing a full and complete account of all the leading events in its history, from its first settlement down to June 1, '01. Beloit, Kansas: Jones & Chubbic. p. 32.
  4. ↑ "American Indians in Kansas - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society".
  5. ↑ Savage., I. O. (1901). Carolyn Ward (ed.). A history of Republic County, Kansas: embracing a full and complete account of all the leading events in its history, from its first settlement down to June 1, '01. Beloit, Kansas: Jones & Chubbic. p. 35.
  6. ↑ Savage., I. O. (1901). Carolyn Ward (ed.). A history of Republic County, Kansas: embracing a full and complete account of all the leading events in its history, from its first settlement down to June 1, '01. Beloit, Kansas: Jones & Chubbic. p. 115.
  7. ↑ Savage., I. O. (1901). Carolyn Ward (ed.). A history of Republic County, Kansas: embracing a full and complete account of all the leading events in its history, from its first settlement down to June 1, '01. Beloit, Kansas: Jones & Chubbic. p. 63.
  8. ↑ I. O. Savage, History of Republic County (1883), p. 68; New Scandinavia's Ninety-Three Years, 1868–1961 (Scandia, 1961), pp. 3-5.
  9. ↑ Nemcova, Bozena. "People of Czech Bohemian Descent in Republic County, Kansas." Master's thesis, University of Kansas, 1950. (Reel: LM 205).
  10. ↑ https://www.kshs.org/p/bohemians-czechs-and-moravians-to-kansas-a-bibliography/13535 |Kansas Historical Society, Bohemians, Czechs, Moravians Bibliography
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  12. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  16. ↑ "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 28, 2014.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  19. ↑ "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 28, 2007.
  20. ↑ Greta Granstedt Biography at IMDb
  21. ↑ Harry A. Pollard at IMDb
  22. ↑ "Herb Bradley". Retrosheet.com. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Tom Bushby". Pro Football Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Larry Cheney Stats". Baseball Almanac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  25. ↑ "KATS Hall of Fame". Kansas Athletic Trainers Society. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Tony Zuzzio". DatabaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  27. ↑ "In memoriam: Allen Wikgren". The University of Chicago Chronicle. June 11, 1998. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  28. ↑ Cutler, William (1883). "4". History of the State of Kansas. Chicago, Illinois: A. T. Andreas. Archived from the original on October 19, 2003. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Miller, A.Q." Kansas Press Association. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  30. ↑ Cutler, William (1883). "3". History of the State of Kansas. Chicago, Illinois: A. T. Andreas. Archived from the original on May 10, 2003.
  31. ↑ Savage, I. O. (1901). Carolyn Ward (ed.). A history of Republic County, Kansas: embracing a full and complete account of all the leading events in its history, from its first settlement down to June 1, '01. Beloit, Kansas: Published by Jones & Chubbic. pp. 11, 20. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  32. ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Aurand Biography
  33. ↑ "JOHNSON, Edwin Carl, (1884 - 1970)". United States Congress. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  34. ↑ Former justice dies at age 85. Statesman Journal, November 1, 1985.
  35. ↑ "Kansas Legislators Past and Present > Saar to Scott". Kansas State Library. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  36. ↑ Cutler, William (1883). "REPUBLIC COUNTY, Part 6: Scandia". History of the State of Kansas. Chicago, Illinois: A. T. Andreas. Archived from the original on September 4, 2003. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  37. ↑ Blackmar, Frank (1912). Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. Chicago, Illinois: Standard Publishing Company. p. 907.
  38. ↑ "Lovewell Family Meets at Lovewell Lake". The Superior Express. June 7, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2012.

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