Rock, Kansas
Unincorporated community
KDOT map of Cowley County (legend)
KDOT map of Cowley County (legend)
Rock is located in Kansas
Rock
Rock
Rock is located in the United States
Rock
Rock
Coordinates: 37°26′25″N 97°0′23″W / 37.44028°N 97.00639°W / 37.44028; -97.00639[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyCowley
Elevation
[1]
1,175 ft (358 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total94
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67131
Area code620
FIPS code20-60400
GNIS ID470206 [1]

Rock is an unincorporated community in Cowley County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the community and nearby areas was 94.[2]

History

19th century

The post office was established August 12, 1870.[3]

In 1877, the Florence, El Dorado, and Walnut Valley Railroad Company built a branch line from Florence to El Dorado, in 1881 it was extended to Douglass, and later to Arkansas City.[4][5] The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to El Dorado was abandoned in 1942.[6][7] The original branch line connected Florence, Burns, De Graff, El Dorado, Augusta, Douglass, Rock, Akron, Winfield, Arkansas City.

20th century

In 1905, the nearby Bucher Bridge, on the National Register of Historic Places, was built.

On August 24, 1978, the community was evacuated when a major oxidizer spill at a Titan II ICBM site (533-7) 2.5 miles south of Rock.[8] The spill resulted in the deaths of 2 airmen that were based out of the 381st Strategic Missile Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, approximately 20 miles away.

21st century

In 2010, the Keystone XL Pipeline was constructed about 2.5 miles west of Rock, north to south through Butler County, with much controversy over tax exemption and environmental concerns (if a leak ever occurs).[9][10] A pumping station named Rock was built along the pipeline.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
202094—
U.S. Decennial Census

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Rock as a census-designated place (CDP).

Map of former Titan II Missile sites around Wichita, active from early-1960s to mid-1980s. Site 533-7 was located 2.5 miles south of Rock.

Education

The community is served by Udall USD 463 public school district.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rock, Kansas
  2. 1 2 "Profile of Rock, Kansas (CDP) in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961, page 2". Kansas Historical Society. p. 2. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
  5. ↑ Goodman, Jon (March 26, 2017). "History of Rock Kansas". Arkansas City, Kansas: The KSGenWeb Project. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Florence to El Dorado, KS - Abandoned Rails". Harrison, Greg. June 3, 1942. 254 ICC 803. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2022. Application for authority to abandon 27.54 miles of railroad between Florence in Marion County and Eldorado in Butler County, Kansas, approximately 27.54 miles.
  7. ↑ Railway Abandonment 1942
  8. ↑ "Titan II Accident McConnell AFB, Kansas 1978".
  9. ↑ Keystone Pipeline - Marion County Commission calls out Legislative Leadership on Pipeline Deal; April 18, 2010. Archived October 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ Keystone Pipeline - TransCanada inspecting pipeline; December 10, 2010.

Further reading

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