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Barber County, Kansas

Coordinates: 37°14′N 98°41′W / 37.233°N 98.683°W / 37.233; -98.683
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Barber County
County
Medicine Lodge Stockade Museum (left) and Carry A. Nation house (right) in Medicine Lodge
Medicine Lodge Stockade Museum (left) and Carry A. Nation house (right) in Medicine Lodge
Map of Kansas highlighting Barber County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Map of the United States highlighting Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°14′N 98°41′W / 37.233°N 98.683°W / 37.233; -98.683
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedFebruary 26, 1867
Named forThomas W. Barber
SeatMedicine Lodge
Largest cityMedicine Lodge
Area
 • Total
1,136 sq mi (2,940 km2)
 • Land1,134 sq mi (2,940 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
4,228
 • Density3.7/sq mi (1.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code620
Congressional district4th
Websitebarber.ks.gov

Barber County is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Medicine Lodge.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 4,228.[1] The county was named for Thomas Barber, an abolitionist who was killed in Douglas County in 1855 during the Wakarusa War.[3]

History

[edit]
See also: History of Kansas

Barber County was formed in 1867 from parts of Washington County, Peketon County, and Marion County. Organized in 1873, it was named after Thomas Barber, a free-state man killed during Bleeding Kansas. The county's name was initially misspelled as “Barbour” before being officially changed to “Barber.”[4]

The land that would become Barber County was formerly part of the "thirty mile" and "three mile" strips, previously owned by the Osages and the Cherokees respectively. These lands were ceded to the United States Government by the treaty of July 15, 1870, and were then offered for pre-emption, but not for homesteading or timber claim entry. Early settlers noted the numerous buffalo wallows in the county.[5]

The first settler in the county, a man named Griffin, settled in the winter of 1871-72 near Sun City. Indians opposed to white settlement soon brought conflict, including an 1872 raid resulting in the death of trader E. H. Mosely. Defensive stockades were subsequently erected in Medicine Lodge and Sun City.[5]

Settlements such as Kiowa and Medicine Lodge were established, with rapid settlement occurring in the summer of 1873. Notable events included the county's first child born in 1873 and its first wedding in 1874.[5]

In the summer of 1874, an Indian raid resulted in the murder of several settlers along the Medicine Lodge River. Various accounts attribute the raid to Indian opposition to white settlement or the actions of disguised white assailants aiming to cover up their illegal activities in the county.[5] To protect citizens, stockades were built, and militia groups were organized in Medicine Lodge and Sun City.[5]

Buffalo once roamed abundantly in the county, but by the 1880s, their numbers had significantly diminished. Their former habitat, however, made excellent range for cattle, and in 1870, Barber and Comanche county ranchers formed a cooperative known as the Comanche cattle pool. The discovery of gypsum deposits along the Medicine Lodge River led to the establishment of a plaster company in Sun City in 1891.[4]

The Medicine Lodge Bank was robbed in 1884 by a gang led by Henry Newton Brown, the marshal of Caldwell in nearby Sumner County. The bandits were pursued, captured, and thrown in jail. That night, a mob overpowered the Medicine Lodge sheriff, shot and killed Brown, and hanged the other men from a tree.[5]

Temperance advocate Carrie Nation smashed her first saloon in Kiowa, Kansas in 1900. Today, her former residence is a National Historic Landmark.[4]

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,136 square miles (2,940 km2), of which 1,134 square miles (2,940 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.[6]

The Medicine Lodge River flows through the county.

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

Sources: National Atlas,[7] U.S. Census Bureau[8]

Demographics

[edit]
Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18802,661—
18907,973199.6%
19006,594−17.3%
19109,91650.4%
19209,739−1.8%
193010,1784.5%
19409,073−10.9%
19508,521−6.1%
19608,7132.3%
19707,016−19.5%
19806,548−6.7%
19905,874−10.3%
20005,307−9.7%
20104,861−8.4%
20204,228−13.0%
2023 (est.)4,071[9]−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[1]

As of the 2000 census,[14] there were 5,307 people, 2,235 households, and 1,510 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km2). There were 2,740 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.06% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.89% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.02% of the population.

There were 2,235 households, out of which 28.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 29.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,407, and the median income for a family was $40,234. Males had a median income of $29,806 versus $20,046 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,627. About 7.50% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.60% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]

Barber County Is a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry this county was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

Presidential elections

[edit]
Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Barber County, Kansas[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 1,854 85.44% 288 13.27% 28 1.29%
2020 2,014 85.99% 291 12.43% 37 1.58%
2016 1,850 81.82% 286 12.65% 125 5.53%
2012 1,772 76.58% 482 20.83% 60 2.59%
2008 1,833 74.45% 598 24.29% 31 1.26%
2004 1,782 74.16% 588 24.47% 33 1.37%
2000 1,755 70.26% 637 25.50% 106 4.24%
1996 1,696 62.15% 730 26.75% 303 11.10%
1992 1,225 42.52% 759 26.35% 897 31.14%
1988 1,539 56.87% 1,118 41.32% 49 1.81%
1984 2,112 71.84% 806 27.41% 22 0.75%
1980 1,872 62.53% 914 30.53% 208 6.95%
1976 1,568 50.43% 1,494 48.05% 47 1.51%
1972 2,308 74.26% 727 23.39% 73 2.35%
1968 2,023 60.55% 1,027 30.74% 291 8.71%
1964 1,758 48.51% 1,845 50.91% 21 0.58%
1960 2,703 66.48% 1,347 33.13% 16 0.39%
1956 2,698 68.32% 1,241 31.43% 10 0.25%
1952 3,071 74.09% 1,028 24.80% 46 1.11%
1948 2,013 50.92% 1,891 47.84% 49 1.24%
1944 2,140 58.28% 1,501 40.88% 31 0.84%
1940 2,389 52.84% 2,074 45.87% 58 1.28%
1936 1,816 39.41% 2,774 60.20% 18 0.39%
1932 1,671 40.88% 2,321 56.78% 96 2.35%
1928 2,984 76.43% 871 22.31% 49 1.26%
1924 2,218 58.25% 909 23.87% 681 17.88%
1920 2,400 66.45% 1,098 30.40% 114 3.16%
1916 1,632 40.97% 2,061 51.74% 290 7.28%
1912 295 12.73% 883 38.11% 1,139 49.16%
1908 1,097 53.72% 864 42.31% 81 3.97%
1904 967 58.29% 566 34.12% 126 7.59%
1900 862 51.16% 783 46.47% 40 2.37%
1896 597 44.45% 729 54.28% 17 1.27%
1892 883 37.75% 0 0.00% 1,456 62.25%
1888 977 48.80% 710 35.46% 315 15.73%

Laws

[edit]

Barber County allows the sale of liquor at not only liquor stores but also in restaurants.[16]

Economy

[edit]

RSI Corporation

Education

[edit]

Unified school districts

[edit]

School districts include:[17]

Communities

[edit]
2005 map of Barber County[18] (legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Barber County.[18]

Cities

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Ghost towns

[edit]
  • Lasswell
  • Mingona
  • Pixley

Townships

[edit]

Barber County is divided into eighteen townships. None of the cities within the county are considered governmentally independent, and all figures for the townships include those of the cities. 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.

Township FIPS Population
center 		Population Population
density
/km2 (/sq mi) 		Land area
km2 (sq mi)		 Water area
km2 (sq mi)		 Water % Geographic coordinates
Aetna 00400 3 0 (0) 318 (123) 0 (0) 0.13% 37°5′37″N 98°56′43″W / 37.09361°N 98.94528°W / 37.09361; -98.94528
Deerhead 17300 11 0 (0) 165 (64) 0 (0) 0.07% 37°13′59″N 98°58′3″W / 37.23306°N 98.96750°W / 37.23306; -98.96750
Eagle 19150 42 0 (0) 290 (112) 0 (0) 0.04% 37°10′13″N 98°46′22″W / 37.17028°N 98.77278°W / 37.17028; -98.77278
Elm Mills 20800 106 1 (2) 155 (60) 1 (0) 0.35% 37°25′37″N 98°38′45″W / 37.42694°N 98.64583°W / 37.42694; -98.64583
Elwood 20925 Hardtner 275 1 (3) 260 (100) 0 (0) 0.18% 37°2′30″N 98°40′35″W / 37.04167°N 98.67639°W / 37.04167; -98.67639
Hazelton 31175 Hazelton 213 1 (3) 189 (73) 1 (0) 0.33% 37°6′7″N 98°24′1″W / 37.10194°N 98.40028°W / 37.10194; -98.40028
Kiowa 37150 Kiowa 1,164 9 (24) 124 (48) 0 (0) 0.31% 37°1′3″N 98°29′19″W / 37.01750°N 98.48861°W / 37.01750; -98.48861
Lake City 37900 83 1 (2) 109 (42) 0 (0) 0.20% 37°21′11″N 98°49′2″W / 37.35306°N 98.81722°W / 37.35306; -98.81722
McAdoo 43550 29 0 (1) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.36% 37°26′16″N 98°49′31″W / 37.43778°N 98.82528°W / 37.43778; -98.82528
Medicine Lodge 45525 Medicine Lodge 2,573 8 (22) 309 (119) 1 (0) 0.33% 37°17′17″N 98°34′5″W / 37.28806°N 98.56806°W / 37.28806; -98.56806
Mingona 47050 57 0 (1) 139 (54) 0 (0) 0.10% 37°17′39″N 98°40′37″W / 37.29417°N 98.67694°W / 37.29417; -98.67694
Moore 48075 32 0 (1) 119 (46) 0 (0) 0.24% 37°4′9″N 98°32′59″W / 37.06917°N 98.54972°W / 37.06917; -98.54972
Nippawalla 50775 26 0 (0) 140 (54) 0 (0) 0.26% 37°9′56″N 98°32′5″W / 37.16556°N 98.53472°W / 37.16556; -98.53472
Ridge (defunct, merged with Sharon) 59775 4 0 (0) 93 (36) 0 (0) 0.12% 37°22′37″N 98°25′7″W / 37.37694°N 98.41861°W / 37.37694; -98.41861
Sharon 64350 Sharon 369 4 (10) 95 (37) 0 (0) 0.04% 37°14′56″N 98°24′32″W / 37.24889°N 98.40889°W / 37.24889; -98.40889
Sun City 69300 Sun City 100 1 (2) 124 (48) 0 (0) 0.09% 37°22′39″N 98°55′13″W / 37.37750°N 98.92028°W / 37.37750; -98.92028
Turkey Creek 71675 37 0 (1) 123 (47) 0 (0) 0.12% 37°26′6″N 98°55′0″W / 37.43500°N 98.91667°W / 37.43500; -98.91667
Valley 72750 Isabel 183 2 (5) 94 (36) 0 (0) 0.01% 37°26′6″N 98°31′44″W / 37.43500°N 98.52889°W / 37.43500; -98.52889
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

See also

[edit]
Community information for Kansas

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Barber County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Barber County KS". Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "Barber County, Kansas - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Cutler, William G. History of the State of Kansas: With Biographical Sketches and Portraits. Library Reprints, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-7222-4875-1.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ National Atlas Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau TIGER shape files". Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  13. ^ "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 21, 2014.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  16. ^ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties" (PDF). Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 25, 2012.
  17. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Barber County, KS" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 21, 2024. - Text list
  18. ^ a b "General Highway Map of Barber County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). September 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 7, 2023.

Further reading

[edit]
See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barber County, Kansas.
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