Cloud County, Kansas

Cloud County (county code CD) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,533.[1] Its county seat and most populous city is Concordia.[2]

Cloud County
County
Cloud County Courthouse in Concordia (2013)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates:
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedMarch 27, 1867
Named forWilliam F. Cloud
SeatConcordia
Largest cityConcordia
Area
 • Total718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Land715 sq mi (1,850 km2)
 • Water2.6 sq mi (7 km2)  0.4%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
8,729
 • Density13/sq mi (5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code785
Congressional district1st
Websitecloudcountyks.org

History
1915 Railroad Map of Cloud County

Early history
See also: History of Kansas

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

19th century

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, Cloud County was established.

Cloud county was originally named Shirley County, but civic leaders feared that sounded too much like the name of a prostitute.[3] It was then renamed "Cloud" county in honor of Colonel William F. Cloud.[4]

Cloud County was formed from the existing Washington County, Kansas in a joint convention with Republic and Cloud counties. The county was legally organized on September 6, 1866, with Elk Creek designated as the temporary county seat.[5]

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 renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 715 square miles (1,850 km2) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2) (0.4%) is water.[6]

Geographic features

The Republican River passes through the county, entering from Republic County to the north and exiting to Clay County to the east. The Solomon River traverses the southwestern portion of the county, going from Mitchell County to Ottawa County. Jamestown Lake lies partially in the northwestern part of the county and partially in southwestern Republic county.

Major highways

Cloud County is bisected from north to south by U.S. Route 81, which runs through the town of Concordia and connects north to Belleville, Kansas or south to Salina, Kansas. The southern part of the county also has U.S. Route 24, connecting Clay Center, Kansas from the east and Beloit, Kansas to the west.

There are four other state highways in the county: K-9, K-28, K-189, and K-194.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18702,323—
188015,343560.5%
189019,29525.8%
190018,071−6.3%
191018,3881.8%
192017,714−3.7%
193018,0061.6%
194017,247−4.2%
195016,104−6.6%
196014,407−10.5%
197013,466−6.5%
198012,494−7.2%
199011,023−11.8%
200010,268−6.8%
20109,533−7.2%
2018 (est.)8,729[7]−8.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2016[1]
Population pyramid

As of the 2000 census,[12] there were 10,268 people, 4,163 households, and 2,697 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (6/km2). There were 4,838 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.30% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.

There were 4,163 households, out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.20% were non-families. 30.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.40% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 21.90% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 23.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,758, and the median income for a family was $39,745. Males had a median income of $27,166 versus $20,114 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,536. About 6.40% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.10% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Cloud County is a Republican Stronghold. The Last democrat to carry this county was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Presidential Elections Results
Presidential Elections Results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 74.3% 2,919 19.4% 761 6.4% 250
2012 72.8% 2,954 24.0% 974 3.2% 130
2008 70.1% 3,121 27.7% 1,233 2.2% 97
2004 71.5% 3,221 26.9% 1,210 1.6% 72
2000 64.8% 2,918 29.2% 1,314 6.0% 271
1996 54.7% 2,743 32.2% 1,615 13.2% 660
1992 39.1% 2,131 31.6% 1,720 29.3% 1,597
1988 59.3% 3,043 39.4% 2,022 1.2% 63
1984 66.4% 3,860 32.4% 1,880 1.2% 71
1980 61.6% 3,581 30.8% 1,793 7.6% 443
1976 48.7% 2,954 49.1% 2,976 2.2% 131
1972 66.4% 3,832 31.3% 1,806 2.3% 135
1968 56.2% 3,282 36.5% 2,132 7.3% 429
1964 44.4% 2,680 54.8% 3,314 0.8% 49
1960 60.6% 4,045 39.0% 2,607 0.4% 25
1956 68.6% 4,466 30.9% 2,008 0.5% 35
1952 75.2% 5,580 24.2% 1,793 0.6% 44
1948 56.2% 4,018 40.4% 2,891 3.4% 246
1944 63.7% 4,377 34.8% 2,391 1.6% 107
1940 60.4% 5,275 38.1% 3,327 1.4% 126
1936 47.9% 4,208 51.8% 4,546 0.4% 31
1932 39.9% 3,120 57.1% 4,457 3.0% 235
1928 68.3% 5,286 30.7% 2,376 1.1% 83
1924 62.6% 4,342 17.8% 1,238 19.6% 1,359
1920 69.8% 4,090 26.2% 1,534 4.0% 234
1916 39.9% 2,870 53.4% 3,837 6.7% 483
1912 21.8% 899 40.2% 1,658 38.0% 1,569
1908 52.2% 2,170 40.0% 1,663 7.7% 321
1904 67.6% 2,470 17.1% 626 15.3% 560
1900 51.9% 2,315 45.8% 2,045 2.3% 103
1896 44.1% 1,718 54.7% 2,129 1.2% 46
1892 45.0% 1,915 55.0% 2,342
1888 59.6% 2,542 24.6% 1,052 15.8% 675

Laws

Following amendment to the Kansas Constitution in 1986, Cloud County remained a prohibition, or "dry", county until 1998, when voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30 percent food sales requirement.[14]

Education

Colleges
Historic

Unified school districts

Communities
2005 KDOT Map of Cloud County (map legend)

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Cloud County is divided into eighteen townships. The city of Concordia 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.

TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Arion022751051 (3)94 (36)0 (0)0.06%39°28′28″N 97°44′42″W
Aurora034501692 (5)94 (36)0 (0)0.03%39°26′27″N 97°32′2″W
Buffalo091001191 (3)112 (43)1 (0)0.46%39°35′12″N 97°45′13″W
Center116251721 (3)141 (54)0 (0)0%39°26′51″N 97°38′45″W
Colfax14775491 (1)93 (36)0 (0)0.05%39°26′6″N 97°25′19″W
Elk2015084512 (30)72 (28)1 (0)1.08%39°35′51″N 97°24′16″W
Grant275254795 (14)92 (35)2 (1)1.75%39°36′6″N 97°52′7″W
Lawrence388751462 (4)93 (36)1 (0)1.22%39°36′18″N 97°32′41″W
Lincoln405253786 (16)61 (24)1 (0)1.21%39°33′20″N 97°39′5″W
Lyon434251031 (2)142 (55)0 (0)0.02%39°22′2″N 97°46′20″W
Meredith45925771 (2)94 (36)0 (0)0.03%39°21′1″N 97°38′53″W
Nelson496001372 (4)91 (35)0 (0)0%39°30′55″N 97°31′36″W
Oakland51750521 (1)93 (36)0 (0)0.15%39°21′44″N 97°31′44″W
Shirley653751782 (4)110 (42)1 (0)0.60%39°32′47″N 97°26′5″W
Sibley654251782 (5)92 (35)1 (1)1.45%39°36′54″N 97°42′5″W
Solomon662506645 (12)141 (54)0 (0)0%39°21′49″N 97°51′34″W
Starr680506537 (18)92 (36)0 (0)0.21%39°20′52″N 97°26′42″W
Summit69050500 (1)139 (54)0 (0)0%39°30′11″N 97°51′59″W
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

Notable people
Frank Carlson was the 30th Governor of Kansas. He called Concordia his home, and the Frank Carlson Library is named in his honor.
See List of people from Cloud County, Kansas

Charles H. Blosser was an aviator who was awarded the Kansas Governor's Aviation Honors Award and was inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1990. At one time, he was the oldest living licensed pilot in the United States.[16][17]

Napoleon Bonaparte Brown was a soldier, businessman, politician, and resident of Kansas and Missouri in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[18] He is most known as the namesake and builder of the Brown Grand Theatre in Concordia, Kansas, a majestic opera house completed in 1907 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater has been called "the most elegant theater between Kansas City and Denver."[18]

Frank Carlson was an American politician who served as the 30th Governor of Kansas and United States Representative and United States Senator from Kansas. He called Concordia his home.[19]

Larry Hartshorn was a former NFL Offensive Guard who played for the Chicago Cardinals in 1955 and 1957. He later played in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders in 1958. After his years in professional football, Hartshorn moved to Concordia to become a teacher and coach for 33 years at Concordia Junior-Senior High School, where he coached Keith Christensen. Hartshorn began the wrestling program in 1966, running it as head coach from 1966 to 1974. He continued to serve in various coaching and education capacities until his retirement.

Ernest C. Quigley was a basketball referee and as an umpire in Major League Baseball. He also worked as an American football coach and official. Quigley was raised in Concordia, Kansas where he was a prominent member of the high school football team in the 1890s.[20] In 1944 he became the athletic director at the University of Kansas.[21]

Cloud County has also been listed as one of the locations for Smallville in the Superman story line.

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Brackman, Barbara (1997). Kansas Trivia. Thomas Nelson Inc. p. 21. ISBN 9781418553814.
  4. Kansas Skyways Archived February 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine "Cloud County History"
  5. History of the State of Kansas by William G. Cutler, Kansas Collection of Books
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 1, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
  14. "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 26, 2007.
  15. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 806.
  16. "Wings Over Kansas". Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  17. Unruh, Tim (May 31, 2010). "Flood of Memories". Salina Journal. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  18. Moran, Jerry. "Historic Performing Theatre – The Brown Grand Theatre". The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Retrieved February 29, 2008.
  19. "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". United States Congress. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  20. It Takes People to Make a Town by Janet Pease Emery, p. 101, 1971
  21. Kansas State Historical Society Archived July 3, 2010, at the Wayback Machine "E.C. (Ernie) Quigley"

Further reading
See also: List of books about State of Kansas (which includes historical information about its counties and cities too)
County
Maps
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