Dickinson County, Kansas

Dickinson County
County
Dickinson County Courthouse in Abilene (2009)
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Kansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Kansas
Founded	February 20, 1857
Named for	Daniel S. Dickinson
Seat	Abilene
Largest city	Abilene
Area
• Total	852 sq mi (2,210 km2)
• Land	847 sq mi (2,190 km2)
• Water	4.9 sq mi (13 km2)  0.6%
Population  (2020)
• Total	18,402
• Estimate  (2023)	18,445
• Density	21.7/sq mi (8.4/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code	785
Congressional district	1st
Website	DkCoKS.org

Dickinson County is a county in Central Kansas. Its county seat and most populous city is Abilene. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 18,402. The county was named in honor of Daniel Dickinson, a U.S. Senator from New York that was a Kansas statehood advocate.

History

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. 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 1848, after the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Spain brought into the United States all or part of land for ten future states, including southwest Kansas. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.

19th century

1915-1918 railroad map of Dickinson County

In 1857, Dickinson County was founded.

The first railroad in Dickinson County was built through that territory in 1866.

In 1887, Mr. Herington got the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway to build through Herington. He gave the land and right-of-way for Herington to become a division point with shops, two round houses, freight house, bridge yards, telegraph office and many other buildings. He furnished the limestone for the freight house, and for a two-story depot that was 28 by 66 feet (8.5 m × 20.1 m) and later enlarged to 28 by 105 feet (8.5 m × 32.0 m).

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a main line from Topeka to Herington. This main line connected Topeka, Valencia, Willard, Maple Hill, Vera, Paxico, McFarland, Alma, Volland, Alta Vista, Dwight, White City, Latimer, Herington.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway extended its main line from Herington to Pratt. This main line connected Herington, Ramona, Tampa, Durham, Waldeck, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Groveland, Inman, Medora, Hutchinson, Whiteside, Partridge, Arlington, Langdon, Turon, Preston, Natrona, Pratt. In 1888, this main line was extended to Liberal. Later, this line was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. This line is called the "Golden State Limited".

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north–south from Herington to Caldwell. This branch line connected Herington, Lost Springs, Lincolnville, Antelope, Marion, Aulne, Peabody, Elbing, Whitewater, Furley, Kechi, Wichita, Peck, Corbin, Wellington, Caldwell. By 1893, this branch line was incrementally built to Fort Worth, Texas. This line is called the "OKT".

The Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway was foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

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".

21st century

In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing Pipeline (Phase II) was constructed north to south through Dickinson County, with much controversy over tax exemption and environmental concerns. A pumping station named Hope was built along the pipeline.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 852 square miles (2,210 km²), of which 847 square miles (2,190 km²) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km²) (0.6%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Clay County (north)
• Geary County (east)
• Morris County (southeast)
• Marion County (south)
• McPherson County (southwest)
• Saline County (west)
• Ottawa County (northwest)

Demographics

Population pyramid based on 2000 census age data

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	378		—
1870	3,043		705.0%
1880	15,251		401.2%
1890	22,273		46.0%
1900	21,816		−2.1%
1910	24,361		11.7%
1920	25,777		5.8%
1930	25,870		0.4%
1940	22,929		−11.4%
1950	21,190		−7.6%
1960	21,572		1.8%
1970	19,993		−7.3%
1980	20,175		0.9%
1990	18,958		−6.0%
2000	19,344		2.0%
2010	19,754		2.1%
2020	18,402		−6.8%
2023 (est.)	18,445		0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 19,344 people, 7,903 households, and 5,421 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (8.9 people/km²). There were 8,686 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km²). The county's racial makeup was 96.44% White, 0.58% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 7,903 households, of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 28.10% of households were made up of individuals, and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 18.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The county's median household income was $35,975, and the median family income was $43,952. Males had a median income of $30,889 versus $18,526 for females. The per capita income in the county was $17,780. About 5.30% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.70% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Presidential election results

United States presidential election results for Dickinson County, Kansas

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	7,126	76.22%	2,060	22.03%	163	1.74%
2016	6,029	73.43%	1,609	19.60%	572	6.97%
2012	5,832	72.52%	2,020	25.12%	190	2.36%
2008	6,081	70.16%	2,422	27.95%	164	1.89%
2004	6,295	71.61%	2,364	26.89%	132	1.50%
2000	5,243	64.79%	2,413	29.82%	436	5.39%
1996	5,174	60.53%	2,423	28.35%	951	11.13%
1992	3,851	41.76%	2,518	27.31%	2,852	30.93%
1988	5,121	63.28%	2,870	35.47%	101	1.25%
1984	6,487	73.96%	2,168	24.72%	116	1.32%
1980	5,654	67.64%	2,108	25.22%	597	7.14%
1976	4,759	55.23%	3,672	42.61%	186	2.16%
1972	6,515	75.34%	1,957	22.63%	175	2.02%
1968	5,574	64.32%	2,399	27.68%	693	8.00%
1964	4,704	53.17%	4,070	46.00%	73	0.83%
1960	6,956	69.18%	3,054	30.37%	45	0.45%
1956	7,422	74.91%	2,452	24.75%	34	0.34%
1952	8,969	81.78%	1,967	17.94%	31	0.28%
1948	5,918	59.98%	3,815	38.66%	134	1.36%
1944	6,227	65.92%	3,190	33.77%	29	0.31%
1940	6,931	63.25%	3,957	36.11%	70	0.64%
1936	5,936	52.61%	5,313	47.09%	34	0.30%
1932	5,320	49.04%	5,339	49.21%	190	1.75%
1928	7,758	77.04%	2,246	22.30%	66	0.66%
1924	6,178	64.58%	1,690	17.67%	1,698	17.75%
1920	5,761	69.10%	2,387	28.63%	189	2.27%
1916	4,323	45.06%	4,974	51.85%	296	3.09%
1912	988	18.31%	2,182	40.44%	2,225	41.24%
1908	2,886	53.31%	2,282	42.15%	246	4.54%
1904	3,185	66.88%	1,219	25.60%	358	7.52%
1900	2,771	52.93%	2,352	44.93%	112	2.14%
1896	2,291	48.31%	2,399	50.59%	52	1.10%
1892	2,419	47.14%	0	0.00%	2,712	52.86%
1888	2,746	54.15%	1,695	33.43%	630	12.42%

Laws

Dickinson County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.

Education

Unified school districts

• Solomon USD 393
• Abilene USD 435
• Chapman USD 473
• Herington USD 487

School district office in neighboring county

• Rural Vista USD 481

Communities

2005 map of Dickinson County (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Dickinson County.

Cities

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

• Abilene (county seat)
• Carlton
• Chapman
• Enterprise
• Herington‡
• Hope
• Manchester
• Solomon‡
• Woodbine

Unincorporated communities

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

• Acme
• Bonaccord
• Buckeye
• Dayton
• Detroit†
• Dillon
• Donegal
• Elmo
• Holland
• Industry‡
• Lyona
• Manchester
• Moonlight
• Navarre†
• Pearl
• Rhinehardt
• Shady Brook
• Stitt
• Stoney
• Sutphen
• Talmage†
• Upland

Townships

Dickinson County is divided into twenty-four townships. The cities of Abilene and Herington are considered governmentally independent and are 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.

Township	FIPS	Population center	Population	Population density /km2 (/sq mi)	Land area km2 (sq mi)	Water area km2 (sq mi)	Water %	Geographic coordinates
Banner	03975		148	2 (4)	92 (35)	1 (0)	0.62%	38°39′37″N 97°11′50″W
Buckeye	08925		437	5 (12)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.15%	38°59′1″N 97°12′58″W
Center	11675		1,210	13 (34)	92 (35)	2 (1)	2.16%	38°54′32″N 97°6′21″W
Cheever	12700		149	2 (4)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.04%	39°5′58″N 97°11′42″W
Flora	23550		217	2 (6)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.08%	39°5′12″N 97°19′4″W
Fragrant Hill	24250		251	3 (8)	77 (30)	0 (0)	0.21%	39°4′54″N 97°0′34″W
Garfield	25550		189	2 (5)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.06%	38°49′22″N 97°18′43″W
Grant	27625		918	11 (29)	82 (32)	1 (1)	1.58%	38°54′42″N 97°12′22″W
Hayes	30900		233	3 (8)	78 (30)	0 (0)	0.04%	38°59′43″N 97°6′8″W
Holland	32625		107	1 (3)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.17%	38°40′19″N 97°18′39″W
Hope	33100		519	6 (15)	92 (35)	0 (0)	0.45%	38°39′36″N 97°5′13″W
Jefferson	35175		166	2 (5)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.46%	38°44′1″N 97°11′45″W
Liberty	40000		405	4 (9)	114 (44)	0 (0)	0.11%	38°49′11″N 96°57′35″W
Lincoln	40625		1,669	18 (46)	93 (36)	2 (1)	1.99%	38°54′51″N 97°20′46″W
Logan	41850		202	2 (6)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.23%	38°49′12″N 97°5′3″W
Lyon	43475		252	3 (8)	86 (33)	1 (0)	0.98%	38°39′32″N 96°59′20″W
Newbern	50225		349	4 (10)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.14%	38°50′6″N 97°11′43″W
Noble	50800		1,730	21 (55)	81 (31)	1 (0)	1.29%	38°58′59″N 97°0′23″W
Ridge	59800		160	2 (4)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.43%	38°44′14″N 97°5′0″W
Rinehart	59900		194	2 (5)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.40%	38°55′18″N 96°59′30″W
Sherman	64925		147	2 (5)	78 (30)	0 (0)	0%	39°5′6″N 97°6′10″W
Union	72100		176	2 (5)	94 (36)	0 (0)	0.20%	38°43′38″N 96°58′14″W
Wheatland	77625		152	2 (4)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.18%	38°43′59″N 97°18′27″W
Willowdale	79450		258	3 (7)	93 (36)	0 (0)	0.05%	38°59′41″N 97°18′7″W
Sources: "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files". U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division. Archived from the original on August 2, 2002.

Points of interest

The Eisenhower Library is in Abilene. In addition to exhibits relating to the life and presidency of the 34th US president, the site is also the location of the tombs of President Eisenhower, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, and their son who died in infancy.

Notable people

On April 15, 1871, Wild Bill Hickok became marshal of Abilene after its previous marshal was shot and killed.

See also: List of people from Dickinson County, Kansas

Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was born in Texas but moved to Abilene at an early age and considered Abilene home. He was the 34th President of the United States from 1953 until 1961. Prior to that he was a five-star general in the United States Army. During World War II, as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe; he planned and supervised the invasion of North Africa in Operation Torch in 1942–43 and the invasion of France and Germany in 1944–45, from the Western Front. In 1951, he became the first supreme commander of NATO. The Eisenhower Library (see above) is in Abilene.

Joe Engle is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and a former NASA astronaut. Engle helped to flight test the joint NASA-Air Force X-15 rocket airplane. During testing, Engle earned his USAF astronaut wings, a Distinguished Flying Cross and other awards. He was one of the first astronauts in the Space Shuttle program and flight tested the Space Shuttle Enterprise in 1977. He was commander of the second orbital test flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981. Engle was born and raised in Chapman.

Several figures from the American Old West spent time in the county. Folk hero James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, gunfighter John Wesley Hardin, and dance hall girl/prostitute Libby Thompson all made their mark in Abilene when it was in its wild cattle-town days.

US Army Chaplains John H. Eastwood and Emil Kapaun were stationed at Herington Army Airfield for part of their tour of duty during World War II.

Pop Hollinger pioneered the industry of comic book collecting and also managed to secure several patents. He grew up in Chapman.

See also

• List of people from Dickinson County, Kansas
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Dickinson County, Kansas

Community information for Kansas

• Kansas locations by per capita income
• List of counties in Kansas
• List of townships in Kansas
• List of cities in Kansas
• List of unincorporated communities in Kansas
• List of ghost towns in Kansas

References

Notes

Further reading

See also: List of books about Kansas, including historical information about its counties and cities

See also: List of books about Chisholm Trail

County

• The Scully Land System in Marion County, Kansas; Homer Socolofsky; Kansas State University; 110 pages; 1944/1947. (includes Dickinson County)
• Standard Atlas of Dickinson County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 82 pages; 1921.
• Plat Book and Complete Survey of Dickinson County, Kansas; Kenyon Company; 54 pages; 1909.
• Standard Atlas of Dickinson County, Kansas; Geo. A. Ogle & Co; 63 pages; 1901.
• Portrait and Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson, and Marion Counties, Kansas; Chapman Bros; 614 pages; 1893.

Trails

• The National Old Trails Road To Southern California, Part 1 (LA to KC); Automobile Club Of Southern California; 64 pages; 1916. (Download 6.8MB PDF eBook)

External links

County

• Dickinson County - Official
• Dickinson County - Directory of Public Officials

Historical

• Dickinson County Kansas History and Heritage Project

Maps

• Dickinson County Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
• Kansas Highway Maps: Current, Historic, KDOT
• Kansas Railroad Maps: Current, 1996, 1915, KDOT and Kansas Historical Society