Concordia, Kansas

Concordia's population was estimated to be 5,281 in the year 2006, a decrease of 402, or -7.1%, over the previous six years.³

As of the census¹ of 2000, there were 5,714 people, 2,310 households, and 1,399 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,689.0 people per square mile (652.7/km²). There were 2,671 housing units at an average density of 789.5/sq mi (305.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.90% White, 0.58% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.

There were 2,310 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 23.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,398, and the median income for a family was $40,389. Males had a median income of $27,764 versus $20,885 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,019. About 7.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

History

1860-1900

Concordia holds the distinction of being elected the county seat before the town was created⁷. The founder of the town, James M. Hagaman had created a complete layout of the town on paper including streets, blocks, courthouse, and parks. The name "Concordia" was chosen because a member of the early group of promoters ("Cap" Snyder) had once lived in Concordia, Missouri.

December 1869 was the first election for the county seat with Concordia, Clyde and the now defunct town Sibley. Without a clear majority, a second election was held between Concordia and Sibley on January 4, 1870. Concordia was declared the winner over Sibley 165 votes to 129.

It was over a year later when Concordia officially became a town when the Republican Land District Office opened on January 16, 1871. The Concordia Land Office continued until February 28, 1889 when it was consolidated with the land office in Topeka, Kansas.

Also in 1871, Concordia elected its first mayor, R. E. Allen. Under his leadership, Concordia was officially incorporated as a third class city under Kansas law in August 1872.

Concordia was visited in its early years by many traveling shows. As early as 1876 various traveling entertainers including Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill Cody, Ringling Brothers, and others came to Concordia. In 1892, the Ringling train wrecked east of the town killing two men and twenty horses, but the show played the next day to a crowd of 4,000.

Early 1900s

Carrie Nation visited Concordia in the early 1900s. Records are mixed, but the date is placed between 1908 and 1910. The Concordia Blade newspaper (now the Concordia Blade-Empire) reported:

Attractions

The Brown Grand Theatre

In November 1905, Concordia resident Colonel Napoleon Bonaparte Brown announced to the townspeople his plans to build a fully outfitted opera house for Concordia. Renowned Kansas City theatre architect Carl Boiler was hired to prepare the design drawings and the blueprints.

Restored to its original 1907 splendor, the 650 seat Brown Grand Theatre now serves as a tourist attraction and performing arts/community center for Concordia and North Central Kansas.

Camp Concordia

During World War II, a German prisoner of war camp was maintained a few miles north of Concordia. The original guard house remains and has been restored.

Cloud County Historical Museum

The Museum preserves and exhibits objects and documents of historical items representing early-day Kansas. It is housed in the former 1908 Andrew Carnegie Library building and a large newer annex. The treasures of Cloud County, Kansas are exhibited for your viewing - nature, radio, railroads, quilts, photography, toys, vintage clothing and furniture, musical instruments, fossils, tools, and stained glass.

Records are on display of the military Prisoner of War Camp, churches, organizations, schools, and businesses. Displays of glass cutting, rare coins and books, rock and gem shop, micro-film of county newspapers and many others too numerous to list.

Cloud County Veterans Memorial

The Veterans Memorial is housed in the courthouse block of Concordia. The memorial includes an "eternal flame" that has been burning since the monument was established on November 11, 1968.

National Orphan Train complex

Concordia is the home of the national Orphan Train complex, housed in the restored historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot. The complex currently houses a museum and research center dedicated to the preservation of the stories and artifacts of those who were part of the Orphan Train Movement from 1854-1929.⁸

Nazareth Motherhouse

The sisters quickly gained a fine reputation for the education of young women at Nazareth, giving them a sound academic program and instruction in the fine arts, music, French and the social graces. In 1903, the Sisters of St. Joseph entered the health care field in Concordia with the establishment of the St. Joseph Hospital on the original site after the new Nazareth Motherhouse was built at its present location.

Historic bridges

Stained Glass Tour

Concordia claims the title "The Stained Glass Capital of Kansas" and a local tour has been established. Although common in many houses of worship, many private residences also have quality stained glass installed and available for viewing on the tour.

Small game hunting

Small game hunting (particularly game birds such as pheasant, quail, and dove) attracts a large number of people from all over the world. Opening Day of hunting season is an especially active day for Concordia as it brings a large number of visitors and a boost to the local economy.

Camping

The city of Concordia has complementary overnight camping available at Airport Park, one of several city parks. Airport Park is located at the Blosser Municipal Airport (see below).

Aviation

Communications

Radio

Radio Stations KNCK (1390 AM) and KCKS (94.9 FM) operate from the same broadcasting facility in Concordia and are privately owned. Radio Station KVCO (88.3 FM) operate as a broadcast journalism project by Cloud County Community College in Concordia. KVCO is publicly owned and operated by the school.

Newspaper

The Concordia Blade-Empire is the official county newspaper and publishes its edition five days a week from its location in Concordia.

Education

Elementary and secondary education

The city maintains an active elementary and secondary school district⁹. Public Elementary Education for grades K-6 are completed in the district across several buildings. Public secondary education for grades 7-12 is completed at Concordia Junior-Senior High School. Class sizes typically range between 80 to 120 students.

The school district also runs the Cloud County Alternative High School¹⁰, primarily for area non-traditional students. Students can earn their diploma online or through computer-based classes. Enrollment is very small, typically graduating less than ten students each year.

The Catholic Church in Concordia operated Notre Dame High School¹¹ a private Catholic High School from 1962 to 1969. It remained open as a Catholic grade school until 1971, when the local district purchased the property and has used it for fifth and sixth grades under the name Concordia Middle School.

Post-secondary education

Public library

Notable residents

References

^ ^a ^b "American FactFinder", United States Census Bureau, http://factfinder.census.gov, retrieved on 31 January 2008.
^ "US Board on Geographic Names", United States Geological Survey, 2007-10-25, http://geonames.usgs.gov, retrieved on 31 January 2008.
^ ^a ^b "Population Estimates", U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.php. Annual estimates of the population to 2006-07-01. Released 2007-06-28. Population change is from 2000-07-01 to 2006-07-01.
^ "Find a County", National Association of Counties, http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm, retrieved on 31 January 2008.
^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990", United States Census Bureau, 2005-05-03, http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html, retrieved on 31 January 2008.
^ Cloud County, KS
^ Cloud County, Part 2
^ National Orphan Train Complex
^ Concordia Kansas Public Schools
^ Concordia Kansas Public Schools
^ Notre Dame High School Class Of
^ Concordia Kansas Public Schools - Where are they now? - Amber Campbell - CHS 2001
^ Boston Corbett
^ New Orleans Saints 1969 Stats, History, Awards and More
^ http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=DEWELBIL01 Billy Dewel Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com
^ Larry Hartshorn Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com
^ Malone College : January 27, 2006
^ Concordia Kansas Public Schools - Where Are They Now - Kaye Vaughn - Class of 1949

Contents

Geography and climate

Demographics