Galena, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Galena is a city in Cherokee County
, Kansas
, United States
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,085.
found here in 1877. The city was originally platted by the Galena Mining and Smelting Company and was to be known as Cornwall. The city was actually known as Short Creek when first established because of a nearby creek and was known as Bonanza briefly before taking the present name. The city was part of the tri state mining area and had over 30,000 inhabitants. After the closing the mines in the 1970s population decreased. The population was 3,287 at the 2000 census.
Galena is the eastern end of the segment of U.S. Route 66
that passes through Kansas.
The Jayhawk Ordnance Works northwest of Galena, built during World War II
, was a large ordnance plant producing ammonium nitrate. After the war it was privatized by its operator Kenneth Aldred Spencer and at one point was the world's largest producer of ammonium nitrate fertilizer
in the world. It would form the basis for the Spencer Chemical Company's fortune which would eventually be funneled into numerous philanthropies throughout Missouri and Kansas. The Spencer family had been in the area because of their ownership of the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Co. mining operation. The plant is still in operation as the Jayhawk Fine Chemicals Corporation.
, the city has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), of which, 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (1.09%) is water.
of 2000, there were 3,287 people, 1,290 households, and 868 families residing in the city. The population density
was 721.9 people per square mile (278.9/km²). There were 1,471 housing units at an average density of 323.1 per square mile (124.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.38% White, 0.76% African American, 5.90% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.88% from other races
, and 3.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population.
There were 1,290 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples
living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,401, and the median income for a family was $30,595. Males had a median income of $27,101 versus $17,865 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,172. About 18.5% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
Schools
Historical
Maps
Cherokee County, Kansas
Cherokee County is a county located in Southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 21,603. Its county seat is Columbus, and its most populous city is Baxter Springs...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,085.
History
The city was named after the lead ore galenaGalena
Galena is the natural mineral form of lead sulfide. It is the most important lead ore mineral.Galena is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals. It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system often showing octahedral forms...
found here in 1877. The city was originally platted by the Galena Mining and Smelting Company and was to be known as Cornwall. The city was actually known as Short Creek when first established because of a nearby creek and was known as Bonanza briefly before taking the present name. The city was part of the tri state mining area and had over 30,000 inhabitants. After the closing the mines in the 1970s population decreased. The population was 3,287 at the 2000 census.
Galena is the eastern end of the segment of U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 was a highway within the U.S. Highway System. One of the original U.S. highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926 -- with road signs erected the following year...
that passes through Kansas.
The Jayhawk Ordnance Works northwest of Galena, built during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, was a large ordnance plant producing ammonium nitrate. After the war it was privatized by its operator Kenneth Aldred Spencer and at one point was the world's largest producer of ammonium nitrate fertilizer
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use...
in the world. It would form the basis for the Spencer Chemical Company's fortune which would eventually be funneled into numerous philanthropies throughout Missouri and Kansas. The Spencer family had been in the area because of their ownership of the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Co. mining operation. The plant is still in operation as the Jayhawk Fine Chemicals Corporation.
Geography
Galena is located at 37°4′28"N 94°38′8"W (37.074459, -94.635549). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), of which, 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (1.09%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,287 people, 1,290 households, and 868 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 721.9 people per square mile (278.9/km²). There were 1,471 housing units at an average density of 323.1 per square mile (124.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.38% White, 0.76% African American, 5.90% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.88% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population.
There were 1,290 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,401, and the median income for a family was $30,595. Males had a median income of $27,101 versus $17,865 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $12,172. About 18.5% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Galena's one high school (Galena High) has been known for their sports of late. The boys went to the 3A State basketball tournament in 2006, 2008-2010. The baseball team has been champions twice in 1979 and 2010. The football team has also been to the playoffs, including the state semi-finals in 2009. They have had Boys and Girls Golf State qualifiers also.In the media
- Galena is home to the International HarvesterInternational HarvesterInternational Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
L-170 truck that became the inspiration for the character "MaterMater (Cars)Sir Tow Mater or better known as Mater is the deuteragonist in the 2006 animated Pixar film Cars and the main protagonist in its sequel...
" in Disney's "CarsCars (film)Cars is a 2006 American animated family film produced by Pixar and directed by John Lasseter and co-directed by Joe Ranft. It is the seventh Disney·Pixar feature film, and Pixar's final, independently-produced motion picture before its purchase by Disney...
". The truck sits at 119 N. Main St. by the "Four Women on the Route" diner and souvenir store. - In the book The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath is a novel published in 1939 and written by John Steinbeck, who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1940 and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962....
, the characters Sairy and Ivy Wilson came from Galena.
Gallery
- Historic Images of Galena, Special Photo Collections at Wichita State UniversityWichita State UniversityWichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
Library
External links
CitySchools
- USD 499, local school district
Historical
Maps
- 2011 Galena City Map, KDOT
- 2011 Cherokee County Map, KDOT