- Hiawatha, Kansas
-
Hiawatha, Kansas — City — Brown County Court House
Nickname(s): The City of Beautiful Maples, Oldest Halloween Parade in the Nation Location of Hiawatha, Kansas
Coordinates: 39°51′9″N 95°32′11″W / 39.8525°N 95.53639°WCoordinates: 39°51′9″N 95°32′11″W / 39.8525°N 95.53639°W Country 
United StatesState 
KansasCounty Brown Established 1857 Area – Total 2.2 sq mi (5.8 km2) – Land 2.2 sq mi (5.8 km2) – Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) Elevation 1,132 ft (345 m) Population (2010)[1] – Total 3,172 – Density 1,441.8/sq mi (556.7/km2) Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6) – Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5) ZIP code 66434 Area code(s) 785 FIPS code 20-31675[2] GNIS feature ID 0472987[3] Website CityOfHiawatha.org Hiawatha (Ioway: Hári Wáta pronounced [haːꜜɾi waːꜜtʰɐ]) is the largest city and county seat of Brown County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,172.[1] It is the largest city on U.S. Route 36 between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado.
Hiawatha is named after a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow called The Song of Hiawatha. In the poem is legendary Onondaga and Mohawk Indian leader Hiawatha. Adjacent to the former Ioway-Sac reservation and the present-day Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, Hiawatha is called Hári Wáta in Ioway, meaning "I am looking far away".[4] This name may be the result of choosing Ioway words that sound like the English name. It has nothing to do with the Onondaga-Mohawk leader.[citation needed]
Hiawatha is nicknamed the "City of Beautiful Maples" because of its countless trees that produce delightful colors in the fall season.[citation needed] The city also claims to have the oldest Halloween parade in the nation, starting in 1914.[citation needed]
Contents
History
Hiawatha was founded in 1857. John M. Coe, John P. Wheller, and Thomas J. Drummond were instrumental in organizing the city, and the site was staked out February 17, 1857. B.L. Rider reportedly was responsible for naming Hiawatha, taking the young Indian's name from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, The Song of Hiawatha.[5] Hiawatha became the Brown County Seat in 1858, and the first school opened in 1870.
The main street was designated Oregon Street after the Oregon Trail. Parallel streets north of it were named after Indian tribes north of the Trail, and streets south carried tribal names of those south of the Trail.
Geography
Hiawatha is located at 39°51′9″N 95°32′11″W / 39.8525°N 95.53639°W (39.852530, -95.536429).[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.8 square kilometers (2.2 sq mi), all land.
Demographics
Historical populations Census Pop. %± 1990 3,603 — 2000 3,417 −5.2% 2010 3,172 −7.2% U.S. Decennial Census As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 3,417 people, 1,466 households, and 914 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,529.2 people per square mile (591.6/km²). There were 1,646 housing units at an average density of 736.7 per square mile (285.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.43% White, 2.78% African American, 2.19% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 1.20% from other races, and 2.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.99% of the population.
There were 1,466 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,854, and the median income for a family was $46,310. Males had a median income of $31,843 versus $20,385 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,981. About 8.5% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
Tourist attractions
- Davis Memorial
Davis MemorialCoordinates: 39°50′57″N 95°30′57″W / 39.84917°N 95.51583°WCoordinates: 39°50′57″N 95°30′57″W / 39.84917°N 95.51583°W Built: 1931 Architect: Horace England Co. Governing body: Private NRHP Reference#: 77000571[7] Added to NRHP: August 29, 1977 The Davis Memorial is a monument in the Mount Hope Cemetery, built by John Milburn Davis in honor of his wife Sarah after her death. Begun soon after her death in 1930 and completed in 1934, the monument consists of statues of the couple and a small shelter, carved from Italian marble. Its cost (approximately $200,000) led many in the community to criticize Davis for his free spending during the Great Depression. Today, the monument benefits the community financially because of the thousands of tourists who visit it.[8] The memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.[7]
- City clock
701 Oregon Street; downtown area
This is the only such clock between Indianapolis and Denver on U.S. Route 36. It was built in 1891 as part of the First National Bank building and is listed on the Kansas Register.
- Brown County Historical Museum
611 Utah Street, South of Brown County Courthouse Square
It is owned and operated by the Brown County Historical Society. This building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
- Brown County Ag Museum
301 E. Iowa Street, West of Davis Memorial
It resembles a 1900 farmstead with a paved windmill trail for sightseers and joggers to use and enjoy. There is a log cabin replica that is the office, wash house, barn, brooder house, corn crib, cabinet shop, horse drawn implement building, antique tractor building and many windmills and wind chargers.
Leisure
- Baseball and softball parks
- Bruning Park, located in west Hiawatha has 3 main fields; 2 for baseball, 1 for softball. Other fields are available, but are not managed. Bruning Park also has a concession stand and a small playground. The park is also home to soccer.
- Noble Park is a recent addition in Hiawatha that lies just south of the aquatic park. Deemed as one of the most premier Legion fields in the state, Hiawatha has been host to Zone and State Legion baseball tournaments. This is American Legion Post #66's home field. The park has a concession stand, batting cage, and playground. Every year the Leo Tritsch Memorial Tournament is held at Noble Park.
- The Hiawatha Middle School softball field is home to Hiawatha High School softball practices and some games. The field lies between the middle school and the Fisher Community Center.
Government
The city is governed by a 5-member commission.
- Mayor: Crosby Gernon
- City Administrator: Lynne Ladner
Education
Hiawatha High School
Hiawatha High School (HHS) teaches grades 9-12. It's at 600 Red Hawk Drive. Their mascot is the Red Hawks (changed from Redskins after 2000), and the school colors are red and blue.
HHS is an accredited Class 4A school known for its proficient learning and great academic environment. The campus lies on the far east side of Hiawatha. The architecture is in rather circular form, with a domed circular gym nicknamed "The Roundhouse." The classrooms are connected in "pods."
HHS has an extended business department and has (relatively) current technology. Hiawatha has one of the largest bands around, which travels to a music festival every three or four years. Previous trips have been Orlando, Florida and San Antonio, Texas. HHS has a talented vocal music program.
"West Campus" is a separate set of buildings for agricultural and industrial arts classes. Memorial Stadium lies just north of the school and a prairie trail area and practice field is east of the main school.
In athletics, Hiawatha has won two girls' basketball State championships in 1978 and 1979 and a State football championship in 1980. The Hiawatha Red Hawks are a member of the Big 7 League, with a total of eight teams in northeast Kansas. Athletics include football, volleyball, boys' and girls' cross country running, boys' and girls' basketball, wrestling, boys' and girls' track and field, boys' and girl's tennis, softball, boys' golf, and Scholar's Bowl.
Other activities and organizations include Cheerleading, Color Guard, Dance Team, Journalism, Yearbook, Gifted-Talented Program, National Honor Society, Red Hawk Club, Kansas Association for Youth, International Club, Student Council, Red Hawk Reader's Club, Biology Club (travels to the Bahamas annually), National FFA Organization, Business Professionals of America, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The school has a new greenhouse at West Campus and a newly expanded weightroom. Also, more SmartBoards will be added the classrooms. Hiawatha High School gives away the most scholarships around to graduating seniors.
Hiawatha Middle School
- Grades 5-8
- Located at 307 S. Morrill Avenue
- Mascot: Hawks (changed from Warriors after 2000)
- Colors: Red & Blue (changed from Burgundy & White after 2008)
HMS is a recently erected school in 2000 after moving from Robinson Middle School in Robinson, Kansas. The school lies on the east side of Hiawatha, just south of the high school. The school is divided into 4 sections, by grade level. HMS has an advanced Life Skills technology classroom and a modern gym. There is a Gifted-Talented program along with Title Math and Reading. There is a softball field to the south of the school and a practice field and track west of the school. The Hiawatha Hawks are a member of the Big 7 League, with a total of six teams in northeast Kansas. Athletics include football, volleyball, wrestling, boys' and girls' basketball, and track and field. Scholars' Bowl and gymnastics are also available.
Hiawatha Elementary School
- Grades K-4
- Located at 600 Miami Street
- Mascot: Junior Hawks (Changed from Braves after 2000)
HES is located in north central Hiawatha and has been for many years. The school starts kids out in Kindergarten and graduates them after 4th grade. The school is divided into halls for each grade level. HES has many school programs including Title Reading, Speech, Gifted-Talented, and Extended Learning. The playground is modern with new fitness equipment for children.
Mascot
In December 2000, the Hiawatha USD 415 School District voted 4-3 to eliminate the American Indian mascots from the schools. The high school had the nickname 'Redskins', similar to 'Indians' when the school was in its early years. The middle school was the 'Warriors' and the elementary school, the 'Braves'.
The District received much praise for its transition, including the National Congress of American Indians and organizations as far away as Washington, D.C. After narrowing down many potential new nicknames, the high school decided to retain its red pride, renaming itself the 'Red Hawks'. The middle school obtained the name 'Hawks' and the elementary school, 'Junior Hawks'. Hiawatha avoided potential lawsuits and controversy by making a quick move to a nickname from which racism cannot be inferred.
Communications
- KNZA - FM station with a country music radio format
- Hiawatha World - bi-weekly newspaper, the official newspaper of Brown County, KS
- Penny Press - newspaper classifieds publication
Notable people
- Bion Barnett - banker
- Al Buell - Pinup artist
- Bill Martin, Jr. - Children's book author
- Homer A. McCrerey - Commissioned US Naval Academy officer and bioengineering oceanographer
- John McLendon - Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979
References
- ^ a b "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Goodtracks, Jimm (1992) Baxoje-Jiwere-Nyut'aji - Ma'unke: Iowa-Otoe-Missouria Language to English. Boulder, CO: Center for the Study of the Languages of the Plains and Southwest.
- ^ Kansas Place-Names, John Rydjord, University of Oklahoma Press, 1972, p. 436 ISBN 978-0-8061-0994-7
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.[dead link]
- ^ Davis Memorial, Blue Skyways, 1999-01-21. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
Further reading
- History of the State of Kansas; William G. Cutler; A.T. Andreas Publisher; 1883. (Online HTML eBook)
- Kansas : A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc; 3 Volumes; Frank W. Blackmar; Standard Publishing Co; 944 / 955 / 824 pages; 1912. (Volume1 - Download 54MB PDF eBook),(Volume2 - Download 53MB PDF eBook), (Volume3 - Download 33MB PDF eBook)
External links
Municipalities and communities of Brown County, Kansas County seat: HiawathaCities 
Townships Unincorporated
communitiesBaker | Mercier | Padonia
Indian reservations Ioway Reservation‡ | Kickapoo Indian Reservation of Kansas‡ | Sac and Fox Reservation‡
Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Categories:- Cities in Kansas
- County seats in Kansas
- Populated places in Brown County, Kansas
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