Ottawa(pronounced/ˈɒtəwɑː/) is a city in, and thecounty seatof,Franklin County,Kansas,United States.[1]It is located on both banks of theMarais des Cygnes Rivernear the center of Franklin County. As of the2020 census,the population of the city was 12,625.[5][6]It is the home ofOttawa University.
Ottawa, Kansas | |
|---|---|
 Ottawa Historic District (2018) | |
 Location withinFranklin CountyandKansas | |
 | |
| Coordinates:38°37′22″N95°14′07″W/ 38.62278°N 95.23528°W[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Franklin |
| Founded | 1865 |
| Incorporated | 1866 |
| Named for | Ottawa Tribe |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| •Mayor | Eric Crowley[2] |
| • City Manager | Richard Nienstedt[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.40 sq mi (26.94 km2) |
| • Land | 10.31 sq mi (26.72 km2) |
| • Water | 0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2) 1.06% |
| Elevation | 925 ft (282 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 12,625 |
| • Density | 1,200/sq mi (470/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6(CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5(CDT) |
| ZIP code | 66067 |
| Area code | 785 |
| FIPS code | 20-53550 |
| GNIS ID | 485638[1] |
| Website | ottawaks.gov |
History
edit
19th century
editThe name derives from theOttawa tribe of Native Americans,on whose reservation the city was laid out. In the spring of 1864, title to the land was obtained from the tribe through treaty connected to the founding ofOttawa University,the Ottawa having donated 20,000 acres of land to establish and fund a school for the education of Indians and non-Indians alike. The word Ottawa itself means "to trade". In 1867, the Ottawa tribe sold their remaining land in Kansas and moved to Indian Territory in Oklahoma.[7][8]
On the last day of March 1864, J.C. Richmond built the first non-Indian settlement in the new town, at the corner of Walnut and First streets.[9][10]
Flooding
editOttawa has a history offloodingbecause of its location straddling the Marais Des Cygnes river. The area's first recorded flood was theGreat Flood of 1844.In 1928, a flood crested at 38.65 feet and killed six people. Other flood years include 1904, when water crested at 36 feet and ran to a man's shoulders in the Santa Fe depot;[11]1909, cresting at 36.3 feet (11.1 m); 1915, cresting at 31 feet (9.4 m), and 1944, cresting at 36.5 feet (11.1 m).[citation needed]
However, it is theGreat Flood of 1951which is the most famous. It was about five inches higher than the 1928 flood. The flood of 1951 affected much of Missouri and Kansas and 41 people died. One-third of Ottawa was covered because of this flood.[12]
It is unlikely Ottawa will suffer major damage due to a flood again thanks to a series of levees and pumping stations built by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineersin the 1960s, which is part of a larger system of flood systems to regulate the Marais Des Cygnes River to theMissouri River.The levees built along the river are inspected on an annual basis to insure their quality.[citation needed]
20th century
editIn 1943, German and Italian prisoners ofWorld War IIwere brought to Kansas and other Midwest states to help solve the labor shortage caused by American men serving in the war. Largeinternmentcamps were established in Kansas:Camp Concordia,Camp Funston (atFort Riley), Camp Phillips (atSalinaunderFort Riley).Fort Rileyestablished 12 smaller branch camps, including Ottawa.[13][14]
Geography
editOttawa straddles theMarais des Cygnes Riverand is located 58 miles (93 km) southwest ofKansas Cityat the junction ofU.S. Route 59andK-68.U.S. Route 50andInterstate 35bypass Ottawa to the south and east, whilebusinessUS-50 passes through the city.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has a total area of 9.42 square miles (24.40 km2), of which 9.32 square miles (24.14 km2) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km2) is water.[15]
Climate
editThe maximum temperature reaches 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 46.6 days per year and reaches 100 °F (38 °C) an average of 4.9 days per year. The minimum temperature falls below the freezing point (32 °F) an average of 111 days per year.[16]
| Climate data for Ottawa, Kansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 76 (24) |
84 (29) |
93 (34) |
96 (36) |
101 (38) |
108 (42) |
118 (48) |
113 (45) |
111 (44) |
98 (37) |
86 (30) |
75 (24) |
118 (48) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 64.2 (17.9) |
69.9 (21.1) |
78.2 (25.7) |
84.2 (29.0) |
89.5 (31.9) |
93.9 (34.4) |
99.1 (37.3) |
99.0 (37.2) |
93.9 (34.4) |
86.3 (30.2) |
74.2 (23.4) |
65.3 (18.5) |
100.7 (38.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39.9 (4.4) |
45.5 (7.5) |
56.0 (13.3) |
65.9 (18.8) |
75.2 (24.0) |
84.4 (29.1) |
89.3 (31.8) |
88.2 (31.2) |
80.3 (26.8) |
68.7 (20.4) |
54.8 (12.7) |
43.4 (6.3) |
66.0 (18.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 29.0 (−1.7) |
33.8 (1.0) |
43.7 (6.5) |
53.7 (12.1) |
64.3 (17.9) |
73.8 (23.2) |
78.4 (25.8) |
76.6 (24.8) |
68.2 (20.1) |
56.3 (13.5) |
43.2 (6.2) |
32.9 (0.5) |
54.5 (12.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.2 (−7.7) |
22.0 (−5.6) |
31.5 (−0.3) |
41.6 (5.3) |
53.3 (11.8) |
63.2 (17.3) |
67.6 (19.8) |
65.0 (18.3) |
56.0 (13.3) |
43.8 (6.6) |
31.7 (−0.2) |
22.4 (−5.3) |
43.0 (6.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −0.2 (−17.9) |
5.9 (−14.5) |
15.4 (−9.2) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
38.5 (3.6) |
51.9 (11.1) |
58.2 (14.6) |
55.3 (12.9) |
41.0 (5.0) |
28.2 (−2.1) |
17.6 (−8.0) |
6.1 (−14.4) |
−4.3 (−20.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −20 (−29) |
−28 (−33) |
−9 (−23) |
11 (−12) |
21 (−6) |
40 (4) |
47 (8) |
42 (6) |
27 (−3) |
16 (−9) |
1 (−17) |
−22 (−30) |
−28 (−33) |
| Averageprecipitationinches (mm) | 1.22 (31) |
1.57 (40) |
2.29 (58) |
3.79 (96) |
5.82 (148) |
5.55 (141) |
3.75 (95) |
4.63 (118) |
4.05 (103) |
3.08 (78) |
2.39 (61) |
1.71 (43) |
39.85 (1,012) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 3.2 (8.1) |
2.1 (5.3) |
0.7 (1.8) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.5 (1.3) |
2.6 (6.6) |
9.2 (23) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 6.5 | 6.4 | 8.1 | 10.2 | 12.6 | 10.3 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 8.2 | 8.7 | 6.5 | 6.2 | 101.8 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 7.6 |
| Source:NOAA[17][16] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 2,941 | — | |
| 1880 | 4,032 | 37.1% | |
| 1890 | 6,248 | 55.0% | |
| 1900 | 6,934 | 11.0% | |
| 1910 | 7,650 | 10.3% | |
| 1920 | 9,018 | 17.9% | |
| 1930 | 9,563 | 6.0% | |
| 1940 | 10,193 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 10,081 | −1.1% | |
| 1960 | 10,673 | 5.9% | |
| 1970 | 11,036 | 3.4% | |
| 1980 | 11,016 | −0.2% | |
| 1990 | 10,667 | −3.2% | |
| 2000 | 11,921 | 11.8% | |
| 2010 | 12,649 | 6.1% | |
| 2020 | 12,625 | −0.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020[6] | |||
2020 census
editThe2020 United States censuscounted 12,625 people, 5,095 households, and 3,095 families in Ottawa.[18][19]The population density was 1,223.2 per square mile (472.3/km2). There were 5,558 housing units at an average density of 538.5 per square mile (207.9/km2).[19][20]The racial makeup was 86.53% (10,924)whiteorEuropean American(84.67%non-Hispanic white), 2.0% (252)blackorAfrican-American,1.01% (127)Native AmericanorAlaska Native,0.42% (53)Asian,0.05% (6)Pacific IslanderorNative Hawaiian,2.24% (283) fromother races,and 7.76% (980) fromtwo or more races.[21]HispanicorLatinoof any race was 6.03% (761) of the population.[22]
Of the 5,095 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18; 41.8% were married couples living together; 29.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.6% of households consisted of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19]The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0.[23]The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 14.8% of the population.[24]
23.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.6 males.[19]For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 103.0 males.[19]
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Surveyestimates show that the median household income was $47,233 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,697) and the median family income was $62,633 (+/- $8,998).[25]Males had a median income of $40,405 (+/- $4,108) versus $28,600 (+/- $4,719) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,282 (+/- $2,999).[26]Approximately, 9.5% of families and 14.9% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 18.4% of those under the age of 18 and 18.8% of those ages 65 or over.[27][28]
2010 census
editAs of thecensus[29]of 2010, there were 12,649 people, 4,998 households, and 3,127 families living in the city.[30]Thepopulation densitywas 1,357.2 inhabitants per square mile (524.0/km2). There were 5,518 housing units at an average density of 592.1 per square mile (228.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.0%White,2.2%African American,0.9%Native American,0.4%Asian,1.6% fromother races,and 3.9% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 5.0% of the population.
There were 4,998 households, of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% weremarried couplesliving together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.08.
The median age in the city was 33.2 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
2000 census
editAs of theU.S. Census in 2000,[31]there were 11,921 people, 4,697 households, and 3,034 families living in the city. The population density was 1,781.0 inhabitants per square mile (687.6/km2). There were 5,080 housing units at an average density of 759.0 per square mile (293.1/km2). Theracialmakeup of the city was 92.77%White,2.31%BlackorAfrican American,1.22%Native AmericanorAlaska Native,0.53%Asian,0.01%Pacific Islander,1.31% from other races, and 1.86% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latinoof any race were 4.16% of the population.
There were 4,697 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% weremarried couplesliving together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
Themedian income for a householdin the city was $34,071, and the median income for a family was $41,710. Males had a median income of $30,050 versus $22,891 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $16,840. About 6.8% of families and 9.0% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
editOttawa's two major employers areWalmartandAmerican Eagle Outfitterswho both maintaindistribution centersin the city. Ottawa has freight rail service fromBNSFrailway. There is also agrain elevatoroperated by the Ottawa Co-Op. The city operates theOttawa Municipal Airport,a smallGeneral Aviationairport four miles south of the city.
Government
edit
Ottawa was governed by a Mayor-Council system until 1913 when the City became a Commission form of government. In 1970 voters established the City Manager form of government with a five-member Commission that annually selects a Mayor from its ranks.[2][3]The citizens of Ottawa elect commissioners at-large. Three seats on the Commission are open every odd numbered year. Two Commissioners are elected to four-year terms and one is elected to a two-year term.[32]
Education
edit
Colleges and universities
editThe private four year university,Ottawa University,is within Ottawa, and Ottawa is also home to a branch campus ofNeosho County Community College.
Primary and secondary
editThe community is served byOttawa USD 290public school district, which has five schools:
- Ottawa High School
- Ottawa Middle School
- Garfield Elementary School
- Lincoln Elementary School
- Sunflower Elementary school
Ottawa has several private schools.
- Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School
- Pilgrim Bible Academy
- Ottawa Christian Academy
Media
edit
Newspapers
editThere is one publication which serves the city of Ottawa, theOttawa Herald,which was founded in 1869. It is owned byGateHouse Media.[33] A monthly publication for seniors also serves Ottawa:
Radio
editOttawa has four radio stations, one AM and three FM.KOFObroadcasts on 1220 with the taglineYour News source forEast-Central Kansas.KOFO airs country music from across the decades, and specializes in local news.KCHZ95.7 FM is licensed to Ottawa (and was, at one time, owned by KOFO); its studios are inMission, Kansas.88.9 is home to theOttawa Universitystudent station,KTJO-FM.90.5FM features the Ottawa-based KRBW's Christian programming.
Entertainment
editDowntown Ottawa is home tothe Plaza Grill and Cinema(formerly the Crystal Plaza and Bijou Theater) which, in 2013, was discovered to be the oldest operating cinema in America. Plans for an exhibit are in the works.[34]
Notable people
edit- Steve Grogan,formerNew England Patriotsquarterback, led Ottawa to a runner-up place in state football and to a state championship in basketball.
- Don Harrison,news anchor, one of the original anchors ofCNN Headline News
- Gary Hart,former Democratic U. S. Senator from Colorado and Presidential Candidate in 1984 and 1988
- Steven Hawley,American astronaut (considers Salina as his hometown)
- Isaac Smith Kalloch,signatory of Ottawa's original town company charter, later becameMayor of San Francisco
- Semi Ojeleye,forward for theMilwaukee Bucksselected 37th overall in the 2nd round of the2017 NBA draft,led Ottawa to a state championship in basketball.
- Stanley Sheldon,bassist and vocalist forPeter Frampton,most notably on Frampton'sFrampton Comes Alive!album.
- John G. Thompson,a prominent mathematician.
- Jerry Voorhis,U. S. Representative forCalifornia's 12th congressional districtfrom 1937–1947
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcdU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ottawa, Kansas
- ^ab"City Commission".City of Ottawa.March 25, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2022.
- ^ab"City Manager".City of Ottawa.March 25, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2022.
- ^"2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 24,2020.
- ^ab"Profile of Ottawa, Kansas in 2020".United States Census Bureau.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2022.RetrievedJune 25,2022.
- ^abc"QuickFacts; Ottawa, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010".United States Census Bureau.Archivedfrom the original on August 25, 2021.RetrievedAugust 25,2021.
- ^Dixon, Rhonda."The Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma."ArchivedJuly 4, 2008, at theWayback MachineOttawa Tribe of Oklahoma.(Feb 16, 2009).
- ^Carpenter, Tim (November 28, 1997)."What's in a name? Key elements of area history".Lawrence Journal-World.pp. 3B.RetrievedApril 28,2015.
- ^Cutler, William G. (1883).William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas.A. T. Andreas, Chicago, Illinois. pp. Franklin County, part 5, Ottawa, part 1. Archived fromthe originalon January 16, 2003.
- ^Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912).Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2.Standard Publishing Company. pp.423.
- ^"1904 Flood | Franklin County Kansas History Portal".Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2017.RetrievedMarch 29,2017.
- ^Perry, Charlie Perry, C.A."USGS - Kansas Big Water".ks.water.usgs.gov.
{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^List of Prisoner Of War (POW) Camps in Kansas
- ^"POW Camp Concordia - Concordia, Kansas".
- ^"US Gazetteer files 2010".United States Census Bureau.Archived fromthe originalon July 2, 2012.RetrievedJuly 6,2012.
- ^ab"Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE".data.census.gov.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^abcde"US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS".data.census.gov.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^"Gazetteer Files".Census.gov.RetrievedDecember 30,2023.
- ^"US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE".data.census.gov.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^"US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE".data.census.gov.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^"US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES".data.census.gov.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^"US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT".data.census.gov.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^"US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)".data.census.gov.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^"US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)".data.census.gov.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^"US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS".data.census.gov.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^"US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES".data.census.gov.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 6,2012.
- ^"2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status".U.S. Census Bureau.RetrievedMarch 6,2011.[dead link]
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
- ^"Government | United States".
- ^Staff, The Herald."New owner a 'great fit' for Herald".The Ottawa Herald.RetrievedJanuary 28,2017.
- ^The Plaza Grill and CinemaArchivedFebruary 19, 2014, at theWayback Machine
Further reading
editExternal links
edit
