Doniphan County, Kansas
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| Missing image Map_of_Kansas_highlighting_Doniphan_County.png Image:Map of Kansas highlighting Doniphan County.png Other Kansas Counties | |
| County seat | Troy |
| Largest city | Wathena |
| Area —Total —Land —Water —% water | 397 mi²; 1,028 km² 392 mi²; 1,016 km² 5 mi²; 13 km² 1.23% |
| Population —Total (2000) —Density | 8,249 21/mi²; 8/km² |
| Established | August 25, 1855 |
| Time zone | Central : UTC-6/-5 |
Doniphan County (standard abbreviation: DP) is a county in the State of Kansas, located in the northeastern corner of the state. It is bordered by Nebraska to the north and Missouri to the east. As of 2000, the population is 8,249. The county seat is Troy.
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History
Doniphan County was established August 25, 1855 and organized on September 18, 1855. It is named for the U.S. cavalry commander Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan (1808-1887) of Liberty, Missouri, who played an important part in the Mexican-American War. He was a zealous partisan in the effort made to extend slavery into Kansas.
See also: Doniphan County history (http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/doniphan/doniphan-co-p1.html#TOC) reprinted from William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas (Chicago: A.T. Andreas, 1883).
Law and government
The county is served by a Board of County Commissioners composed of one elected official from each of three districts. The commissioners serve four-year terms with the 2nd and 3rd district elections following two years after the 1st district election. The Board is responsible for setting the county's policies, procedures, and budgets as well as overseeing functions of their respective Road and Bridge Shops. The Board also acts as the Board of County Canvassers and canvass votes cast at each election. The county has adopted comprehensive county planning and zoning codes. The cities are governed by mayors and city councils. Government services are paid for through a sales tax, property tax, and ad valorem tax mill levy.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,028 km² (397 mi²). 1,016 km² (392 mi²) of it is land and 13 km² (5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.23% water.
Geographic features
The Missouri River defines the border in the north and east. Eight barge lines travel the river, and a Port Authority is located across the river in St. Joseph, Missouri. The river provides much of the water for the eastern part of the county. Interior cities, such as Troy and Highland, receive their water from underground wells. The Wolf River flows through western portions of the county and north into the Missouri River.
Major highways
The only major highway serving the county is U.S. Highway 36, an east/west route traveling through St. Joseph. Troy, Elwood, and Wathena lie along this route. Kansas state highways K-7, K-20, K-120, K-137, and K-238 serve other areas of the county. K-7 has been designated a scenic byway. (See the map below.)
Adjacent counties
- Holt County, Missouri (north)
- Andrew County, Missouri (northeast)
- Buchanan County, Missouri (southeast)
- Atchison County, Kansas (southwest)
- Brown County, Kansas (west)
- Richardson County, Nebraska (northwest)
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there are 8,249 people, 3,173 households, and 2,183 families residing in the county. The population density is 8/km² (21/mi²). There are 3,489 housing units at an average density of 3/km² (9/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 94.85% White, 2.00% Black or African American, 1.21% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 1.16% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,173 households out of which 32.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% are married couples living together, 8.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% are non-families. 27.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.20% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 3.03.
In the county the population is spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 11.80% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $32,537, and the median income for a family is $39,357. Males have a median income of $28,096 versus $19,721 for females. The per capita income for the county is $14,849. 11.90% of the population and 9.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.30% of those under the age of 18 and 12.50% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
See also: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/20/20043.html)
Cities and towns
Map_of_Doniphan_County,_Kan.png
Unincorporated communities
- Bendena
- Blair
- Brenner
- Doniphan
- Fanning
- Iowa Point
- Moray
- Palermo
- Purcell
- Sparks
See also: List of cities in Kansas; List of extinct towns and post offices (http://www.cc.ukans.edu/heritage/werner/gostdpco.html)
Townships
- Burr Oak Township
- Center Township
- Independence Township
- Iowa Township
- Marion Township
- Union Township
- Washington Township
- Wayne Township
- Wolf River Township
Education
Unified school districts
- Wathena USD 406 (web (http://www.wathena406.k12.ks.us/district/406district_page_enter.html))
- Highland USD 425 (web (http://www.skyways.org/schools/usd425/))
- Troy USD 429 (web (http://www.usd429.k12.ks.us/))
- Midway USD 433
- Elwood USD 486 (web (http://www.elwood486.k12.ks.us/USD486/486chad/486homepage.htm))
Colleges and universities
- Highland Community College
- This was the first college established in the state when the Highland University charter was granted by the Territorial Legislature in 1858. Over time the college lost its affiliation with the Presbyterian Church and changed its name several times before becoming a regional rural community college. (web (http://www.highlandcc.edu/))
Points of interest
- Native American Heritage Museum, 2 miles east of Highland
- Originally a Presbyterian Mission built in 1845 to educate Iowa and Missouri Sac and Fox children, the museum was rehabilitated to showcase the arts and history of the emigrant tribes in northeastern Kansas. (web (http://www.kshs.org/places/nativeamerican/index.htm))
- Nelson Rodgers House, in Troy
- Built in 1856, this one-and-a-half story center-gable house constructed of hand-hewn timbers is the first and oldest remaining house in Troy.
- Four-state Lookout, in White Cloud
- This viewing platform provides a panoramic view of the Missouri River valley, including Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and (possibly) Iowa.
- Townsite of Old Doniphan
- On July 4, 1804 the Lewis and Clark expedition camped near an uninhabited Kanza Indian village on Independence Creek. The former town of Doniphan was established in the vicinity of the campsite.
External links
- Doniphan County official web site (http://www.dpcountyks.com/)
- General county information
- Kansas State Historical Society (http://www.kshs.org/genealogists/places/counties.php?county=DP)
- Blue Skyways (http://skyways.lib.ks.us/counties/DP/), a service of the Kansas State Library
- National Association of Counties (http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/county.cfm&id=20043)
- The Political Graveyard (http://www.politicalgraveyard.com/geo/KS/DN.html)
- Additional information
- Lewis & Clark in Kansas: Doniphan County Attractions (http://www.lewisandclarkinkansas.com/donattract.html)
- Doniphan County 1882 Historical Plat Book (http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~pyle/DoniphanPlat1882.html)
