Peabody, Kansas
Peabody is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. It is named after F.H. Peabody, of Boston, former vice-president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Peabody is well known in the region for its Independence Day Celebration on July 4, and its historic 1880's downtown main street. The population was 1,384 at the 2000 census.
19th century
The first settler in the area was W.C. Coble, from North Carolina, who set up ranch headquarters a few miles east of Peabody in 1864.The first settlement made in the Peabody area was September 1870, the pioneers coming in advance of the railroad, and living several weeks in tents. A colony from Wisconsin filed in February 1871, a plat of a town named Coneburg, named after John Cone the president of the town company. In June 1871, the town of Peabody was platted, south of Coneburg, to include where the railroad was built in the same month. In April 1872, Coneburg practically became North Peabody. A revised plat of Peabody was made in July 1875 and a supplemental plat of North Peabody was made in April 1878. The organization of the town as a city took place in 1879. The town of Peabody was named in 1871 after F.H. Peabody, of Boston, formerly vice-president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway company. In May 1874, Mr. Peabody visited the new town, at which time he announced he would donate money for a library building, furniture, books, periodicals and landscaping if the Peabody township would secure four town lots for the site. The contract for construction was awarded in spring of 1875 and was opened to the public in June 1875, and the following February 1876 the state legislature authorized the township to levy a tax to support the library. The structure housed the library facilities until 1914 when a new Carnegie library was constructed on the old location. In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a line east-west through Peabody. In 1996, it merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the 'Santa Fe'. The first depot was built south of the tracks, then later a train wreck destroyed it, so a second depot was built on the north side of the tracks. In 1873, three west-bound trains (9:05AM, 1:00PM, 8:30PM) and three east-bound trains (4:42AM, 6:50PM, 8:30PM) stopped at the Peabody depot. Rail service was still very strong five decades later. In 1925, three west-bound and four east-bound trains made stops at Peabody. The second depot was demolished in the 1970's after passenger transportation ended, then its land was converted into the Santa Fe Park, which is located at the south end of Walnut street.In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway Company built a line north-south through Peabody. It was renamed in 1891 to Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway which shutdown in 1980, renamed in 1980 to Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 to Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 to the current Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the 'Rock Island'. Its depot was demolished in the early 1960's.In 1875, Peabody held its first agricultural 'county fair' and continued to hold them annually for many years. In September 1885, the Kansas State Fair was held at Peabody during the first four days of the month. An outstanding feature of the state fair was 'the First Monument to General Grant', who passed away shortly before the fair. The temporary monument was an obelisk about 40 feet (12 m) tall, and built from fourty bushels of ears of corn. The fair had a grandstand, which could hold 2000 people, to view horse races. The race track was used for a variety of events, including horse walking teams in harness, trotting, running, pacing, mule racing, and daily chariot races. A dining hall was built that was capable of feeding 10,000 people each day. In 1900, the Marion County Agricultural Society sold the fair grounds to the city, which renamed it the Peabody City Park, and its entrance is located at the corner of Locust and 2nd street. Peabody was the home of famous race horses. Three of the more famous horses were world champions. Joe Young (known as the 'iron horse') sold for $10,000 by C.E. Westbrook, the first horse west of the Mississippi River to sell for such a high price. Joe Young sired Joe Patchen in 1889, who earned his owner $40,000 in race purses and then was sold for $44,000. Joe Patchen sired Dan Patch in 1896, a horse that sold in 1907 for $60,000. Other famous local racing horses included trotters McKinney, and Silver Sign. Silverthorne toured Austria where he competed for three years against the best race horses in Europe.
20th century
Peabody became an important supply point for one of the state's cattle feeding districts. By 1911, approximately 20,000 head of cattle were imported from other states and fed within 20 miles of Peabody at 50 farms. Because of this cattle industry, local farmers grew more corn, alfalfa, and other feed crops during the 1900's and 1910's.Peabody experienced an oil boom from 1918 to 1920. The influence of the petroleum industry remained strong in Peabody, and resulted in the greatest change upon the community in the shortest time. More than 100 residences were constructed in October and November 1919. From 1918 to 1919, the population increased by 75% or more, but later decreased as oil booms in other Kansas areas needed the workers.In 1943, German and Italian prisoners of World War II were brought to Kansas and other midwest states as a means of solving the labor shortage caused by American men serving in the war effort. Large internment camps were established in Kansas at Camp Concordia, Camp Funston (at Fort Riley), and Camp Phillips (at Salina under Fort Riley). Fort Riley established 12 smaller branch camps, including Peabody and El Dorado. Up to 150 prisoners were quartered at the Peabody branch camp. Farmers were to have first priority over other industries in requesting prisoner labor. County agents were responsible for processing the application of local residents seeking the use of the prisoners who were to be available only as group laborers. No fewer than four prisoners could be assigned to any farm, and one guard accompanied each group. The prisoners were not allowed to operate powered farm equipment. The farmer collected the workers at the camp and returned them at the end of the day. The Peabody branch camp was located in the Eyestone building, now occupied by Heckendorn Equipment Company, and located at 122 West 2nd street. The prisoner yard was located in the north-east corner of the property and still exists as a storage area. The camp was closed in December 1945, after Germany surrendered.The community gradually increased in size as a commuter town to support aircraft industries in Wichita during World War II and Soviet Union Cold War years. Over time, the aircraft industry worker requirement has shrank, thus has their influence on numerous commuter towns. Another gradual impact on the community has been the decrease in the size of farm families. Over time as farm equipment has increased in size, so has it decreased the number of family farms in the area, because fewer people are required to farm larger amounts of land. Fewer farms families has led to a gradual decrease in children at local schools.The community has always had great pride in celebrating and promoting its past. Three centennials, Kansas centennial in 1961, Peabody centennial in 1971, United States Bicentennial in 1976, caused surges of historic pride, which eventually led to the creation of the Peabody Main Street Association (PMSA) and Peabody Community Foundation (PCF). The Peabody Main Street Association has won numerous awards since it was founded, and received 5 state awards in 2010.
Geography
Peabody is located at 38°10′8″N 97°6′26″W / 38.16889°N 97.10722°W / 38.16889; -97.10722 (38.168793, -97.107171) near the western edge of the Flint Hills in the Great Plains. Peabody is approximately 15 mi (24 km) north-east of Newton, 42 mi (68 km) north of Wichita, 164 mi (264 km) south-west of Kansas City. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.2 km²), all of it land except Doyle Creek and Spring Creek.
Climate
On average in Peabody, January is the coolest month with an average low of 19 °F (-7 °C), July is the warmest month with an average high of 92 °F (33 °C), and May is the wettest month with an average precipitation of 4.64 in. The hottest temperature recorded in Peabody was 115 °F (43 °C) in 1954; the coldest temperature recorded was -22 °F (-31 °C) in 1989.
Area events
July 4th Celebration,In 2011, its 90th year,fireworkswill be in the historical Peabody City Park. The fireworks are infamous for the ending display called theBattle of New Orleans, which explodes over 1 Million individual items.In 1960's and 1970's, up to 30,000 or more people attended the event, including aCarnivalof rides.
Memorial Weekend CelebrationOperation Celebration : The 1940s. A three-day tribute to the men and women who served in the United States military.
Sleepy Creek Concert Series, one concert is played in the Santa Fe Park each month in the late summer.
Doyle Valley Farmers Marketis held in the Santa Fe Park, every Saturday 8AM to Noon, Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Area attractions
Peabody has five listings on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).1880's Main Street Historic District.The Downtown Business District of Peabody boasts of 42 contributing buildings in the district. The significant period for the district began in 1874 with the construction of the first free public library and ended in 1922 with the decline in oil production. Peabody is the 2nd community in the State of Kansas to have its entire downtown district on the National Register of Historic Places.1884 J.S. Schroeder Building,111 North Walnut. This first floor has been many types of businesses, but most older locals remember it as the McMillen grocery store. For the past couple of decades, the first floor has been occupied by the Mayesville Mercantile.
1914 Peabody Township Carnegie Library,214 North Walnut St.
191x Eyestone building, previously a POW camp duringWorld War II, 122 W 2nd street, private business.
Peabody Museum Historical Complex. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Thursday to Sunday, 1 to 4PM, otherwise by appointment.Muststart tour at Historical Library Museum.1874 Peabody Historical Library Museum,106 East Division Ave (east of Carnegie Library). After the new Carnegie library was built in 1914, the first library was moved and used for club meetings and stood idle for a number of years. In 1960, while planning for the 1961 Kansas centennial celebration, local citizens organized to move the structure to a lot near its original location. The old library building was converted and dedicated as a museum on July 3, 1961.
1881 W.H. Morgan House,212 North Walnut St. A two-storyQueen AnneCottage built by W.H. Morgan, first editor of the Peabody Gazette newspaper.
1904 W.H. Morgan Barn, east of House. Will contain larger items that can't fit in the museum. Not open to public yet.
Peabody Printing Museum,210 North Walnut St. The Peabody Printing Museum has a collection of hot type equipment dating from 1870 to 1920.
1974 Mennonite Centennial Memorial Monument, south-east corner of Walnut and 1st street in the Santa Fe Park.
1881 Fair Floral Exhibition Hall,west of football field in Peabody City Park. It has unique octagon walls, and the only remaing fair building. Not open to public.
1927 Indian Guide Monument,several miles east nearU.S. Route 50. Can be seen on bluff over-looking south side of highway. Not open to public.
1887 T.B. Townsend Barn, several miles east nearU.S. Route 50. It is a three-story, 80 feet by 140 feet, limestone barn, and can easily be seen on the north side of the highway. Not open to public.
Films
Small Town, USA, 2011, a feature documentary,currently in pre-production,examines the challenges faced by communities, employers and individuals as they strive to develop cultural and economic models that will ensure survival.IMG Picturesfilmed in many small towns in rural Kansas, including Peabody.The Peabody downtown is being used for the promotional picture.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,384 people, 531 households, and 346 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,124.7 people per square mile (434.4/km²). There were 602 housing units at an average density of 489.2/sq mi (189.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.81% White, 1.52% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.36% from other races, and 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.82% of the population.There were 531 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.01.In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.The median income for a household in the city was $29,792, and the median income for a family was $37,250. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $19,028 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,493. About 6.3% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The Peabody government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 2nd and last Monday of each month at 7PM.City Hall, 300 North Walnut St.
Fire Department, 103 North Sycamore St.
Police Department and City Shop, 107 East 9th St.
U.S. Post Office, 105 West 2nd St.
The city of Peabody is offering free lots to anyone that will build a house on them.
Primary and secondary education
Peabody is part of Unified School District 398. The district has two schools:Peabody-Burns Junior/Senior High School, 810 North Sycamore St,Grades7–12.
Peabody-Burns Elementary School, 506 North Elm St,GradesK–6.
Academics
The high school band is well-known in competitions, and especially popular in regional parades.[citation needed] The high school is a member of T.E.E.N., a shared video teaching network, started in 1993, between five area high schools.
Sports
The Peabody-Burns High School mascot is the Warrior. All high school athletic and non-athletic competition is overseen by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. For the 2010/2011 seasons, the football team competes as Class 8 Man - Division I in the Wheat State League.Championships1977, 2nd Place, Class 2A, High School Boys Football, Head CoachDennis Franchione.
1963, 1st Place, Class B, High School Boys Basketball.
History
The first school in Peabody was organized in 1871. The first school building, two stone rooms, was built in 1872. The first high school classes were taught in 1879, and the first graduation class in 1881 consisted of 2 students. In 1923, a high school was built at 900 North Walnut Street. In 1946-1947, the School Reorganization Act consolidated many one-room rural schools into the Peabody school district. In 1953, the Brown Building was built to house a larger gymnasium, band / lunch room, and vocational agriculture rooms. In 1965, the Burns and Summit school districts were unified with Peabody to form Unified School District 398. In 1996-1997, the current high school was attached south of the Brown Building at 810 North Sycamore Street, then former 1923 high school across the street was demolished.
Library
Peabody Township Library, 214 N Walnut St, established 1874, aCarnegie librarysince 1914, was the first free tax-supported library in Kansas.
Transportation
U.S. Route 50 and two railroads (BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad) pass through the city. U.S. Route 50 follows the New Santa Fe Trail which roughly parallels the BNSF Railway east-west. The Oklahoma Kansas Texas (OKT) line of the Union Pacific Railroad runs north-south through the city.
Notable people
James Henry Clay Brewer, (1838-1927),Kansas House of Representatives, Captain inUnion Army, Peabody merchant
Edgar F. Davison, (1857-19xx),Kansas House of Representatives, Banker
Rebecca L. Ediger, (born 1952),United States Secret Serviceagent
Dennis Franchione, (born 1951),College footballcoach
J.G. Johnson, (18xx-19xx), Peabody Postmaster, Campaign Committee forWilliam Jennings Bryanduring 1896 Election, Kansas Delegate for Democratic National Committee in 1896 / 1900, various Democratic Committees for 1900 / 1904 / 1908 elections.
Orlando Jolliffe, (1859-1946),Kansas House of Representatives, Peabody banker
Alfred R. Kent, (1874-1947),Kansas House of Representatives
F.H. Kollock, (18xx-1xxx),Kansas House of Representatives
Willard J. Madsen, (born 19xx), University Professor,Sign LanguageExpert, Poet, author of twosign languagetext books.
Fred Eugene Pettit, (1861-19xx),Kansas House of Representatives, Peabody merchant
Bertine Pinckney, (1824-1xxx),Kansas House of Representatives,Wisconsin State Assembly,Wisconsin Senate, Colonel inUnion Army, Farmer, Peabody Postmaster
T.M. Potter, (1840-1929),Kansas House of Representatives, Infantry ofUnion Army, Rancher, organized Peabody town company in 1874
Frederic Remington, (1861-1909),American Old Westartist
Lawrence David 'LD' Slocombe, (1905-1972),Kansas House of Representatives, Rancher, Farmer, Businessman
Oscar S. Stauffer, (1886-1982), founder ofStauffer Communications, editor of Peabody Gazette newspaper.
William W. Waring, (1823-1907),Kansas House of Representatives
Famous visitors
William Jennings Bryan, politician and speaker, gave speeches in Peabody on multiple occasions while Democratic candidate for President of the United States in 1896, 1900, 1908 because his friend and advisor J.G. Johnson lived in Peabody.
Theodore Roosevelt,26thPresident of the United Statesgave a campaign speech from his train, prior to the 1904 election.
William Howard Taft,27thPresident of the United Statesgave a campaign speech from his train, prior to the 1908 election.
