Baxter Springs is a city situated along the Spring River in the extreme southeastern part of Cherokee County, located in southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. The population was 4,602 at the 2000 census, and it was estimated to be 4,221 in the year 2006.[4] It is the most populous city of Cherokee County.
In the 19th century, the town developed as one of the first "cow towns" in Kansas, where thousands of head of cattle were driven to market.
Baxter Springs is the south-west end of the section of U.S. Route 66 that passes through Kansas.
History
Expansion of cattle ranching led to the growth of Baxter Springs as the first cow town in Kansas. Around 1868 there was a great demand for beef in the North. Texas cattlemen and stock raisers drove large herds of cattle from the southern plains, and used Baxter Springs as a way point to the northern markets. The town organized the Stockyards and Drovers Association to buy and sell cattle. They constructed corrals for up to 20,000 head of cattle, supplied with ample grazing lands and fresh water. Texas cattle trade stimulated the economy and Baxter Springs grew rapidly.
When Texas established railroads later in the century, cattlemen did not need Baxter Springs, and the town had to struggle to find a new economy.
Geography
Baxter Springs is located at 37°1′23″N 94°44′5″W / 37.02306°N 94.73472°W / 37.02306; -94.73472 (37.023062, -94.734762).[5] The city is situated along the western bank of the Spring River at the edge of the Ozarks. It is at the junction of U.S. Route 69 Alternate and U.S. Route 166, and U.S. Route 400 bypasses the city to the northeast. The center of town is less than two miles (3 km) from the Kansas-Oklahoma state border though the incorporated area of the city extends to the border. It is also about 13 miles (21 km) west-southwest of Joplin, Missouri.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²), of which 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km2). (8.1 km²) is land and 0.1 sq mi (0.26 km2). (0.2 km²), or 2.48%, is water.[2]
Demographics
Baxter Springs's population was estimated to be 4,221 in the year 2006, a decrease of 363, or -7.9%, over the previous six years.[4]
As of the census of 2000,[2] there were 4,602 people, 1,860 households, and 1,246 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,469.1 people per square mile (567.7/km²). There were 2,106 housing units at an average density of 672.3/sq mi (259.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.03% White, 0.98% Black or African American, 5.04% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 5.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.
There were 1,860 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,876, and the median income for a family was $33,933. Males had a median income of $27,005 versus $19,038 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,789. About 9.3% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.
Notable natives
Gallery
Photo of the sign for the Route 66 Soda Fountain.
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Downtown Baxter Springs looking west.
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Mural on the wall on the side of the Cafe on the Route aka the Little Brick Inn.
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See also
Information on this and other cities in Kansas
Other information for Kansas
References
External links
