Girard, Kansas

Girard is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Kansas, United States.<ref name="GNIS"/> As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 2,496.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

File:Girard, Kansas Flag 9-2-2012.JPG

Downtown Girard, 2012

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Girard Press Office (2012)

Girard was founded in the spring of 1868, in opposition to Crawfordsville, and named after the town of Girard, Pennsylvania, the former home of trustee Charles Strong.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It was based around the surveyed line of the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad, in an attempt to gain an advantage over its rival.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The first post office in Girard was established in September 1868.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The first celebration in Girard was held on July 4, 1868, marking Sunday school and Independence Day. Under a law passed in March 1871, Girard became a city of the third class. In early April, the first city officers were elected. The last meeting of the trustees was held April 5, and the first meeting of the new Council was held on April 7.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Banks

Franklin Playter started the first bank in Girard in June 1871. In 1872, he erected for the accommodation of his business a two-story brick building, the first brick building in the city. In June 1879, this bank was succeeded by the Bank of Girard, established by E. R. Moffit. The Bank of Girard was then succeeded in 1882 by the Girard Bank.<ref name=":1" />

Mills

The Girard Mills were built in 1870, and began operations in the spring of 1871. The first building was a Template:Frac-story frame, costing, with the machinery and power, $10,000. The property was owned by Tontz & Hitz. In 1879, Tontz retired from active participation in the management of the business, In 1882 he sold his interest to Hitz, who erected a Template:Frac-story brick mill, put in five run of buhrs, and two sets of Gray's patent rollers, making it a combined mill.<ref name=":1" />

The Crawford County Mills were built in 1870 by a stock company. These mills are two and a half stories high, contain three run of buhrs and one set of rollers, thus being also a combined mill, and the machinery is propelled by a twenty-five horse-power engine.<ref name=":1" />

Mining

Carbon Creek was the location of the first mining camp of the county. No shafts were sunk at first, but several strip pits were opened. From the strip pits, slopes were run along the veins, and coal operations opened on a small scale. By 1877 perhaps one hundred miners were working along Carbon Creek, extracting coal.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In the 1960s, many of the mines closed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Today the landscape of southeastern Crawford County is covered with long strip mines now full of water and serving as fishing lakes and unfarmed wildlife habitat. The ruins of abandoned zinc and lead smelters can also be seen; many are Superfund sites polluted with the toxic remains of smelter operations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The economy that was driven by industrialized mining and smelting during the first half of the 20th century and the early 21st century is dominated by agriculture.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Immigration

With the growth of the mining industry in Crawford County, large numbers of immigrants from Southern Europe and the Balkans were brought in to work in the mines. These immigrants were more often adherents of Catholicism, in contrast to the generally Protestant population previously residing in the county. At the time this created social tension, but today Crawford County celebrates its South European heritage with the annual "Little Balkan Days" event.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

To mine the coal, the city began a concentrated effort to attract coal miners from other areas of the United States and from the coal-producing nations of Europe. Overseas, broadsides were distributed along the Mediterranean, promising prosperity in the coal fields of southeastern Kansas. Steamship companies sent agents throughout Europe to recruit workers, underwriting one-way passage. From 1880 through 1915, huge waves of immigrants came to southeastern Kansas. In all, over fifty nationalities came to mine coal and work in the area's smelters and other industries.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Socialism in Girard

In the first decades of the 20th century, Girard became a hub of socialist politics. Populist Percy Daniels, whose farm was nearby in Crawford Township, briefly owned the Girard Herald and used it to promote his views; he was elected lieutenant governor in 1892. In 1896, Julius Wayland moved to Girard from Kansas City, Missouri, and brought with him his socialist periodical Appeal to Reason.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1900 he employed Fred Warren as his co-editor. Warren was a well-known figure on the left and managed to persuade some of America's leading progressives to contribute to the Appeal to Reason.

In 1904, Warren commissioned Upton Sinclair to write a novel about immigrant workers in the Chicago meat-packing houses. Wayland provided Sinclair with a $500 advance and after seven weeks' research, he wrote the novel, The Jungle. Serialized in 1905, the book helped to increase circulation of the newspaper to 175,000. After the book was published by Doubleday in 1906, the popularity of the Appeal to Reason increased, as did the attacks on Wayland and Warren. The phenomenal success of Wayland's newspaper meant that he developed a printing plant capable of handling a weekly newspaper of huge circulation; on occasion more than 400,000 copies per week were printed. The Appeal to Reason Company issued hundreds of other socialist publications in addition to the Appeal, making the Girard, Kansas name known.<ref>Pittsburg Morning Sun article 29 July 2001 Template:Webarchive</ref>

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Conference of Socialist Women (Girard, 1909)

During the decade of the 1900s, Eugene V. Debs lived in Girard and worked on the Appeal. He was the Social Democratic Party candidate for President of the United States in the election of 1900. He ran for President again on the Socialist Party of America ticket in 1904, 1908, and 1912. Debs received 901,000 votes in the election of 1912 (6% of the vote).<ref>Indiana Historical Society, "Eugene V. Debs Papers 1881–1940 Collection Guide" Template:Webarchive, accessed 2012-10-19.</ref> In 1908, he kicked off his campaign for president from the steps of the Crawford County courthouse in Girard. In 1912 he carried Crawford County (one of four counties he carried nationwide).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

During World War I, Debs was a subject of efforts by President Wilson to suppress dissent against the war. He was convicted of violating the Smith Espionage Act and, in September 1918, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In 1920 he ran for President while still incarcerated in the Atlanta Penitentiary. He received 919,799 votes (3.4% of the vote) despite being imprisoned. President Warren G. Harding pardoned Debs in December 1921.<ref>Eugene Debs Template:Webarchive</ref>

In 1915 Emanuel Julius was invited to move to Girard and write for Appeal to Reason, then the largest socialist periodical in the country.<ref>Emanuel Julius</ref> Julius married Marcet Haldeman in 1916. At the suggestion of Marcet's aunt, Jane Addams of Hull House, both assumed the surname Haldeman-Julius. In 1919, Emanuel became co-owner and editor of Appeal to Reason and began printing the first of the small paperback books in Girard which soon became the foundation for his Little Blue Books series. His vision was to make good literature available to the masses at a cheap price. At the end of nine years, the small project had become a gigantic publishing venture; Emanuel Haldeman-Julius became known as "the Henry Ford of literature".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following World War II, the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover viewed the Little Blue Books' inclusion of such subjects as socialism, atheism, and frank treatment of sexuality as a threat; Haldeman-Julius was added to the enemies list. This caused a rapid decline in the number of bookstores carrying the Little Blue Books.

Emanuel Haldeman-Julius died July 31, 1951, at his home in Girard. He was found drowned in his own swimming pool by his second wife of nine years, Sue Haldeman-Julius. The Little Blue Books continued to be reprinted after Haldeman-Julius' death. They were sold by mail order by his son until 1978, when the Girard printing plant and warehouse were destroyed by fire.

Tornadoes

In May 2003, four people were killed and over a dozen injured by the biggest tornado in Crawford County in recent memory. At least ten people died in southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> The Girard tornado was first rated as an F4, but is a strong candidate for an upgrade to F5 status.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The tornado touched down at 4:40 p.m. near McCune in western Crawford County, cutting a path almost half a mile wide. It traveled by the outskirts of Girard into the small community of Ringo, into Franklin, and then by the outer reaches of Mulberry.<ref name=":0" />

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>

This city is located on a gently undulating prairie at the center of the county. It is regularly laid out and has a public square in the center.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Girard has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>Climate Summary for Girard, Kansas</ref>

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 2,496 people, 1,008 households, and 661 families in Girard.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":2" /> The population density was 1,069.0 per square mile (412.7/kmTemplate:Sup). There were 1,142 housing units at an average density of 489.1 per square mile (188.8/kmTemplate:Sup).<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The racial makeup was 88.94% (2,220) white or European American (88.02% non-Hispanic white), 1.92% (48) black or African-American, 0.96% (24) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.44% (11) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.52% (13) from other races, and 7.21% (180) from two or more races.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.64% (66) of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Of the 1,008 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18; 45.1% were married couples living together; 29.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 29.9% of households consisted of individuals and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=":2" /> The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 2.8.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 16.5% of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

26.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.0 males.<ref name=":2" /> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 111.7 males.<ref name=":2" />

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $37,143 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,281) and the median family income was $43,611 (+/- $12,187).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Males had a median income of $26,813 (+/- $5,417) versus $22,266 (+/- $3,671) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $25,070 (+/- $4,501).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Approximately, 10.1% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under the age of 18 and 14.1% of those ages 65 or over.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010 census

As of the census<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 2,789 people, 1,080 households, and 710 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,228 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 94.4% White, 1.8% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population.

There were 1,080 households, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.3% were non-families. 29.5% 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 2.97.

The median age in the city was 39 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 18.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 2,773 people, 1,063 households, and 723 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,219 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 96.93% White, 1.05% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 1,063 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,847, and the median income for a family was $37,014. Males had a median income of $26,431 versus $20,682 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,668. About 8.1% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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Girard Public Library (2013)

Public schools

The community is served by Girard USD 248 public school district.<ref>Girard USD248</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Girard High School
• Girard Middle School
• R.V. Haderlein Elementary School

Public library

• Girard Public Library

Media

Newspapers

The Girard Press was moved by Warner and Wasser from Fort Scott to Girard in November, 1869, the first issue appearing at the latter place on the 11th of the month. The paper took strong ground in favor of the validity of Mr. Joy's title to the neutral lands, and on this account its office and material were set fire to on July 14, 1871, and destroyed. The loss was $4,000. New material was obtained, and the paper, enlarged and improved, re-appeared August 13, and was later published as a nine-column folio weekly.Template:Citation needed

Girard Press ceased publication in September 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hometown Girard launched on February 15, 2013 <ref>https://www.facebook.com/HometownGirard/info/?tab=page_info About Hometown Girard Template:User-generated source</ref> and is published bi-weekly (every two weeks).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

• Edythe Baker, jazz pianist
• Percy Daniels, Populist lieutenant governor of Kansas 1892-94
• Dennis Franchione, college football coach
• Thomas Everhart, president, California Institute of Technology and chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Jane Grant, journalist who co-founded The New Yorker
• Emanuel Haldeman-Julius, social reformer and publisher
• Dennis Hayden, actor, producer
• Charles Holland, Los Angeles, California, City Council member, 1929–31
• Eugenio Kincaid, Baptist missionary in Burma
• Ron Kramer, football player
• Ruth Stout, author
• Julius Wayland, Socialist propagandist
• Frank Wickware, professional baseball player in the Negro Leagues

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Crawford County, Kansas
  • First Presbyterian Church (Girard, Kansas)
  • St. John's Episcopal Church (Girard, Kansas)

External links

• City of Girard
• Girard - Directory of Public Officials
• USD 248, local school district
• History of Girard
• Girard city map, KDOT