Goodland, Kansas

Goodland sometimes knows as the Golden Buckle on the Wheat Belt, is a city in Sherman County, Kansas, United States. The population was 4,948 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Sherman County.

Geography and Climate

Goodland is located at (39.348583, -101.711148). Goodland is 3638 ft. (1109 m) above sea level. Mount Sunflower, the highest point in Kansas, is a small hill located near Goodland.

Goodland is located only 17 miles from the Colorado state line, and is approximately 190 miles from Denver via Interstate 70. Kansas City, Missouri is 415 miles to the east on I-70.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), of which, 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²) of it is land and 0.23% is water.

Due to its higher elevation, Goodland experiences stronger wind and lower humidity than other locations in Kansas. Temperatures climb above 100 degrees for several days during the summer, but cities farther to the south (Dodge City, Garden City) and east (Hays) on average have many more days above 100. The higher elevation contributes to higher snowfall totals during the winter.

Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rec High °F	79	81	89	96	104	109	111	110	105	96	87	83
Norm High °F	39.4	45	53.2	62.7	71.7	83.6	89.1	86.7	78	66	49.6	41.3
Norm Low °F	15.8	19.7	26.4	34.8	45.7	55.5	61.1	59.6	50	37.5	25.2	17.8
Rec Low °F	-26	-22	-20	0	21	31	42	38	19	7	-12	-27
Precip (in)	0.43	0.44	1.2	1.51	3.46	3.3	3.54	2.49	1.12	1.05	0.82	0.4
Source: USTravelWeather.com

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,948 people, 2,085 households, and 1,259 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,127.1 people per square mile (435.2/km²). There were 2,410 housing units at an average density of 549.0/sq mi (212.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.35% White, 0.42% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 4.53% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.03% of the population.

There were 2,085 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 103.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,356, and the median income for a family was $38,309. Males had a median income of $28,589 versus $20,798 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,105. About 9.7% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

History

One of the earliest bits of recorded history relating to Goodland concerns the Kidder Massacre. On July 2, 1867 a detachment of the 2nd United States Cavalry Regiment was massacred; 2nd lieutenant Lyman S. Kidder in command of the party, a sergeant, a corporal, eight privates and an Indian guide lost their lives. They were carrying dispatches for General George Custer, who chastised Kidder for disobeying orders. Later, Custer found evidence of a running battle along Beaver Creek, which led to a ravine where the remains were found. They had been killed by Cheyenne]] and/or Sioux Indians.

In 1886 there were four communities: Itasca, Voltaire, Sherman Center and Eustis, all wanting to be county seat. Someone named Clark showed up in 1887, wanting to make a new town to settle the dispute. The new town was to be named Goodland. Soon, contests for County seat were held. Goodland won, and Sherman Center held second place, while Eustis took third. Construction began in Goodland. Eustis was jealous, and began construction of a new town as well. The county seat was not official yet so an election was held. Goodland received 872 of the 1495 votes. with Eustis receiving 611. Eustis declared that the votes were unfair. The state department said that nothing could be done, since all of the voting was done. The supreme court of Kansas had various proceedings.

There are colorful, unverified tales, of midnight raids with armed horsemen and wagons dashing about in the night between the two towns in which the passionate townsment from both sides took turns seizing the county records from Eustis and restoring them to Goodland . . . and vice versa.

In January 1888, people from Goodland set out in a daylight foray to forcibly take the county records from Eustis. But at the Sherman County Bank, the "Goodlanders" encountered a problem. Actually, the problem was across the street from the bank, where ten (supposedly armed) men were stationed on the second floor of the opposite building. No shots were fired, and Goodland contingent recovered the records. But the struggle was not over. Things went on as before until eventually, members of the Kansas militia were sent to investigate the matter, and by May of 1888 the dispute was finally closed.

Goodland is home to a very large reproduction of a Van Gogh painting from his series titled Sunflowers. The painting rests on an easel that is claimed by some to be "The World's Largest Easel." No one has seriously disputed this. Local resident Patti McGriff remembers when the attraction was put in place. "Well, they wanted something charming to get people to stop when they drove by on the interstate. The easel was originally only yay-high, but then they built a new one to make sure that it was truly the largest in the world." While most residents agree that it does add some charm to the town, others believe it's a tad tacky. The local Rotary club has provided a blue steel bench upon which tourists may rest while viewing the painting.

References

External links

• City of Goodland, KS Website
• Giant van Gogh painting Part of the Big Easel Project