Jamestown, Kansas

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Jamestown is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. The population was 399 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Economy
4 Education
5 History
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Geography

Jamestown is located at 39°36′0″N, 97°51′42″W (39.600031, -97.861759)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 399 people, 139 households, and 92 families residing in the city. The population density was 531.2/km² (1,391.4/mi²). There were 169 housing units at an average density of 225.0/km² (589.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.24% White, 0.25% Asian, and 2.51% from two or more races.

There were 139 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 3.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,167, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $25,313 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,641. About 9.2% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Economy

Jamestown is mostly a small agricultural community. There is a local bank that services accounts through the area and Jamestown also has a nursing home facility and a cafe. Through local efforts and federal funding, a Community Center, Activities Center, and Library have been added to the downtown area (see section on "History" below). A large number of residents complete their shopping in nearby Concordia, Kansas.

The opening day of hunting season brings an influx of people who enjoy small bird game hunting. Also, the nearby Jamestown (Kansas) Wildlife Area (commonly called "Jamestown Lake") provides fishing for local anglers seeking small fish such as perch, crappie, and bass.

[edit] Education

In 1911, local residents of Jamestown transfered some property to School District 32 to create the Jamestown Schools. Kansas public schools underwent reorganization and in 1962, the "old" school district 32 entered a Quit Claim Deed and transferred the property to Unified School District #333. The Jamestown School provided classes for grades 1-12 in one building and also maintained a second building for industrial arts classes. The school also kept a playground and athletic field.

Jamestown maintained a public school until the junior high school and high school was closed in 1980. The elementary school was closed in 1983. The student population was always considered low compared to many other area public schools, but in the later years the average grade level fell to an average of between six to eight students. Jamestown residents are served by the Concordia school district USD #333.

Records from October 1984 show a Resolution to Transfer the property from USD #333 back to the City of Jamestown. The main building has been demolished and only the gymnasium stands today.

Jamestown High School athletic teams were known as the Jamestown Jayhawks and competed in the Pike Trail League, primarily made up of small local schools in the area. Students participated in 8-man football, volleyball, basketball, and track & field.

Jamestown Community College in the state of New York also claims the same mascot and are called the Jamestown Jayhawks, but the relationship is merely coincidence.

[edit] History

[edit] The 1911 Fire

In 1911 the entire downtown shopping district was destroyed by a fire. Little records remain of that fire, but the townspeople did rebuild the downtown shopping district.

[edit] The 2000 Fire

History repeated itself on January 28, 2000 when another fire consumed several buildings on Main street and spread to the city hall. The fire chief and small group of volunteer firefighters worked nearly 24 hours without sleep to contain the fire. And again, history repeated itself as the town rebuilt. Mayor Judy Hill stated, "A fire like that can destroy a small town, but instead it ignited a community spirit here." In a few days, Jamestown was having town meetings to make plans for the future.

[edit] Rebuilding the Town

The funeral home in Jamestown was selected as the temporary city office and meeting place. More than 50 people (out of a population of 307 at the time) came to town meetings there and the citizens organized into several committees to begin work.

Today, Jamestown has a new community center with daycare facilities and a thriving downtown activities center with a health clinic, public library, and several businesses.