Osawatomie is a city in
Miami County, Kansas
, United States
, 61 miles (98 km) southwest of Kansas
City
. The population was 4,645 at the
2000 census. It derives its name
from two streams near by, the
Osage and
Potawatomie. In 1900, 4,101 people lived in Osawatomie; in 1910,
4,046. Osawatomie was chartered in 1883 and in 1890 became a
second-class city. The commission form of government was adopted in
1914.
History
Osawatomie's name is a compound of two primary native American
indian tribes from the area, the
Osage
and
Pottawatomie. In addition, the town
is bordered by Pottawatomie Creek and the
Marais des Cygnes River (part of the
Osage River system), which are also named for the two tribes.
]].The
Emigrant Aid
Society's transport of settlers to the
Kansas Territory as a base for Free State
forces played a key role in the establishment f the community of
Osawatomie in October of 1854. Settled by
abolitionists in hopes of aiding Kansas' entry
to the United States as a free state, the community of Osawatomie
and pro slavery communities nearby were quickly engaged in
violence.In March of 1855, abolitionists Rev. Samuel Adair and his
wife Florella settled in a cabin near Osawatomie to serve as
missionaries to the community. Florella's half-brother,
John Brown came to
"Bleeding Kansas" later the same year with a
wagon of gunss in order to help fight the pro slavery forces like
his five sons, who were already living in another community in the
area. Brown then came to Osawatomie to visit the Adair's and fight
pro slavery forces there. By 1856, having established himself as a
leader of free state guerillas, Brown made Osawatomie and the Adair
cabin his base. In a raid in May of 1856, Brown killed five pro
slavery men along Pottawatomie Creek near Osawatomie. This was then
referred to as the
"Pottawatomie
Massacre", which inflamed the fighting throughout the Kansas
Territory. The second and main
Battle of Osawatomie took place on
August 30, 1856. Osawatomie played a key role throughout the
Civil War, serving as a center
for
Jayhawker activity.]].By 1857
Osawatomie had grown to a town of 800 and in 1859 hosted the first
convention of the Kansas Republican Party. In recognition for
Osawatomie's part in ensuring Kansas remained a free state, the
Kansas Legislature established the Osawatomie State Mental Hospital
in 1863, the first mental hospital west of the
Mississippi River. It admitted its first
patient in 1866, and is still operational. By 1879, a railroad was
built to serve Osawatomie, aiding its growth into a supply town and
a main shipping point. As a result, Osawatomie grew to a population
of 4,046 by 1910. Osawatomie was a division point for the Missouri
Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad from 1879 to
1985.
Battle of Osawatomie
The first skirmish in Osawatomie took place on June 7, 1856 however
there was not much of a fight, and no blood was shed. The town's
buildings were plundered, and some horses were taken. The larger,
and main conflict known as the Battle of Osawatomie began August
30, 1856 as John Brown was camped just north Osawatomie and looking
east for pro-slavery forces. A pro-slavery force of 250, led by
John William Reid, came riding
into Osawatomie from another direction. One of John Brown's sons
was walking to the Adair cabin at the time, and was shot. When
Reverend Adair heard the shot, he sent his own son to warn and
notify John Brown of the raid.. Brown and 31 of the free state
guerillas took positions to attempt to defend Osawatomie. Heavy
gunfire took place for over 45 minutes,until Brown and his men ran
out of ammunition. They retreated hoping they would be chased, and
the community of Osawatomie would be left alone. However, despite
the attempts of John Reid to get his men to follow, they instead
looted and burned Osawatomie. Only three buildings remained
standing when it was over.
Historical Places
Osawatomie has several historical places, 5 of which are listed on
the National Historic Register.
- The Mills House - A 7,000 sq. ft. Queen-Anne style home built
in 1902 for William Mills.
- Asylum Bridge - An unusual bridge built in 1906 connecting the
community to the state mental hospital.
- Creamery Bridge - In 1930, this bridge was built crossing the
Marais des Cygnes River. Another just like it crosses the
Pottawatomie Creek. Osawatomie is between the two. Both bridges are
on the National Historic Register.
- John Brown Museum State Historic Site: The site of the Battle
of Osawatomie is contained in the John Brown Memorial Park. Also,
the Adair Cabin is exhibited there.
Community
The community of Osawatomie offers a museum and driving tour for
learning of its history, and also offers its residents various
opportunities for recreation. There is and 18-hole golf course, and
the Osawatomie City Lake for fishing. The Miami County Family YMCA
is also in Osawatomie, which has an indoor pool, a gymnasium,
weight room, indoor track, and offers programs for all ages. The
Karl Cole Sports Complex in Osawatomie is used for athletic events
such as baseball, softball, soccer, and youth football.
Education
Four schools comprise the Osawatomie Unified School District #367.
- Swenson Early Childhood Education Center (Pre-K and K)
- Trojan Elementary (grades 1-5)
- Osawatomie Middle School (grades 6-8)
- Trojan High School (grades 9-12)
On the 2009 Kansas State Assessments, Trojan High School achieved
building wide Standard of Excellence Awards in both reading and
math. The Osawatomie Middle School achieved a building wide
Standard of Excellence Award in reading.Faculty of USD #367 have
received the Kansas Master Teacher of the Year three times, Kansas
Teacher of the Year twice, and have also received once each the
Kansas Reading Teacher of the Year, Kansas Social Studies Teacher
of the Year, and Kansas Counselor of the Year.
Geography
Osawatomie is located at (38.501650, -94.950799) , along the
Marais des Cygnes
River.
According to the
United
States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
4.5 square miles (11.6 km²), of which, 4.4 square
miles (11.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles
(0.1 km²) of it (1.11%) is water.
Demographics
As of the
census of 2000, there were 4,645
people, 1,781 households, and 1,130 families residing in the city.
The
population density was
1,045.0 people per square mile (403.9/km²). There were 1,947
housing units at an average density of 438.0/sq mi
(169.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.21%
White, 4.16%
African American, 0.47%
Native American, 0.22%
Asian, 0.04%
Pacific Islander, 0.75% from
other races, and 2.15%
from two or more races.
Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 2.54% of the
population.
There were 1,781 households out of which 34.7% had children under
the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were
married couples living together, 13.3% had a female
householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families.
31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% 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 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age
of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to
64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was
34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every
100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,104, and the
median income for a family was $37,172. Males had a median income
of $30,650 versus $23,043 for females. The
per capita income for the city was
$15,353. About 10.9% of families and 12.9% of the population were
below the
poverty line, including 16.5%
of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.
References
- "Miami County 2009 Visitors Guide", pages 8-10
- "Miami County 2008 Visitors Guide", pages 11-16
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