Osawatomie is a city in
Miami County,
Kansas
Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...
, United States,
southwest of
Kansas City. As of the
2020 census, the population of the city was 4,255.
It derives its name as a
portmanteau
A portmanteau word, or portmanteau (, ) is a blend of words[Marais des Cygnes River
The Marais des Cygnes River ( , ) is a principal tributary of the Osage River, about long,U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed May 31, 2011 in eastern Kansas and western Miss ...](_blank)
(formerly named "Osage River") and
Pottawatomie Creek.
History
![Congregational Church (Old Stone Church)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Congregational_Church_%28Old_Stone_Church%29.jpg)
Osawatomie's name is a compound of two primary Native American tribes from the area, the
Osage and
Pottawatomi
The Potawatomi , also spelled Pottawatomi and Pottawatomie (among many variations), are a Native American people of the western Great Lakes region, upper Mississippi River and Great Plains. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a me ...
e. The town is bordered by Pottawatomie Creek and the
Marais des Cygnes River
The Marais des Cygnes River ( , ) is a principal tributary of the Osage River, about long,U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed May 31, 2011 in eastern Kansas and western Miss ...
(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
The Territory of Kansas was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until January 29, 1861, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the United States, Union as the Slave and ...
as a base for Free State forces was key in the establishment of the community of Osawatomie in October 1854. Settled by
abolitionists
Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, is the movement to end slavery. In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historic movement that sought to end the Atlantic slave trade and liberate the enslaved people.
The Britis ...
in hope of aiding Kansas's entry to the United States as a free state, the community of Osawatomie and pro-slavery communities nearby were quickly engaged in violence.
["Miami County 2009 Visitors Guide", pages 8-10]
In March 1855, abolitionists Reverend 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
Bleeding Kansas, Bloody Kansas, or the Border War was a series of violent civil confrontations in Kansas Territory, and to a lesser extent in western Missouri, between 1854 and 1859. It emerged from a political and ideological debate over the ...
later the same year with a wagon of guns 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 Adairs 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 1856, Brown killed five pro-slavery men along Pottawatomie Creek near the current town of
Lane, Kansas. This was then referred to as the "
Pottawatomie massacre", which inflamed the fighting throughout the Kansas Territory.
["Miami County 2008 Visitors Guide", pages 11-16] The second and main
Battle of Osawatomie
The Battle of Osawatomie was an armed engagement that occurred on August 30, 1856, when 250–400 pro-slavery Border ruffians, led by John W. Reid, attacked the town of Osawatomie, Kansas, which had been settled largely by anti-slavery Free-Sta ...
took place on August 30, 1856. Osawatomie played a key role throughout the
Civil War
A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country).
The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...
, serving as a center for
Jayhawker
Jayhawkers and red legs are terms that came to prominence in Kansas Territory during the Bleeding Kansas period of the 1850s; they were adopted by militant bands affiliated with the free-state cause during the American Civil War. These gangs we ...
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
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system in North America, second only to the Hudson Bay drainage system. From its traditional source of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, it f ...
. 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.
Osawatomie was chartered in 1883 and in 1890 became a second-class city. The commission form of government was adopted in 1914.
Battle of Osawatomie
![OsawatomieBattlefield](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/OsawatomieBattlefield.png)
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
John William Reid (June 14, 1821 – November 22, 1881) was a lawyer, soldier, one-time slaveholder and U.S. Representative from Missouri.
Early and family life
Born in 1821 near Lynchburg, Virginia. Reid married twice. By his first wife he ...
, came riding into Osawatomie from another direction. One of John Brown's sons Frederick Brown 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 Brown to get Reid's men to follow, they instead looted and burned Osawatomie. Only three buildings remained standing when it was over.
Presidential visits
![ObamaLeavingOsawatomieKansas06Dec2011](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/ObamaLeavingOsawatomieKansas06Dec2011.jpg)
On August 31, 1910, President
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...
gave his famous
New Nationalism speech in Osawatomie. The central issue he argued was government protection of
human welfare and
property rights
The right to property, or the right to own property (cf. ownership) is often classified as a human right for natural persons regarding their possessions. A general recognition of a right to private property is found more rarely and is typically ...
.
On December 6, 2011, President
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Obama was the first African-American president of the U ...
gave an economic speech reprising many of Roosevelt's themes at
Osawatomie High School
Osawatomie High School (OHS) is a public high school in Osawatomie, Kansas, United States. It is operated by Osawatomie USD 367 school district. Its mascot is Trojans, and the school colors are red and white. The principal is Jeff White, and the ...
.
Geography
Osawatomie is located at (38.501650, -94.950799),
along the
Marais des Cygnes River
The Marais des Cygnes River ( , ) is a principal tributary of the Osage River, about long,U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed May 31, 2011 in eastern Kansas and western Miss ...
. According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notabl ...
system, Osawatomie has a
humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a zone of climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between latitudes 25° and 40° ...
, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
Osawatomie is part of the
Kansas City metropolitan area.
2010 census
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2010, there were 4,447 people, 1,644 households, and 1,075 families residing in the city. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was . There were 1,891 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.3%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White o ...
, 3.1%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 1.0%
Native American, 0.3%
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.9% from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 2.4% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 2.9% of the population.
There were 1,644 households, of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were
married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.09.
The median age in the city was 34.6 years. 28.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.9% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
2000 census
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2000, there were 4,645 people, 1,781 households, and 1,130 families residing in the city. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was 1,045.0 people per square mile (403.9/km). There were 1,947 housing units at an average density of 438.0 per square mile (169.3/km). The racial makeup of the city was 92.21%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White o ...
, 4.16%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 0.47%
Native American, 0.22%
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.04%
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of O ...
, 0.75% from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 2.15% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
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
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the city was $15,353. About 10.9% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.
Historical places
![Creamery Bridge Osawatomie](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Creamery_Bridge_Osawatomie.JPG)
Osawatomie has several historical places, 5 of which are listed on the National Historic Register.
* The Mills House - A . 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
The John Brown Museum, also known as the John Brown Museum State Historic Site and John Brown Cabin, is located in Osawatomie, Kansas. The site is operated by the Kansas Historical Society, and includes the log cabin of Reverend Samuel Adair an ...
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.
* John Brown Lookout - Located north of 319th and Lookout Road, this high point in the county was used as a Civil War lookout. There is now a ladder there that can be used to cross the fence line for access to the lookout. An exhibit at John Brown State Historic site also features John Brown Lookout.
Other historic places in or around Osawatomie include:
* Midway Drive-In Theater - Located off of Old KC Road between Paola and Osawatomie is a drive-in theater, one of only twelve remaining in the state. This outdoor movie theater is still operational and shows movies, which used to be called "talkies", during the spring and summer months.
* Flood Marker - An historic flood of the Marais des Cygnes River occurred in 1951. A marker was placed north of 343rd and one-half mile east of Columbia Rd to show the height of the water, 50.3 feet, which has yet to be matched.
Community
![Cole sports complex Osawatomie](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Cole_sports_complex_Osawatomie.jpg)
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 an 18-hole golf course, and the Osawatomie City Lake for fishing. The USD 367 Sport and Fitness Zone (O-Zone) is also in Osawatomie, which has two indoor pools, an outdoor pool, a gymnasium, weight room, indoor track, and offers programs for all ages. The Karl E. Cole Sports Complex in Osawatomie is used for athletic events such as baseball, softball, soccer, and youth football.
Osawatomie hosts the John Brown Jamboree, an annual arts, crafts, and music festival each summer. Each October, the Talking Tombstones event is held at Oakwood Cemetery, with reenactments of historical figures buried there, to remember their lives and contribution to the community's history.
Government
The Osawatomie government consists of a mayor and eight council members.
[Elected Officials; City of Osawatomie.](_blank)
/ref>
Education
Four schools comprise the Osawatomie USD
The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...
367.
* Swenson Early Childhood Education Center (Pre-K and K)
* Trojan Elementary (grades 1-5)
* Osawatomie Middle School (grades 6-8)
* Osawatomie High School
Osawatomie High School (OHS) is a public high school in Osawatomie, Kansas, United States. It is operated by Osawatomie USD 367 school district. Its mascot is Trojans, and the school colors are red and white. The principal is Jeff White, and the ...
(grades 9-12)
On the 2009 Kansas State Assessments, Osawatomie 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.
Notable people
* John Brown resided for 20 months in a cabin, now the John Brown Museum
The John Brown Museum, also known as the John Brown Museum State Historic Site and John Brown Cabin, is located in Osawatomie, Kansas. The site is operated by the Kansas Historical Society, and includes the log cabin of Reverend Samuel Adair an ...
* Lynn Dickey
Clifford Lynn Dickey (born October 19, 1949) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at Kansas State and was sele ...
- pro football player
* Derrick Jensen
Derrick Jensen (born December 19, 1960) is an American ecophilosopher, writer, author, teacher and environmentalist in the anarcho-primitivist tradition, though he rejects the label "anarchist". ''Utne Reader'' named Jensen among "50 Visionari ...
- pro football player
* Lafayette Russell
Lafayette "Reb" Russell (born Lafayette H. Russell; May 31, 1905 – March 16, 1978) was an American football running back and later an actor. He played college football at the University of Nebraska and Northwestern University, and professi ...
- pro football player and actor
References
Further reading
External links
City of Osawatomie
Osawatomie - Directory of Public Officials
Osawatomie city map
KDOT
{{Authority control
Cities in Miami County, Kansas
Cities in Kansas
Populated places established in 1854
1854 establishments in Kansas Territory