Editing Walton, Kansas

{{Short description|City in Harvey County, Kansas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Walton, Kansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Walton City Hall in Walton, Kansas.jpg
|image_caption            = Walton City Hall at 122 E Main St (2010)
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Harvey_County_Kansas_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Walton_Highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[Harvey County, Kansas|Harvey County]] and [[Kansas]]
|image_map1               = Map of Harvey Co, Ks, USA.png
|map_caption1             = [[Kansas Department of Transportation|KDOT]] map of [[Harvey County, Kansas|Harvey County]] ([[:File:Kansas official transportation map legend.png|legend]])

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|38|07|07|N|97|15|30|W|region:US-KS_type:city_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Kansas]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Kansas|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Harvey County, Kansas|Harvey]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Kansas|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        = [[Walton Township, Harvey County, Kansas|Walton]]

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1871
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        = 1871
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1886 <ref name="gov1"/>
|named_for                = [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway|ATSF]] stockholder

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = <ref name="gov1"/>
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Barry Wentz {{cn|date=September 2023}}

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_20.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.31
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.31
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|area_total_km2           = 0.81
|area_land_km2            = 0.81
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 1532

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 219
|pop_est_footnotes        =
|pop_est_as_of            =
|population_est           =
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|population_density_km2   = auto

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 67151
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 620|620]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = {{FIPS|20|75200}} 
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2397186<ref name="GNIS">{{GNIS|2397186}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.waltonkansas.com/|waltonkansas.com}}
}}

'''Walton''' is a city in [[Harvey County, Kansas]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/> It is named in honor of one of the 19th century stockholders of [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]].<ref name="WaltonHistory1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20030425111330/http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/harvey/harvey-co-p12.html#WALTON ''History of the State of Kansas''; William G Cutler; 1883]</ref><ref>[http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/harvey/townships.htm Harvey County Township History]</ref>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 219.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Walton, Kansas in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2075200 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112010801/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2075200 |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{TOC limit|limit=2}}

==History==
[[File:Walton United Methodist Church in Walton, Kansas.jpg|thumb|left|Walton United Methodist Church (2010). Dedicated on July 20, 1919.]]

===Early history===
{{See also|History of Kansas}}
For many [[millennia]], the [[Great Plains]] of [[North America]] was inhabited by [[nomadic]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. From the 16th century to 18th century, the [[Kingdom of France]] claimed ownership of large parts of [[North America]]. In 1762, after the [[French and Indian War]], France secretly ceded [[New France]] to [[Spain]], per the [[Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762)|Treaty of Fontainebleau]].

===19th century===
[[File:Stouffer's Railroad Map of Kansas 1915-1918 Harvey County.png|thumb|left|1915 Railroad Map of [[Harvey County, Kansas|Harvey County]]]]
In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, most of the land for [[History of Kansas|modern day Kansas]] was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile [[Louisiana Purchase]] for 2.83 [[Penny (United States coin)|cents]] per [[acre]].

In 1854, the [[Kansas Territory]] was organized, then in 1861, [[Kansas]] became the 34th [[U.S. state]]. In 1872, [[Harvey County, Kansas|Harvey County]] was established within the [[Kansas Territory]], which included the land for modern day Walton.

In 1871, the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] extended a main line from [[Emporia, Kansas|Emporia]] through Walton to [[Newton, Kansas|Newton]],<ref name="Santa Fe Rail History">[http://kansasheritage.org/research/rr/santafe.html Santa Fe Rail History]</ref> reaching Walton and Newton in July.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kshs.org/p/the-birth-of-the-atchison-topeka-and-santa-fe-2/13188|title = The Birth of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, 2 - Kansas Historical Society}}</ref> In 1996, it merged with [[Burlington Northern Railroad]] and renamed to the current [[BNSF Railway]]. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

Walton was laid out as a town site in December 1871 by William Mathews. He built a home, and this was followed by a general store and railroad section house. Because of difficulty in perfecting title to the lots, the town-site remained dormant until it was sold to J.F. Watson and he filed a plat of the town in 1876.<ref name="WaltonHistory1"/> In 1871, a [[Kansas one room school]], measuring 18 x 20 feet, was built and the first school was held by Mrs. M. J. Sharron.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030425111330/http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/harvey/harvey-co-p12.html kancoll.com]</ref> A post office was established in Walton on December 28, 1871, Mrs. E. Peck as Postmistress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county:HV |title=Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived) |publisher=Kansas Historical Society |accessdate=11 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009125036/http://www.kshs.org/geog/geog_postoffices/search/county:HV |archive-date=October 9, 2013 }}</ref>

===20th century===
The [[New Santa Fe Trail]] road was routed through Walton in the late 1910s. Initially, the road entered the north side of the city on Walton Ave.<ref name="1918 Kansas Highway Map; KSDOT">[http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/SpecialInterestStateMaps/HistoricalKansas1918.pdf 1918 Kansas Highway Map; KSDOT.]</ref><ref name="1932 Kansas Highway Map; KSDOT">[http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/1932Mapside.pdf 1932 Kansas Highway Map; KSDOT.]</ref> The trail became [[U.S. Route 50 in Kansas|U.S. Route 50]] in the late 1930s, when the new highway was routed northeast to southwest parallel to the railroad.

==Geography==
Walton is near the dividing line between the [[Cottonwood River (Kansas)|Cottonwood]] and [[Arkansas River]] basins and near the highest ground in Harvey County. 

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.36|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all  land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=2012-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

==Area events==
* Walton Rural Life Festival, every October.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRFyf2vIJz0 Walton Rural Life Festival; YouTube.com; August 2010.]</ref><ref>[http://www.thekansan.com/news/x593078297/Walton-Rural-Life-Festival-is-Oct-17 Walton Rural Life Festival, ''The Newton Kansan'', October 9, 2009]</ref>

==Area attractions==
* Kansas Historical Marker - ''Red Turkey Wheat'', on north side of US-50 near the northeastern city limits.<ref>[http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-historical-markers/14999#61 Kansas Historical Marker - Red Turkey Wheat]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1880= 162
|1890= 249
|1900= 174
|1910= 357
|1920= 228
|1930= 212
|1940= 217
|1950= 220
|1960= 225
|1970= 211
|1980= 269
|1990= 226
|2000= 284
|2010= 235
|2020= 219
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2012-07-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 235 people, 93 households, and 69 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|652.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 105 housing units at an average density of {{convert|291.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.4% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 5.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 6.0% of the population.

There were 93 households, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.8% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% 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 2.88.

The median age in the city was 40.9 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 30.7% were from 45 to 64; and 17.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 57.0% male and 43.0% female.

===2000 census===
[[Image:Mid Kansas Cooperative in Walton, Kansas.jpg|thumb|right|Mid Kansas Cooperative, east side of [[BNSF Railway]] and [[U.S. Route 50 (Kansas)|US-50]] (2010)]]

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 284 people, 109 households, and 79 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,162.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 118 housing units at an average density of {{convert|483.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.42% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.41% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.06% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.06% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.06% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.87% of the population.

There were 109 households, out of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 129.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.4 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household was $34,375, and the median income for a family was $39,500. Males had a median income of $30,781 versus $18,882 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,679. About 9.1% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.5% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

==Government==
The Walton government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets once a month.<ref name="gov1">{{cite web |title=Information about City of Walton |url=https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41261094 |website=The League of Kansas Municipalities. |accessdate=January 25, 2019}}</ref>
* City Hall, Police Department, Fire Department, 122 Main St.
* US Post Office, 301 S 2nd Ave.

==Education==
[[Image:Walton Elementary School in Walton, Kansas.jpg|thumb|right|[[Walton Rural Life Center]] (charter elementary) School (2010)]]
[[File:Walton Rural Life Center, Kansas, 2016.JPG|thumb|right|500 W Main St (2009)]]

===Primary and secondary education===
The community is served by [[Newton USD 373]] public school district.  Walton students of junior and high school ages attend school in [[Newton, Kansas|Newton]].
* [[Walton Rural Life Center]], 500 West Main Street, a charter elementary school, [[Education in the United States#School grades|Grades]] Pre[[Kindergarten|K]]–[[Fourth grade|4]].<ref>[http://w-usd373-ks.schoolloop.com/ Walton Rural Life Center (Elementary School); USD 373.]</ref><ref>[http://www.kansas.com/2012/12/26/2616098/rural-life-fuels-kansas-schools.html ''Rural life fuels Kansas school’s revival''; The Wichita-Eagle; December 26, 2012.]</ref>

Walton High School was closed through school unification. The Walton High School mascot was Walton Wildcats.<ref>"Assaria Regional", The Salina Journal, 6 March 1958, p.11.</ref>

===Library===
* Walton Community Library, 122 Main St.

===Film===
'''Using Agriculture to Spur Achievement : The Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center''',<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQT2uwDXcF0 Using Agriculture to Spur Achievement : The Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center; U.S. Department of Education; YouTube.com; January 2011.]</ref> 2011, U.S. Department of Education filmed a documentary at the Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center charter elementary school in November 2010.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101114003047/http://www.ksn.com/news/local/story/Walton-school-focus-of-U-S-Dept-of-Education/C80pQTebS0akPcXewgs1-g.cspx Walton School Focus Of U.S. Dept. Of Education Documentary; Craig Andres; ''KSN''; November 9, 2010]</ref> The crew also interviewed farm families, teachers, students, and community members. The resulting video will be featured on their website, highlighting the center as a best practices model of innovation in education.<ref>[http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/nov/10/rural-kansas-charter-school-featured-us-film/ Rural Kansas Charter School Featured In US Film; Amy Bickel; ''The Hutchinson News''; November 10, 2010]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120304215609/http://www.thekansan.com/features/x1892559654/National-crew-films-at-Walton-ag-school National Crew Films At Walton Ag School; Cristina Janney; ''The Newton Kansan''; November 18, 2010]</ref>

==Media==
{{See also|List of newspapers in Kansas|List of radio stations in Kansas|List of television stations in Kansas}}

===Print===
* ''[[Hillsboro Free Press]]'', free newspaper for greater [[Marion County, Kansas|Marion County]] area.
* ''[[Newton Kansan|The Newton Kansan]]'', regional newspaper from [[Newton, Kansas|Newton]].
* ''[[The Wichita Eagle]]'', major regional newspaper from [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]].

===Radio===
Walton is served by numerous [[Radio broadcasting|radio stations]] of the [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]]-[[Hutchinson, Kansas|Hutchinson]] listening market area,<ref>[http://www.ontheradio.net/metro/wichita_ks.aspx Wichita-Hutchinson Radio market.]</ref> and [[satellite radio]]. See ''[[Media in Wichita, Kansas]]''.

===Television===
Walton is served by over-the-air [[ATSC]] [[digital television|digital TV]] of the [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]]-[[Hutchinson, Kansas|Hutchinson]] viewing market area,<ref>[http://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/Wichita-Hutchinson Wichita-Hutchinson TV market.]</ref> [[cable TV]], and [[Satellite television|satellite TV]]. See ''[[Media in Wichita, Kansas]]''.

==Infrastructure==
[[Image:Harvey County Rural Water District in Walton, Kansas.jpg|thumb|Harvey County Rural Water District #1 at 210 Esau Ave (2010)]]

===Transportation===
A major highway [[U.S. Route 50 in Kansas|US-50]] and a railroad [[BNSF Railway]] pass through Walton. US-50 was originally the [[New Santa Fe Trail]] and roughly parallels the [[BNSF Railway]].

The [[Amtrak]] [[Southwest Chief]] stops in nearby [[Newton, Kansas|Newton]] twice each day and provides passenger rail service to [[Los Angeles]] and [[Chicago]]. See [[Newton (Amtrak station)|Newton station]].

===Utilities===
* Internet
** DSL is provided by [[CenturyLink]].
** Wireless is provided by Pixius Communications (wireless), [[Verizon]] (cellular).
** Satellite is provided by [[HughesNet]], [[StarBand]], [[Wildblue|WildBlue]].
* TV
** Satellite is provided by [[DirecTV]], [[Dish Network]].
** Terrestrial is provided by regional [[digital television|digital TV]] stations.
* Telephone
** Landline is provided by [[CenturyLink]].
** Cell Phone is provided by [[Verizon]].
* Electricity
** City is provided by [[Westar Energy]].
** Rural is provided by Flint Hills RECA.
* Natural Gas
** Service is provided by KMGA, billed by City of Walton.
* Water
** City is provided by Harvey County RWD #1, billed by City of Walton.
** Rural is provided by Harvey County RWD #1.
* Sewer
** Service is provided by City of Walton.
* Trash
** Service is provided by [[Waste Connections]], billed by City of Walton.

==Notable people==
:''See also [[List of people from Harvey County, Kansas]]''
* Guy Hawk, [[Kansas House of Representatives]],<ref name=khor>[http://www.kslib.info/legislators Kansas Legislators Past & Present]</ref> Banker
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==See also==
* [[La Junta Subdivision]], branch of the [[BNSF Railway]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{See also|Harvey County, Kansas#Further reading|l1=List of books about Harvey County, Kansas}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Walton, Kansas}}
* {{Official website|http://www.waltonkansas.com/|Walton - Official}}
* [https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=41261094 Walton - Directory of Public Officials], League of Kansas Municipalities
* [http://www.librarytechnology.org/lwc-displaylibrary.pl?RC=18312 Walton - Community Library]
* [https://archive.org/download/usgs_drg_ks_38097_a3/o38097a3.tif Topo Map of Newton / North Newton / Walton area], USGS

{{Harvey County, Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Harvey County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1871]]
[[Category:1871 establishments in Kansas]]