Hesston, Kansas
City
Alliman Center on Hesston College campus
Alliman Center on Hesston College campus
Location within Harvey County and Kansas
Location within Harvey County and Kansas
KDOT map of Harvey County (legend)
KDOT map of Harvey County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°08′24″N 97°25′37″W / 38.14000°N 97.42694°W / 38.14000; -97.42694[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyHarvey
TownshipEmma
Founded1886[2]
Incorporated1921
Named forHess brothers
Government
 • TypeMayor–Council
Area
[3]
 • Total3.56 sq mi (9.23 km2)
 • Land3.56 sq mi (9.23 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[1]
1,476 ft (450 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total3,505
 • Density980/sq mi (380/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67062
Area code620
FIPS code20-31600
GNIS ID2394366[1]
Websitehesstonks.org

Hesston is a city in Harvey County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,505.[4] Large manufacturing facilities for AGCO (farm equipment) and Excel Industries (lawn mowers) are located in Hesston. It is home of Hesston College.

History

Early history

For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic 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.

19th century

1915 Railroad Map of Harvey County

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

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

A post office was established as Elivon on February 10, 1873. It then moved near the current city site on April 24, 1878.[5]

In 1886, Hesston was founded and named after the Hess brothers who owned the land where a depot on the Missouri Pacific Railroad was built.[2][6] The post office was renamed to Hesston on December 16, 1887. Due to the railroad, Hesston became an important regional shipping point.[7]

20th century

In 1909, the Mennonite Church founded the Hesston College, because many of the early settlers were Mennonite farmers.

In 1947, Lyle Yost and Adin Holdemann founded the farm equipment company Hesston Manufacturing Company.[8] In 1991, AGCO Corporation purchased the company. In the 1960s, John Regier founded the lawn mower company Excel Industries.[9]

In 1981, the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains was founded at the Hesston College.

On March 13, 1990, a large portion of Hesston was damaged by an F5 tornado during a tornado outbreak. A total of 226 homes and 21 businesses were destroyed, and several were swept completely from their foundations. 20 farms were torn apart in rural areas outside of Hesston. Light debris from Hesston was found 115 miles (185 km) away in Nebraska. One person died and 59 people were injured. After passing through Hesston, the tornado increased to an "extreme F5" near the city of Goessel. The severity of the damage left behind by this tornado led some meteorologists to believe that the Goessel tornado was among the strongest ever documented at that time.[10][11]

21st century

On February 25, 2016, Hesston became the scene of a mass shooting in which three people were killed and twelve others injured at an Excel Industries building. Prior to that shooting, other shooting incidents occurred at the nearby city of Newton and also Old U.S. Route 81,[12] in which two people were wounded.[13][14] The shooter was identified as Excel employee Cedric Larry Ford, who was killed by responding police officers.[15][16]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.90 square miles (10.10 km2), all of it land.[17]

F-5 Tornado over Hesston in March 1990

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hesston has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[18]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1930526—
1940403−23.4%
195068670.2%
19601,10360.8%
19701,92674.6%
19803,01356.4%
19903,0120.0%
20003,50916.5%
20103,7095.7%
20203,505−5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 3,505 people, 1,357 households, and 945 families in Hesston.[19][20] The population density was 983.2 per square mile (379.6/km2). There were 1,454 housing units at an average density of 407.9 per square mile (157.5/km2).[20][21] The racial makeup was 90.01% (3,155) white or European American (88.53% non-Hispanic white), 1.63% (57) black or African-American, 0.6% (21) Native American or Alaska Native, 1.68% (59) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.88% (66) from other races, and 4.19% (147) from two or more races.[22] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.59% (161) of the population.[23]

Of the 1,357 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18; 60.0% were married couples living together; 24.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 28.3% of households consisted of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[20] The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.9.[24] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 30.6% of the population.[25]

23.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.1 males.[20] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 113.6 males.[20]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $50,644 (with a margin of error of +/- $10,797) and the median family income was $69,432 (+/- $24,126).[26] Females had a median income of $25,772 (+/- $7,009). The median income for those above 16 years old was $26,065 (+/- $10,118).[27] Approximately, 8.9% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under the age of 18 and 1.8% of those ages 65 or over.[28][29]

2010 census

As of the census[30] of 2010, there were 3,709 people, 1,345 households, and 972 families residing in the city. The population density was 951.0 inhabitants per square mile (367.2/km2). There were 1,433 housing units at an average density of 367.4 per square mile (141.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.7% White, 1.6% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 1.5% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.5% of the population.

There were 1,345 households, of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.7% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 37.2 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.8% were from 25 to 44; 22.6% were from 45 to 64; and 19.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census[31] of 2000, there were 3,509 people, 1,227 households, and 904 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,353.2 inhabitants per square mile (522.5/km2). There were 1,308 housing units at an average density of 504.4 per square mile (194.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.56% White, 1.48% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 1.25% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.88% of the population.[32][33]

There were 1,227 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.5% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 14.3% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $42,585, and the median income for a family was $51,474. Males had a median income of $39,891 versus $26,424 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,138. About 3.9% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Hesston 5670 round baler

The two largest companies in Hesston are AGCO (Hesston Corp) and Excel Industries (Hustler).

In 1947, Lyle Yost founded the farm equipment company Hesston Manufacturing Company. In 1955, it introduced the first commercially available self-propelled windrower, then in 1967 it introduced the first hydrostatic drive windrower. In 1978, it introduced the first large square baler, then in 1988 it introduced the first totally automatically large round baler.[34] In 1974, the Hesston Company commissioned its first belt buckles,[35] which became popular on the rodeo circuit and with collectors. The company's controlling stake was sold to Italian corporation Fiat Trattori in 1977. The remainder of the company was purchased in 1987 by the same firm.[8] In 1991, the American-based equipment manufacturer AGCO Corporation purchased Hesston Corporation and later expanded the manufacturing facilities.

In 1960, John Regier founded the lawn mower company Excel Industries.[9] The company manufactures Hustler and Big Dog mowing equipment.[36]

Arts and culture

Government

The Hesston government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 6 pm.[37]

  • City Hall, 115 E Smith.

Education

Mary Miller Library at Hesston College (2007)

Primary and secondary education

The community is served by Hesston USD 460 public school district. It has three schools:

  • Hesston High School, 200 N. Ridge Road, Hesston.
  • Hesston Middle School, 100 N. Ridge Road, Hesston.
  • Hesston Elementary School, 300 E. Amos, Hesston.

College

Media

Print

Newspaper

Radio

Hesston is served by numerous radio stations of the Wichita-Hutchinson listening market area,[38] and satellite radio. See Media in Wichita, Kansas.

Television

Hesston is served by over-the-air ATSC digital TV of the Wichita-Hutchinson viewing market area,[39] cable TV by Allegiance Communications, and satellite TV. See Media in Wichita, Kansas.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Interstate I-135 and highway US 81 pass through Hesston.

Hesston is serviced by a branch of the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad operating between McPherson and Newton, where it connects to the BNSF Railway.

Utilities

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hesston, Kansas
  2. 1 2 Harvey County history; Harvey County Historical Society.
  3. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Profile of Hesston, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Kansas Post Offices, 1828-1961 (archived)". Kansas Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ Santa Fe Rail History
  7. ↑ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 840.
  8. 1 2 Voorhis, Dan. "Lyle Yost, founder of Hesston Industries, dies at age 99". The Wichita Eagle. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Hustler History; Excel Industries". Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  10. ↑ Thomas P. Grazulis (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
  11. ↑ Michael Smith (April 20, 1990). "Kansas twister might be the strongest ever recorded". Fort Scott Tribune. unknown: Fort Scott Tribune. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  12. ↑ Spurney, Blake (February 25, 2016). "Update: 9 PM Press Conference On Hesston Shooting". The Hesston Record. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  13. ↑ "4 killed, 14 injured in Hesston, Kansas shooting spree". FOX News. February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  14. ↑ Berman, Mark; Miller, Michael E. (February 25, 2016). "Kansas gunman kills three people and injures 14 people, sheriff says". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Gunman Among 4 Dead, 14 Hurt in Kansas Workplace Shooting". NBC New York. February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  16. ↑ Eversley, Melanie (February 25, 2016). "Multiple dead plus shooter after Kansas shootings; up to 20 injured". USA Today. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  17. ↑ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  18. ↑ Climate Summary for Hesston, Kansas
  19. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  21. ↑ Bureau, US Census. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  22. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  23. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  24. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  25. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  26. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  27. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  28. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  29. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  30. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  31. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  32. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau - 2000 Census, Population and Housing Unit Counts for Kansas
  33. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau - 1990 Census, Population and Housing Unit Counts for Kansas
  34. ↑ Hesston agricultural product history Archived 2016-01-22 at the Wayback Machine
  35. ↑ Hesston Belt Buckle History
  36. ↑ Hesston firm Excel Industries making great strides in global expansion; The Wichita Eagle; July 10, 2013.
  37. ↑ Hesston - Directory of Public Officials Archived 2011-05-05 at the Wayback Machine
  38. ↑ Wichita-Hutchinson Radio market.
  39. ↑ Wichita-Hutchinson TV market.
  40. ↑ "Lyle Yost, Founder of Hesston Industries, Dies At Age 99; The Wichita Eagle; April 6, 2012". Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2012.

Further reading

City
  • Hesston, Kansas, 1886-1986; Murray Bandy; 1988.
  • Anatomy of a Town: Hesston, Kansas; Mary Hess; 1976; ISBN 978-0806203409.
College
  • A School on the Prairie: A Centennial History of Hesston College, 1909-2009; John Sharp; 2009; ISBN 978-1931038645.
  • A Pillar of Cloud the Story of Hesston College; Mary Miller; 1959; ASIN B000JEMKR8.
Hesston Corp
  • Factory on the Plains: Lyle Yost and the Hesston Corporation; Billy Mac Jones; Wichita State University; 1987; ASIN B0006EQOU0.
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