54-589: Lecompton (pronounced / l ɪ ˈ k ɒ m p t ə n / ) is a city in Douglas County , Kansas , United States. As of the 2020 census , the population of the city was 588. Lecompton, located on the Kansas River , was the de jure territorial capital of Kansas from 1855 to 1861, and the Douglas County seat from 1855 to 1858. Anti-slavery Lawrence became the de facto capital during
108-446: A bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 13.9% of the population. 22.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 103.6 males. The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that
162-635: A political history more typical of Vermont and Maine than of the Great Plains. This is due to the county's strong New England roots. It voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election between 1864 and 1960, except in 1912 when the GOP was mortally divided and the county supported Progressive Theodore Roosevelt . Roosevelt would later rejoin the GOP. The county reverted to form and gave Republican presidential nominees over 60 percent of
216-440: A stone building in 1882 on the foundation of the started, but not completed, capitol building. Named " Lane University " after the free-stater James H. Lane , the university brought professors and students to community. It thrived until 1902, when Lane University moved to Holton, Kansas and merged to form Campbell College , which in turn merged with the now-defunct Kansas City University . The bell from Lane University went with
270-582: A stronghold of pro-slavery politics and Southern sympathy, which put it in conflict with nearby Lawrence, which had been founded by Free-Staters from Massachusetts. The first post office in Lecompton was established in September 1855. The city served as the seat of Douglas County , until 1858, when it was moved to Lawrence. In late 1857, a convention met in Constitution Hall and drafted
324-661: Is Lawrence . As of the 2020 census , the county population was 118,785, making it the fifth-most populous county in Kansas. The county was named after Stephen Douglas , a U.S. Senator from Illinois and advocate for the popular sovereignty choice in the Kansas slavery debate. Douglas County comprises the Lawrence, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area , which is also included in the Kansas City - Overland Park - Kansas City , MO -KS Combined Statistical Area . For millennia ,
378-572: Is a small country lake to the southwest of Lawrence offers fishing, boating and camping. Just northeast of Baldwin City is Douglas State Fishing Lake which provides hunting, fishing and limited camping. Other parks around the county include Black Jack Park which includes the Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve and Robert Hall Pearson Memorial Park, Broken Arrow Park in Lawrence and Wells Overlook Park just south of Lawrence. Major events in
432-554: Is characterized by hot, humid summers, and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lecompton has a humid subtropical climate , abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. Lecompton is part of the Lawrence, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area . The 2020 United States census counted 588 people, 247 households, and 166 families in Lecompton. The population density
486-546: Is in the Lawrence city limits. List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Douglas County. Douglas County is divided into nine townships . The city of Lawrence is considered governmentally independent and is excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) of significant size included in that township's population total. The county originally had only four townships. Lecompton comprised
540-516: Is land and 19 square miles (49 km ) (4.0%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in Kansas by land area. Much of its northern boundary is defined by the Kansas River , which flows through Lawrence and provides hydropower at the Bowersock Dam. Douglas County comprises the Lawrence, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area , which is also included in the Kansas City - Overland Park - Kansas City , MO -KS Combined Statistical Area . As of
594-462: Is located in Perry. Lecompton Elementary School is located in Lecompton. The Perry-Lecompton High School mascot is Perry-Lecompton Kaws. Lecompton High School was closed through school unification in 1970. The Lecompton High School mascot was Lecompton Owls. Douglas County, Kansas Douglas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas . Its county seat and most populous city
SECTION 10
#1732766046811648-624: Is now the Territorial Capital Museum. When the frame business buildings on the east side of main street (Elmore) were destroyed by fire in 1916, they were replaced with brick structures. A mural depicting the city as it appeared before the fire is located in the local post office building. In 1998, the Lecompton Historical Society began restoring the remains of the native limestone Democratic Headquarters Building c. 1850s . Originally there
702-417: The 2022 Kansas abortion referendum , an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 81% to 19%, outpacing its support of Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election . The Douglas County Sheriff's office has two divisions, Corrections, which operates a 185-bed jail, and Operations. The Operations Division includes a dive team, a patrol, and a warrants unit. The department works with other local police agencies at
756-705: 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 . In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France via the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso , although
810-930: The Lecompton Constitution (which would have admitted Kansas into the Union as a slave state), the Wakarusa War (1855), the Sack of Lawrence (1856), Battle of Black Jack (1856), and the Lawrence Massacre (1863). The first railroad in Douglas County, the Kansas Pacific, was built through that territory in 1864. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 475 square miles (1,230 km ), of which 456 square miles (1,180 km )
864-482: The Lecompton Constitution , under which Kansas would have been a slave state . The constitution was rejected by Congress after intense national debate and was one of the prime topics of the Lincoln-Douglas debates . The controversy contributed to the growing dispute soon to erupt in civil war. The Lecompton Constitution failed, in part, because the antislavery party won control of the territorial legislature in
918-467: The University of Kansas , Lawrence Police Department , Eudora , and Baldwin City. As of 2021 the sheriff is Jay T. Armbrister. Douglas County is served by seven school districts. Clinton Lake , completed in 1980, offers boating, fishing and other water sports and various parks surrounding the lake provides camping and trails for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. Lone Star Lake
972-532: The census of 2000, there were 99,962 people, 38,486 households, and 21,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 219 people per square mile (85 people/km ). There were 40,250 housing units at an average density of 88 per square mile (34/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 86.1% White , 4.2% Black or African American , 2.6% Native American , 3.1% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 1.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races . Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.3% of
1026-615: The de jure territorial capital until the victorious free-state leaders officially chose Topeka as capital when Kansas became a state on January 29, 1861. The American Civil War began on April 12, 1861. In 1865, the United Brethren Church established a university in Lecompton. Occupying the Rowena hotel that was originally built for the Territorial Legislature and visitors, the university later built
1080-471: The GOP carried the county in every election between 1968 and 1988. During this time, Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Michael Dukakis in 1988 were the only Democrats to come reasonably close to carrying the county. However, the growing transformation of Lawrence into a liberal academic center has pulled the county into the Democratic column in every election since 1992. This was typical of many counties around
1134-697: The Kansas Register for Historic Places. With the building's addition to the historic register, Lecompton now has four buildings on either Kansas or national registers. The other three are Constitutional Hall, where two state constitutions were drafted in the 1850s in hopes of bringing Kansas into the union as a slave state; the Democratic Headquarters from the Bleeding Kansas era; and the Lane University building, which
SECTION 20
#17327660468111188-496: The Lecompton Historical Society. Two blocks away is Constitution Hall, where the infamous Lecompton Constitution was written in 1857. Constitution Hall is a museum operated by the Kansas Historical Society . In the 1880s, there was some dissension in the United Brethren Church concerning secret organizations, causing the congregation to split. One group built another church on adjoining land which they named
1242-558: The Radical United Brethren Church. It burned about 1902 and a limestone church building replaced it. The former church was used as the Lecompton City Hall until about 2006, when a newer city hall was built in the old Lecompton Fire Station. The limestone church building is now a community building and a Douglas County sheriff's substation. In 2016, the Radical United Brethren Church was placed on
1296-536: The age of 18 and 2.0% of those ages 65 or over. As of the census of 2010, there were 625 people, 240 households, and 162 families residing in the city. The population density was 353.1 inhabitants per square mile (136.3/km). There were 254 housing units at an average density of 143.5 per square mile (55.4/km). The racial makeup of the city was 94.9% White , 0.5% African American , 2.2% Native American , 0.5% Asian , 0.3% from other races , and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of
1350-472: The area of Lecompton, Kanwaka , and Clinton townships; Washington took the place of Marion and Willow Springs townships; Wakarusa comprised both Wakarusa and Eudora townships; and Calhoun was the original name of Palmyra township. Grant township was annexed from Jefferson County in 1874. Lane University Lane University was a college located in Lecompton, Kansas , United States. It
1404-399: The average family size was 2.97. In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.4% under the age of 18, 26.4% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males. The median income for a household in
1458-403: The average family size was 3.06. In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males. The median income for a household in the city
1512-807: The chapel in 1885. Today Lane University is a museum known as the Territorial Capital Museum , dedicated to Kansas history before the Civil War. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Lane University is not to be confused with Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee . This article about a property in Kansas on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Kansas museum-related article
1566-421: The city. The population density was 677.9 inhabitants per square mile (261.7/km). There were 233 housing units at an average density of 259.8 per square mile (100.3/km). The racial makeup of the city was 93.59% White , 0.16% African American , 2.96% Native American , 0.66% Asian , 0.16% Pacific Islander , 0.16% from other races , and 2.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of
1620-448: The country dominated by college towns. In 2004, John Kerry became only the second Democrat to win a majority of the county's vote. Since then, Douglas County has been one of the most Democratic counties in Kansas. In 2016 and 2020, for instance, Donald Trump turned in the worst showings on record for a Republican in the county without the presence of a credible third-party challenger on the ballot. The county overwhelmingly voted "No" on
1674-458: The county include Eileen Horn (10th District), Barbara Ballard (44th District), Mike Amyx (45th District), and Dennis Highberger (46th District); Republican state representatives include Jim Karleskint (42nd District), and Ken Corbet (54th District). The three state senators representing the county, Marci Francisco (2nd District), Tom Holland (3rd District), and Anthony Hensley (19th District), are all Democrats. Douglas County has
Lecompton, Kansas - Misplaced Pages Continue
1728-672: The county include the Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City every third full weekend in October. Lecompton 's Territorial Days take place every year in June and Lawrence has many parades throughout the year including Christmas and St. Patrick's Day . Other major highways include: Douglas County also maintains an extensive network of county highways to serve the rural areas of the county. None of these county highways
1782-547: The county was $ 37,547, and the median income for a family was $ 53,991. Males had a median income of $ 35,577 versus $ 27,225 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 19,952. About 6.2% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over. In recent years, since the 1990s, the Democratic Party has been dominant in Douglas County. Democrats control all County-wide offices in
1836-474: The county. Douglas County is currently served by county commissioners Patrick Kelly, Shannon Reid, and Karen Willey, all are Democrats. According to the Kansas Secretary of State's office, as of July 2021, there were 35,146 registered Democrats, 22,324 registered Republicans, 900 registered Libertarians, and 21,474 Independents in the county. Democratic state representatives representing portions of
1890-572: The election of 1857. The new legislature met at Constitution Hall and immediately began to abolish the pro-slavery laws of what they called the Bogus Legislature , the territory's pro-slavery lawmakers since July 1855. The free-staters briefly attempted to move the territorial capital to Minneola through a vote, although the resulting bill was later vetoed by Kansas territorial governor James W. Denver , and ruled void by U.S. Attorney General Jeremiah S. Black . As such, Lecompton remained
1944-574: The former country kept title to about 7,500 square miles. 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, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state . In 1855, Douglas County was established. Douglas County was opened for settlement on May 15, 1854, and
1998-412: The latter part of this period, when the county seat was moved there. This time period was known as Bleeding Kansas , due to the violence perpetrated by the pro-slavery, and to a lesser extent the anti-slavery, factions in the eastern part of the state. Lecompton was a hotbed of pro-slavery sentiment during the mid-1800s. Lecompton was founded in 1854, on a bluff on the south bank of the Kansas River . It
2052-423: The median household income was $ 61,458 (with a margin of error of +/- $ 26,139) and the median family income was $ 75,250 (+/- $ 38,228). Males had a median income of $ 26,389 (+/- $ 19,491) versus $ 28,365 (+/- $ 5,820) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $ 27,981 (+/- $ 8,067). Approximately, 15.2% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 33.1% of those under
2106-404: The move, and today can be found on the campus of Holton High School . The Lane University building was then used for the high school in Lecompton until a larger brick building was built just to the south of it in 1926. The Lane University building fell into disrepair. In the 1970s, the community raised funds to rehabilitate the old building to become the Territorial Capital Museum , maintained by
2160-555: The namesake honor, and then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound before he could carry out his promise. In 1865 The university was first located in what had been the Rowena Hotel. In 1865 the state donated to the university 13 acres of land that included the foundation of what had been intended to be the Kansas Territorial Capitol building at Lecompton. A college building was erected on the south half of
2214-614: The old foundation in 1882. The Church of the United Brethren in Christ owned and controlled the school during its entire history. Almost all of the presidents were pastors. In 1900 it had 11 faculty members and 178 enrolled students. In 1902 Lane University was united with Campbell University to form Campbell College (Kansas) . It closed in 1933. David Eisenhower and Ida Stover, the parents of former president Dwight D. Eisenhower , met at Lane University as students and married in
Lecompton, Kansas - Misplaced Pages Continue
2268-406: The population. There were 228 households, out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and
2322-438: The population. There were 240 households, of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.5% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
2376-410: The population. There were 38,486 households , out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.0% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and
2430-434: The vote in every election between 1920 and 1960 (except 1932 when Herbert Hoover received 58.7 percent). This tradition was broken in 1964, when the conservative sentiment and Western origins of Barry Goldwater drove the county into Lyndon B. Johnson 's hands, making Johnson the first Democrat ever to carry the county. Even then, however, Goldwater managed 45 percent of the county's vote. With more moderate GOP candidates,
2484-523: Was $ 38,281, and the median income for a family was $ 46,111. Males had a median income of $ 37,813 versus $ 20,577 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 15,433. About 4.4% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 3.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over. The community is served by Perry–Lecompton USD 343 public school district. School unification consolidated Perry and Lecompton schools forming USD 343 in 1970. Perry-Lecompton High School
2538-427: Was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age in the city was 36.7 years. 29% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 608 people, 228 households, and 168 families residing in
2592-420: Was 2.72% (16) of the population. Of the 247 households, 34.4% had children under the age of 18; 44.9% were married couples living together; 25.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 25.5% of households consisted of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.2 and the average family size was 3.5. The percent of those with
2646-487: Was 334.9 per square mile (129.3/km). There were 265 housing units at an average density of 150.9 per square mile (58.3/km). The racial makeup was 86.39% (508) white or European American (85.88% non-Hispanic white ), 1.19% (7) black or African-American , 2.38% (14) Native American or Alaska Native , 0.51% (3) Asian , 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian , 2.04% (12) from other races , and 7.48% (44) from two or more races . Hispanic or Latino of any race
2700-522: Was a log cabin connected to the west side of this building located on East Second Street. The historic building was moved to Riverview Park, a public park along the south limestone bluff of the Kansas River, overlooking the Kaw Valley basin to the north. As of 2015, downtown Lecompton had an antique shop, cafe/diner, art shop, and an automobile restoration garage. A convenience store/meat market
2754-416: Was founded in 1865 by Rev. Solomon Weaver , the first president, and was named after U.S. Senator James H. Lane . Jim Lane was a main free-state leader, and Lecompton was previously the capital of the opposing pro-slavery faction. Local tradition notes that a funding drive to construct the university promised to name it after the major contributor. Allegedly, James H. Lane made the largest pledge, received
SECTION 50
#17327660468112808-403: Was located on the edge of the city. The City of Lecompton bought the old Lecompton High School from the local school district and began remodeling it into a community building. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 1.78 square miles (4.61 km), of which, 1.77 square miles (4.58 km) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km) is water. The climate
2862-413: Was named for Stephen A. Douglas , a senator from Illinois . The county was practically at the center of the Bleeding Kansas years as leaders in Lecompton (the territorial capital) wanted Kansas to be a slave state, whereas leaders in Lawrence wanted Kansas to be a free state . The pro- and anti-slavery settlers held great animosity towards one another, leading to many events, such as the drafting of
2916-458: Was originally called Bald Eagle, and was renamed Lecompton in honor of Samuel Dexter Lecompte , the chief justice of the territorial Supreme Court. In August 1855, the city became the capital of the Kansas Territory after President Franklin Pierce appointed Andrew Horatio Reeder as governor and charged him and his officials with establishing government offices in Lecompton. The city soon became
#810189