Wabaunsee, Kansas
Beecher Bible and Rifle Church, located at the southeast corner of Chapel and Elm Streets
Beecher Bible and Rifle Church, located at the southeast corner of Chapel and Elm Streets
KDOT map of Wabaunsee County (legend)
KDOT map of Wabaunsee County (legend)
Wabaunsee is located in Kansas
Wabaunsee
Wabaunsee
Wabaunsee is located in the United States
Wabaunsee
Wabaunsee
Coordinates: 39°08′46″N 96°20′46″W / 39.14611°N 96.34611°W / 39.14611; -96.34611[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyWabaunsee
TownshipWabaunsee
Founded1855
Named forChief Waubonsie
Elevation1,030 ft (310 m)
Population
  Total104
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
  Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code785
FIPS code20-74225
GNIS ID476423 [1]

Wabaunsee is an unincorporated community in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, United States.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population of the community and nearby areas was 104.[2] It was named for former Pottawatomi chief Wabaunsee.

History

Wabaunsee was founded in 1855 by a group of nearly 100 emigrants from New Haven, Connecticut. They were inspired by a sermon given by well-known abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher, who gave money to help supply rifles for the men to defend themselves. The rifles were smuggled through pro-slavery areas in crates marked "Beecher's Bibles."

Wabaunsee was staunchly anti-slavery and became part of the Underground Railroad in late 1856 and helped Lawrence after Quantrill's Raid. In 1862, the Beecher Bible and Rifle Church was completed and after the Civil War Wabaunsee hoped for a railroad but it was constructed north of the river.

Wabaunsee served as the county seat until after the Civil War, when the seat was transferred to Alma.[3]

Today, the community consists of several houses and buildings including the church which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Wabaunsee is located about a half mile south of the Kansas River. It is located in Wabaunsee Township along K-18 two miles west of K-99.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
2020104
U.S. Decennial Census

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined this community as a census-designated place (CDP).

Wabaunsee is part of the Topeka, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Education

The community is served by Wamego USD 320 public school district.

Transportation

I-70 is about nine miles south of Wabaunsee and US-24 is three miles north in Wamego. Most of the community is situated on the south side of K-18. Streets are maintained by the local county.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wabaunsee, Kansas
  2. 1 2 "Profile of Wabaunsee, Kansas (CDP) in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  3. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 850.

Further reading

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