El Dorado, Kansas

History

El Dorado was laid out and platted in 1868. The name is of Spanish origin meaning "golden land". El Dorado was incorporated in 1870.

In 1877, the Florence, El Dorado, and Walnut Valley Railroad Company built a branch line from Florence to El Dorado; in 1881 it was extended to Douglass, and later to Arkansas City. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to El Dorado was abandoned in 1942. The original branch line connected Florence, Burns, De Graff, El Dorado, Augusta, Douglass, Rock, Akron, Winfield and Arkansas City.

In 1915, the El Dorado Oil Field was the first oil field that was found using science/geologic mapping, and part of the Mid-Continent oil province. By 1918, the El Dorado Oil Field was the largest single field producer in the United States, and was responsible for 12.8% of national oil production and 9% of the world production. It was deemed by some as "the oil field that won World War I".

In 1916, there was an anti-black race riot in El Dorado after an incident between a black shoe shiner and a white oil worker. Large numbers of black families removed their household goods and moved out of El Dorado.

In 1943, German and Italian prisoners of World War II were brought to Kansas and other Midwest states as a means of solving the labor shortage caused by American men serving in the war effort. Large internment camps were established in Kansas: Camp Concordia, Camp Funston (at Fort Riley), Camp Phillips (at Salina under Fort Riley). Fort Riley established 12 smaller branch camps, including El Dorado. Prisoners commonly volunteered to help work on local farms; this enabled them to spend time outside the camp, socialize and eat better food than that provided by prison guards. In some cases, smaller structures constructed by the work details still stand.

On June 10, 1958, an F4 tornado hit El Dorado, killing 13 people and injuring at least 80. In 2008, the city built a memorial at Graham Park in remembrance of the dead.

Geography

El Dorado is situated along the western bank of the Walnut River, southwest of El Dorado Lake. It is located 30 mi east-northeast of Wichita at the junction of U.S. Routes 54 and 77 and K-254. The Kansas Turnpike, designated as Interstate 35, bypasses the city to the northwest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.92 sqmi, of which 8.86 sqmi is land and 0.06 sqmi 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 system, El Dorado has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

|Jan record high F = 78 |Feb record high F = 84 |Mar record high F = 94 |Apr record high F = 99 |May record high F = 101 |Jun record high F = 108 |Jul record high F = 117 |Aug record high F = 116 |Sep record high F = 112 |Oct record high F = 98 |Nov record high F = 85 |Dec record high F = 80

|Jan avg record high F = 66.0 |Feb avg record high F = 71.3 |Mar avg record high F = 79.8 |Apr avg record high F = 85.9 |May avg record high F = 89.9 |Jun avg record high F = 95.4 |Jul avg record high F = 100.1 |Aug avg record high F = 99.6 |Sep avg record high F = 95.1 |Oct avg record high F = 87.0 |Nov avg record high F = 75.6 |Dec avg record high F = 66.5 |year avg record high F = 101.6

|Jan avg record low F = 3.3 |Feb avg record low F = 6.9 |Mar avg record low F = 15.4 |Apr avg record low F = 28.1 |May avg record low F = 40.0 |Jun avg record low F = 53.9 |Jul avg record low F = 59.9 |Aug avg record low F = 57.6 |Sep avg record low F = 42.9 |Oct avg record low F = 29.1 |Nov avg record low F = 16.9 |Dec avg record low F = 8.1 |year avg record low F = -0.1

|Jan record low F = -23 |Feb record low F = -28 |Mar record low F = -10 |Apr record low F = 12 |May record low F = 25 |Jun record low F = 43 |Jul record low F = 44 |Aug record low F = 42 |Sep record low F = 28 |Oct record low F = 12 |Nov record low F = -4 |Dec record low F = -18

|Jan snow depth inch = |Feb snow depth inch = |Mar snow depth inch = |Apr snow depth inch = |May snow depth inch = |Jun snow depth inch = |Jul snow depth inch = |Aug snow depth inch = |Sep snow depth inch = |Oct snow depth inch = |Nov snow depth inch = |Dec snow depth inch = |year snow depth inch =

|access-date = November 21, 2023 |access-date = November 21, 2023

Demographics

| align-fn = center 2010-2020 El Dorado is part of the Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 12,870 people, 5,136 households, and 3,096 families in El Dorado. The racial makeup was 85.78% (11,040) white or European American (83.92% non-Hispanic white), 2.93% (377) black or African-American, 0.96% (123) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.58% (75) Asian, 0.09% (11) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.72% (222) from other races, and 7.94% (1,022) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 5.39% (694) of the population.

Of the 5,136 households, 29.3% had children under the age of 18; 40.0% were married couples living together; 31.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 33.5% of households consisted of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 17.2% of the population.

23.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 12.7% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 103.7 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $41,467 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,317) and the median family income was $70,552 (+/- $5,024). Males had a median income of $36,223 (+/- $4,176) versus $26,357 (+/- $2,963) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $31,747 (+/- $1,963). Approximately, 9.8% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under the age of 18 and 21.1% of those ages 65 or over.

Ancestry in El Dorado is 20.3% German, 11.6% Irish, 10.9% English, 2.5% French, 2.4% Scottish, 2.0% Italian, 0.4% Norwegian, 0.2% Polish, and 0.2% Sub Saharan African.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 13,021 people, 5,227 households, and 3,277 families residing in the city. The population density was 1469.6 PD/sqmi. There were 5,797 housing units at an average density of 654.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 91.8% White, 2.3% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.7% of the population.

There were 5,227 households, of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.3% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age in the city was 34 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 14.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the U.S. Census in 2000, there were 12,057 people, 5,068 households, and 3,182 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,894.1 PD/sqmi. There were 5,460 housing units at an average density of 857.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 94.32% White, 1.37% Black or African American, 1.07% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.06% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.93% of the population.

There were 5,068 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,098, and the median income for a family was $40,461. Males had a median income of $31,648 versus $21,806 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,458. About 10.4% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The El Dorado Refinery is currently owned and operated by HollyFrontier, is situated on the southwest edge of El Dorado. It was constructed and originally owned by what would later become Skelly Oil. Later, the refinery changed hands and was rebranded after Skelly was purchased by Getty Oil, and then rebranded again after Texaco attempted to purchase Getty. In 2011 it was rebranded again when Frontier Oil and Holly Corporation merged. El Dorado Refinery is the largest in Kansas. Capacity is 135000 oilbbl/d, with production split up into gasoline (55% of production); diesel and jet fuel (34% of production); and asphalt, chemicals and other refined petroleum products (11% percent of production).

Education

El Dorado is home to Butler Community College.

Most of the community is served by El Dorado USD 490 public school district, which has one high school, one middle school, and three grade schools.

The west side of El Dorado is served by Circle USD 375 public school district, located in the city of Towanda (west of El Dorado).

Sports

Butler Community College fields teams in both men's (mascot: Grizzlies) and women's (mascot: Lady Grizzlies) sports. Butler competes in the NJCAA's Jayhawk Conference, and its teams have won numerous league and national accolades. Butler's football team has won five NJCAA national championships (1981, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2008), and also played in the NJCAA championship game in 2004 and 2010. The 1985 squad also finished the season ranked #1 nationally. The program has produced numerous NFL players, most notably Rudi Johnson. Butler's men's basketball program also has a rich tradition, including a national championship in 1953, NJCAA national tournament runners-up in 1992 and 1993, a national tournament third-place finish in 1996, seven Jayhawk Conference championships since 1990, four NJCAA players of the year, ten NJCAA All-Americans, and three NBA draft picks. Notable former Grizzlies with NBA experience include Stephen Jackson, Tony Allen, and Kasib Powell. Butler's men's and women's track and cross-country teams also have won numerous conference, regional, and national accolades.

broncosThe El Dorado Broncos were a summer amateur baseball team composed primarily of college players. The team competed within the Jayhawk League as part of the National Baseball Congress, or NBC. The Broncos have won three NBC World Series in 1996, 1998 and 2009. Several former Broncos players currently play in Major League Baseball, including Nate Robertson and Heath Bell .

Culture

In April 2010, the Hot Rod Cafe (formerly the El Dorado theater on Main Street) was filmed for the documentary reality television series American Pickers episode "Easy Riders", which aired July 26, 2010.

The 1969 film The Gypsy Moths was filmed in part in El Dorado. It featured Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Gene Hackman, William Windom and Bonnie Bedelia.

Country music artist Zach Bryan references the town on the song "El Dorado" from his self-titled 2023 album.

Parks and recreation

The City of El Dorado maintains an extensive parks and recreation system, including: 12 neighborhood parks, 12 playgrounds, five soccer fields, four baseball fields, four softball fields, two spray parks, two pools, two tennis courts, two outdoor basketball courts, a baseball stadium, an 18-hole disc golf course, and a 6.3 mile bike path.

In addition, the community boasts a new athletic complex. The venue was completed in 2012 by the Educational Facilities Authority of Butler County, which consists of representatives from the City of El Dorado, Butler Community College, and El Dorado USD 490 public school district. The complex provides a venue for football, soccer, track and other community events.

El Dorado State Park is also located just beyond the city limits and provides many recreational activities, such as boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, horse trails and archery.

Media

Print

• Butler County Times-Gazette, local newspaper in El Dorado.
• The Wichita Eagle, major regional newspaper in Wichita.

Radio

El Dorado is served by numerous radio stations of the Wichita-Hutchinson listening market area, and satellite radio. See Media in Wichita, Kansas.

Television

El Dorado is served by over-the-air ATSC digital TV of the Wichita-Hutchinson viewing market area, cable TV, and satellite TV. See Media in Wichita, Kansas.

Notable people

• Granville Pearl Aikman, Kansas state judge, attorney
• Beals Becker, major league baseball player
• Tom Borland, major league baseball pitcher
• Steve Brodie, actor
• Bobby Douglass, NFL football player
• Stanley Dunham, maternal grandfather of Barack Obama
• Alfred W. Ellet, Brigadier General in U.S. Civil War
• Maude Fulton, Broadway stage actress, playwright, screenwriter
• Ralph Graham, college football coach, pioneer of racial integration in college sports
• Sarah D. Grant, Arizona Court of Appeals judge, attorney
• Alex Graves, film director, television director, television producer, screenwriter
• Larry Hartshorn former NFL football player
• Roger Marshall, former United States Representative, US Senator from Kansas, obstetrician
• Marion Koogler McNay, artist, philanthropist, founder of McNay Art Museum
• Robert L. Rodgers, US Congressman
• Emily Sander, murder victim
• Almon Brown Strowger, inventor of Strowger switch
• Mort Walker, cartoonist, creator of Beetle Bailey
• William Allen White, journalist
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References

References

1. [https://eldoks.com/379/Meet-the-Commission Mayor; City of El Dorado.]
2. [https://eldoks.com/252/City-Manager City Manager; City of El Dorado.]
3. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
4. {{GNIS. 485567
5. "Profile of El Dorado, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau.
6. "QuickFacts; El Dorado, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau.
7. Kansas State Historical Society. (1916). "Biennial Report of the Board of Directors of the Kansas State Historical Society". Kansas State Printing Plant.
8. Mooney, Vol. P.. (1916). "History of Butler County Kansas". Standard Publishing Company.
9. ''Marion County Kansas : Past and Present''; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House; [[LCCN]] 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
10. [http://www.abandonedrails.com/Florence_to_El_Dorado Railway Abandonment 1942]. Abandonedrails.com. Retrieved on January 12, 2017.
11. [http://www.kansastravel.org/stapletonoilwell.htm Stapleton Oil Well Number 1; Kansas Travel]. Kansastravel.org (October 6, 1915). Retrieved on 2017-01-12.
12. link. (February 4, 2019 . Kansassampler.org (October 6, 1915). Retrieved on 2017-01-12.)
13. [https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70019374 The discovery and development of the El Dorado oil field; USGS; 1997]. Pubs.er.usgs.gov. Retrieved on January 12, 2017.
14. (December 13, 1916). "El Dorado Chased All the Negroes Out of the City". Arkansas City Daily Traveler.
15. (December 15, 1916). "Race Riot Trouble Has Been Settled - Blacks Move Out". The Wichita Beacon.
16. [http://www.gentracer.org/powcampsKS.html List of Prisoner Of War (POW) Camps in Kansas]. Gentracer.org. Retrieved on January 12, 2017.
17. Day, Will. (2023-06-09). ""65th Anniversary of the 1958 El Dorado tornado Saturday"".
18. {{usurped
19. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
20. [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=104251&cityname=El+Dorado%2C+Kansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for El Dorado, Kansas]. Weatherbase.com. Retrieved on January 12, 2017.
21. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau.
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24. "Gazetteer Files".
25. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE".
26. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE".
27. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT".
28. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)".
29. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)".
30. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS".
31. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES".
32. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
33. (April 2020}}{{cbignore). "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau.
34. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
35. [http://www.hollyfrontier]{{Dead link. (August 2019)
36. {{usurped
37. [http://www.frontieroil.com/en/cms/?210 El Dorado Kansas – Frontier Refining, Inc. – Frontier Oil Corporation, Staff, Offices] {{webarchive. link. (September 4, 2007)
38. (December 2011). "A Winning Tradition". Butler Community College.
39. "National Prominence and Tradition". Butler Community College.
40. "NBC World Series Finalists". National Baseball Congress.
41. (July 22, 2011). "Heath Bell Named NBC Graduate of the Year". National Baseball Congress.
42. [http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/16779223/206-S-Main-St-El-Dorado-KS/ 206 S. Main St., El Dorado, KS, 67042 – Theatre/Performing Arts Property For Sale on]. Loopnet.com (July 30, 2010). Retrieved on 2017-01-12.
43. [http://www.eldoradotimes.com/newsnow/x959536585/Hot-Rod-Cafe-to-be-on-American-Pickers-Monday-evening Hot Rod Cafe to be on American Pickers Monday evening] {{Webarchive. link. (August 29, 2010 , Julie Clements, ''El Dorado Times'', July 23, 2010 (retrieved September 21, 2010))
44. "Zach Bryan – El Dorado".
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46. [http://www.kansas.com/ Breaking News, Sports, Weather & More {{! Kansas.com & The Wichita Eagle]. Kansas.com. Retrieved on January 12, 2017.
47. [http://www.ontheradio.net/metro/wichita_ks.aspx Wichita-Hutchinson Radio market.] {{Webarchive. link. (October 22, 2011 . None. Retrieved on January 12, 2017.)
48. [http://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/Wichita-Hutchinson Wichita-Hutchinson TV market]. Stationindex.com. Retrieved on January 12, 2017.
49. "Larry Hartshorn Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards". Football.com.
50. "MARSHALL, Roger Wayne".