Parsons is a city located in Labette County, Kansas, in the southeast section of Kansas between Erie, Kansas and Oswego, Kansas along Highway 400 near Big Hill Lake and Neosho State Lake & Park. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 11,514.
Parsons is located at 37°20'21" North, 95°16'11" West (37.339070, -95.269747).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.8 km2 (10.4 mi2). 26.8 km2 (10.4 mi2) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 11,514 people, 4,738 households, and 2,909 families residing in the city. The population density is 429.1/km2 (1,111.2/mi2). There are 5,359 housing units at an average density of 199.7/km2 (517.2/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 85.54% White, 8.17% African American, 1.12% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races, and 2.84% from two or more races. 4.64% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,738 households out of which 30.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% are married couples living together, 13.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% are non-families. 33.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.96.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $28,345, and the median income for a family is $36,557. Males have a median income of $28,667 versus $21,558 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,763. 14.6% of the population and 9.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.3% of those under the age of 18 and 11.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Parsons was named after Levi Parsons, president of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. The town was founded in 1870 and incorporated the following year. During World War II it was home to the Kansas Ordnance Plant, which later operated for some years as the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant. In Spring of 2005, the munitions plant was placed on the BRAC list for closure. The community has rallied behind the current plant operator, Day and Zimmerman, to keep the company on the grounds after closure and to keep those jobs and more in the Parsons area. Parsons is also home to the Parsons State Hospital & Training Center, which has been in operation since 1903 when it was opened as the Kansas State Hospital for Epileptics. In 1957 the Hospital was renamed Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. At that time it began providing programs for individuals with mental retardation. The Hospital occupies 43 buildings on 163 acres. The hospital also includes residential services, the University Center on Developmental Disabilities and the Parsons Research Center for the University of Kansas, the Special Purpose School of the Southeast Regional Education Service Center. The Southeast Kansas Agricultural Research Center of Kansas State University is also located on the grounds.
Parsons was the birthplace of actress Zazu Pitts and jazz musician Buck Clayton aka Wilbur Dorsey Clayton and was the home town of singer Clancy Hayes.
George Pepperdine was born on June 20, 1886, to John and Mary Pepperdine, six miles south of Mound Valley, Kansas. The Pepperdines' had two other sons: Fred and Ben.
John and Mary Pepperdine sold their farm near Mound Valley in 1904 and moved to Parsons so that George and Fred could attend Professor Olson's Business College. At this point, Fred was 22 and George was 17 years of age.
George completed his training at the Business College in 1905 and secured a position; first as a bookkeeper for the gas company and then as a bookkeeper for Mr. Powers, the plumber.
John and Mary Pepperdine had grown dissatisfied with town life and wanted to return to the land. They wanted a small farm where they could raise a few turkeys, pigs, and have a good cow. John and Mary found the small farm that they wanted in 1907 near the village of Dennis, nine miles West of Parsons.
George left Parsons in 1909 and moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He founded the Western Auto Corporation the same year.
He moved to California in 1920, and founded George Pepperdine College in 1937, which later became Pepperdine University. He sold his interest in Western Auto in 1939.
George Pepperdine died July 31, 1962.
Source:
ParsonsKansas.com
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