Cityof
Claflin
BARTON COUNTY
94
SUSANK ODIN
GALATIA
CLAFLIN
BEAVER OLMITZ HOISINGTON
ALBERT
PAWNEE ROCK
GREAT BEND ELLINWOOD
Claflin worth smiling about
T
he sign along K-156 advertising the Barton County community of Claflin reads “If you can’t stop, smile as you go by.” There are plenty of reasons to do just that. Travel along Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway and it won’t be long before you find Claflin, where the famed Millers of Claflin furniture store is located. The store was a finalist of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce in 2010 during the year-long Kansas Sampler Foundation’s 8 Wonders of Kansas promotion. The buildings, owned by Millers, have been painted to look like a scenic old-time western townscape from a Hollywood movie set, and set the tone for the rest of Main Street. Recently, local business owners have leased space and opened offices, a beauty salon, and most recently a restaurant and bar, to serve the population of 648. The Claflin town company was formed in 1887, and with the first established business being a lumber yard, Claflin began to build and grow. A year later saw the start of a local newspaper and two schools,
both a public and a Catholic school. The town incorporated in 1901, with H.E. Hill as its first elected mayor. Schools have always been important to the people of Claflin and the surrounding area. Four communities make up USD 112 Central Plains. Claflin, nearby Holyrood and Bushton, and further north, the city of Wilson. Each town retains a school, with elementary students attending classes in Holyrood, middle schoolers at Bushton, and high school students at Claflin. Wilson students attend K-12 in Wilson. Every other year, the Claflin All-School reunion is held, and it is a cause for celebration that lasts the entire weekend. The Claflin Area Pride organization also organizes other community events, including the city-wide garage sale in the spring, and the Claflin Christmas Market, the annual Christmas tree lighting and an Easter egg hunt. For the past two years, CAP has been raising money to purchase and erect welcome signs at the east and west entrances of the city limits. Health and heritage are also important to the people of Claflin.
City Council Mayor – Michael Urban Councilman – Dusty Daniels Councilman – Casey Hubbard Councilman – Robert Gunder Councilman – Doug Hubbard Councilman – Dan Michaelis
City Departments City Clerk – Patricia Schmidt 620-587-3707 City Attorney – Robert Suelter 620-793-4114 Superintendent of Utilities – Richard Hayes - 620-588-3723 Police Chief – Gregg Vannoster 620-587-3344 Fire Chief – Doug Hubbard 620-587-3498
City Council members meet at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the City Hall, 111 E. Hamilton. Council members can be contacted through the City Hall office, Medical Care Clara Barton Hospital 620-587-3707. 205 W. 9th St., Hoisington 620-653-2114
That is why they have transformed the old school buildings at 400 Main Street into the Claflin Community and Wellness Center, complete with gym equipment and 24-hour card access. New residents can stop by the City Hall and ask for details. The old school is also home to Claflin’s History Museum, thanksin large part to the efforts of the Miller Family. The museum contains artifacts dating back to the founding of the town. A phone number posted provides contact information for those wishing to visit the self-guided museum, and it remains open for special celebrations happening in town around the holidays and for class reunions. The Miller Family helped spur the creation of this museum after the previous building that housed the museum was condemned and the artifacts put into storage. Donations raised by the community have made it possible to supply a handicapped stair lift for visitors that have difficulty managing stairs. It is located at the south entrance of the building. Surrounding the school, there is an interactive fun-walk UTILITIES AND SERVICES Electricity Midwest Energy, 800-222-3121 Natural Gas Kansas Gas Service, 800-794-4780 Animal Control Claflin Police Department 620-587-3344 Recycling Drop off located at City Shop 710 W. Front U.S. Post Office 218 Main Street, 620-587-3935
for parents and young children, to encourage exercise, reading, and bonding time. Seniors in Claflin meet the third Wednesday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Claflin Community Center for a birthday coffee and program. On the second Tuesday of the month, they play bingo at the Claflin Community Center from 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Not far west from Claflin, and also along the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway is an overlook of the Cheyenne Bottoms State Wildlife Area. In 2017, a new handicapped accessible pavilion replaced the older structure. For a brief period from 1945 to 1946, the Cheyenne Bottoms basin was used as a bombing and artillery range by the US Army Air Corps. In 1957, it became a dedicated waterfowl management area by the Kansas State Parks and Wildlife. In 1988, it was designated a “Wetland of International Importance.” During dry years, there may be no standing water, but in wet years, one or two feet of water may cover the Bottoms area. Library Librarian, Pam Atteberry 620-587-3488 Independent Township Library 108 Main St. Hours: Monday: 3:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Thursday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - noon Closed Wednesday and Sunday Zip Code 67525
