Clafl in

Claflin Cityof

BARTON COUNTY

GALATIA SUSANK

BEAVER ODIN

CLAFLIN

OLMITZ ALBERT HOISINGTON

PAWNEE ROCK GREAT BEND

ELLINWOOD

Clafl in worth smiling about

The sign along K-156 advertising the Barton County community of Clafl in reads “If you can’t stop, smile as you go by.”

Th ere are plenty of reasons to do just that.

Travel along Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway and it won’t be long before you fi nd Clafl in, where the famed Millers of Clafl in furniture store is located. Th e store was a fi nalist of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce in 2010 during the year-long Kansas Sampler Foundation’s 8 Wonders of Kansas promotion. Th e 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 offi ces, a beauty salon, and most recently a restaurant and bar, to serve the population of 648.

Th e Clafl in town company was formed in 1887, and with the fi rst established business being a lumber yard, Clafl in 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. Th e town incorporated in 1901, with H.E. Hill as its fi rst elected mayor. Schools have always been important to the people of Clafl in and the surrounding area. Four communities make up USD 112 Central Plains. Clafl in, 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 Clafl in. Wilson students attend K-12 in Wilson. Every other year, the Clafl in All-School reunion is held, and it is a cause for celebration that lasts the entire weekend.

Th e Clafl in Area Pride organization also organizes other community events, including the city-wide garage sale in the spring, and the Clafl in 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 Clafl in. Th at is why they have transformed the old school buildings at 400 Main Street into the Clafl in 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.

Th e old school is also home to Clafl in’s History Museum, thanksin large part to the eff orts of the Miller Family. Th e 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.

Th e Miller Family helped spur the creation of this museum aft er 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 diffi culty managing stairs. It is located at the south entrance of the building. Surrounding the school, there is an interactive fun-walk for parents and young children, to encourage exercise, reading, and bonding time.

Seniors in Clafl in meet the third Wednesday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Clafl in Community Center for a birthday coff ee and program. On the second Tuesday of the month, they play bingo at the Clafl in Community Center from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Not far west from Clafl in, 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.

City Council

Mayor – Michael Urban Councilman – Dusty Daniels Councilman – Casey Hubbard Councilman – Robert Gunder Councilman – Doug Hubbard Councilman – Dan Michaelis

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, 620-587-3707.

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

Medical Care

Clara Barton Hospital 205 W. 9th St., Hoisington 620-653-2114

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

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