Google interactive satellite photo of the huge metropolis of Atwood.
Posted on 05/04/2005 2:02:18 AM PDT by ajolympian2004
ATWOOD, Kan. - A hundred and forty years after the Homestead Act helped populate the American West, small towns in Kansas are turning to it again, to draw new residents and new economic development.
Three hours east of Denver, Atwood, Kansas is losing ground. Census figures from 2000 showed 1,279 people living there, about a hundred fewer than in 1994. So, back in November, city leaders decided to offer home-sized lots for free to anyone willing to build.
"I'm getting interest from every state of the union and Mexico," said Arlene Bliss, director of economic development for Rawlins County, KS. "I had two couples from Los Angeles on Friday looking at homes, and two from Chicago."
Bliss says the town is a wonderful place to live, with high-speed Internet access, a hospital, good schools, a movie theatre, nine restaurants and eight churches.
After 30 years of living in Denver, Richard Smith and his wife, Virginia, agree. They retired to Atwood, and recently joined a big tableful of friends at the Snack Shack restaurant.
"We feel like we do have it all," said Richard.
"You can't ask for better people. They care," said Virginia.
"We do have a lot of people from Denver looking at our community, a lot who've come here and retired," said Bliss. "It's just a friendly 240 miles from Denver."
Pastor David Jones at the Atwood Baptist Church doesn't know if the free land idea is a good one, but agrees something needs to be done. In his nine years in town, he's observed the declining population, and blames an economy which has been too reliant on agriculture.
"We need someone to bring businesses in, manufacturing, labor positions, skilled jobs, things like that where western Kansas can build something," he said.
He says Atwood has hardworking, good people and a company willing to invest in the future of a small town would find a great workforce there.
Free lots in Atwood range in size up to about 110 by 130 feet, said Bliss. Would-be residents would need pre-approved loans, and would have to submit their building plans for approval. Additionally they'd have to promise to build the house within one year of approval. All lots are on city water and sewer, and building costs average about $106 per square foot.
The free land deal is drawing attention to the affordable pre-built homes available in town, said Bliss. "You can buy your typical 3-bedroom ranch home somewhere around $100,000 or $110,000," she said.
Atwood's free lot program hasn't had any takers yet, but some other communities in Kansas that have tried similar programs have experienced success. According to www.kansasfreeland.com, at least eight towns and counties have free land packages available now. Atwood, in northwestern Kansas, is the closest to the Denver area, but Plainville, Lincoln, Minneapolis, Ellsworth County, Marquette, Eureka and Chetopa are also listed.
Without some sort of development plan, Atwood's future is in doubt, according to 17-year-old Lisa Chessmore, a waitress at My Place, a café. "All the kids that are graduating are moving out of Atwood and all the old people are passing away. It's just kind of going down from there," she says.
For more information about the free land program in Atwood, call 785-626-3017 or write to Bliss c/o 403 N. 2nd, Atwood, KS, 67730.
Related Links:
Town of Atwood, Kansas website: http://www.atwoodkansas.com/free.html
Kansas Freeland website: http://www.kansasfreeland.com/
written by: Demetria Gallegos Writer
reported by: Gregg Moss 9NEWS Business Reporter
Sounds like they will attract a few good cults with that offer.
Or make a nice outpost for "New Aztlan".
Or some anarchist could settle there to be able to use illegal recreational drugs in the name of freedom and the constitution...
Oh wait, never mind, that would be a cult also.
It takes a mighty heavy foot to average 80mph for 3 consecutive hours. Must have wife with cast-ron kidney.
(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
Don't forget that Denver now stretches to the Kansas border, and the highway posted limits in Kansas are generally 70. So most people drive 80 unless a Kkop is in the neighborhood--and they usually aren't.
Of course, leave it to me to be the one dumb bastard to get a ticket doing 90 in that stretch of nowhere...I did.
No view of the ocean, but you sparked an idea. Move to Atwood, Kansas, become a farmer, marry a local woman, then plow under part of my wheat crop and build a baseball field. ;)
I worked in Atwood recently, dang nice town. It's in the middle of nowhere, which in my book is a definite plus.
(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
After we turn the global warming thermostat switch up 10 degrees, you might get some beach front property. The thermostat hasn't been working very well lately. Maybe we need an "expert" to take a look at it.
I was being serious like the movie "Field of Dreams" where Kevin Costner's character plows under part of his corn crop. I have no idea what "...marry a local woman, then plow..." refers to in the context as you quoted.
What's the population of Atwood? Free land sounds nice, but the new construction requirement and costs of over $100 per sq foot seems a bit steep. Would an old home purchase be cheaper overall?
I'd guess maybe 1500 people. I didn't live there, just worked there for a week. If it's anything like small town SD, and I think it is, you can buy an existing home for next to nothing.
From the website in the original post:
(I do not see a population number on their website, but I think it's like 1700+)
The town of Atwood, which is nestled in the heart of the picturesque Beaver Valley, is surrounded by the natural beauty of golden wheat fields and lush green ranches. A standing tribute to the early pioneers, Atwood's presence on the prairie still boasts the friendly atmosphere and hard work ethic from which the city was born. Settled in 1875, it quickly became home to immigrant families that still live, work and prosper in the heart of Rawlins County.
In April, 1875, T.A. Andrews and J.M. Matheny came to Rawlins County. They established a town site about two miles east of the present location, and named the town Attwood for Matheny's 14 year old son who accompanied his father on the journey. It became apparent that the site was on school land, so to gain clear title it was moved to the present location. In 1882, the Post Office requested the name drop one "t" becoming Atwood.
The founders of Atwood came in search of a better life and began to build a community that is rich in heritage, culture and values. Today's Atwood residents still preserve these early traditions, and continue to add to Atwood through their community involvement and determined spirit. There is no better example of the spirit that Atwood residents have for the community than the Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church built in 1906 north of town. Closed in 1979, Atwood residents raised $83,000.00 and moved the church in it’s entirety to its new home next to the Rawlins County Historical Museum, which is home to a wonderful Rawlins County Mural painted by Atwood native Rudolph Wendelin (Creator of Smokey the Bear).
Other than its constant agricultural economy, Atwood is making great strides in Economic Development, becoming an attraction for large and small businesses alike.
At the north edge of Atwood, you will find the winding Beaver Creek that feeds into Lake Atwood. This was a partially dry lake bed which Atwood residents transformed into a 43 acre recreational area that now offers fishing, picnicking, outdoor festivities and concerts. Lake Atwood is also the home of the annual Lake Atwood 10 Mile Race, which is rated as one of the top 10 road races in the country and keeps more detailed records than any other race in the world.
Nationally known as some of the best hunting grounds in the country, Atwood hosts Pheasant hunters from across the nation each Autumn. Deer, Quail, Dove and the Wild Turkey delight the hunter who finds a warm welcome and comfortable accommodations in one of Atwood's fine motels, Bed and Breakfasts or one of the several hunting lodges that dot the county's magnificent landscape.
The list of Atwood's attractions go on and on, and one thing is for sure…You're invited!
Only after a ride in a tornado. Just wait a few minutes and you'll see.
I'm moving to Winfield, KS the end of this month. There is a local fellow there that rehabs older homes and resells them. He does fantastic work. His prices range from 60k - 90k.
The cost of living there is radically lower than NJ.
No ocean, but there's a little lake in town, and sometimes it even has water in it.
Google interactive satellite photo of the huge metropolis of Atwood.
What in Gods name were you doing in Atwood man, its a nice little town, I grew up about 20 miles away from it.
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