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
Winfield is a beautifull town, wouldnt mind living there myself, I know a few who commute to Wichita to work. They just voted to allow liquor sales in town for the first time in about 50 years.
This is Kansas. Our tornados deliver people to a different destination...somewhere over the rainbow...way up high...where troubles melt like lemon drops...high above the chimney tops...
Flatter than a table top; Makes you wonder why they'd stop here. In the great migration west, separated from the rest; They tried their very best, but they never caught the sun.
Great song.
I'm currently on disability which from all indications may retire me.... that's why the move. I'd rather retire in KS than the East Coast.
I heard about the liquor sales... my wife will be happy - she won't have to run to Ark City for Ma's occasional 6 pack.
100'X 130' isnt quite a big enough lot for me, I have no interest in waking up in a house so close to my neighbor I can see into his house. "Give me 40 acres and I will turn this rig around." Its a good song and makes good neighbors.
~ticket doing 90 in that stretch of nowhere...I did.~
Me too. Back when the speed limit was still 55 (around 1980 or so), I got stopped for doing 65 in west Kansas on the interstate. Cost about $75 then. The officer was proud of himself and told me that he knew I had a radar detector and a CB radio so he stayed a mile behind me and clocked me with mile markers. I was traveling between bases then and kept my Air Force blues (complete with Security Police badge) in full view hanging behind me.....lot of good it did! Last ticket I ever got (knocking on my wood desk as I speak).
Apparently you are not already married.
In Western Kansas that is a big city!
I've gotten three tickets, and NONE was anything where I could have spotted the cops. All were either coming the OTHER direction or shooting from a hidden stationary position and radioing ahead to pull over cars.
I hate it when that happens.
Now, I respect timing cops. At least they show you they're thinking. I'm hopefully done with tickets myself (jinx jinx jinx) having gotten my last one in 2001.
Speed limits here in Colorado are 75 mph - from the Kansas border to Denver is about 200 miles.
But ... the first Boot Hill was in Hays, Kansas. Must never forget.
Working with the bank.
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