In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.
Walton was laid out as a town site in December 1871 by William Mathews. He built a home, and this was followed by a general store and railroad section house. Because of difficulty in perfecting title to the lots, the town-site remained dormant until it was sold to J.F. Watson and he filed a plat of the town in 1876.[5] In 1871, a Kansas one room school, measuring 18 x 20 feet, was built and the first school was held by Mrs. M. J. Sharron.[9] A post office was established in Walton on December 28, 1871, Mrs. E. Peck as Postmistress.[10]
20th century
The New Santa Fe Trail road was routed through Walton in the late 1910s. Initially, the road entered the north side of the city on Walton Ave.[11][12] The trail became U.S. Route 50 in the late 1930s, when the new highway was routed northeast to southwest parallel to the railroad.
Geography
Walton is near the dividing line between the Cottonwood and Arkansas River basins and near the highest ground in Harvey County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.36 square miles (0.93 km2), all of it land.[13]
Area events
Walton Rural Life Festival, every October.[14][15]
Area attractions
Kansas Historical Marker - Red Turkey Wheat, on north side of US-50 near NE city limits.[16]
As of the census[17] of 2010, there were 235 people, 93 households, and 69 families residing in the city. The population density was 652.8 inhabitants per square mile (252.0/km2). There were 105 housing units at an average density of 291.7 per square mile (112.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.2% White, 0.4% African American, 5.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.0% of the population.
There were 93 households, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.8% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.88.
The median age in the city was 40.9 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 30.7% were from 45 to 64; and 17.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 57.0% male and 43.0% female.
As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 284 people, 109 households, and 79 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,162.6 inhabitants per square mile (448.9/km2). There were 118 housing units at an average density of 483.1 per square mile (186.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.42% White, 1.41% African American, 1.06% Native American, 1.06% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.87% of the population.
There were 109 households, out of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 129.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.4 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household was $34,375, and the median income for a family was $39,500. Males had a median income of $30,781 versus $18,882 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,679. About 9.1% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.
Government
The Walton government consists of a mayor and five council members. The council meets once a month.[2]
City Hall, Police Department, Fire Department, 122 Main St.
Walton High School was closed through school unification. The Walton High School mascot was Walton Wildcats.[21]
Library
Walton Community Library, 122 Main St.
Film
Using Agriculture to Spur Achievement : The Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center,[22] 2011, U.S. Department of Education filmed a documentary at the Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center charter elementary school in November 2010.[23] The crew also interviewed farm families, teachers, students, and community members. The resulting video will be featured on their website, highlighting the center as a best practices model of innovation in education.[24][25]
