Bonner Springs

History

Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado spent the winter of 1541–1542 at what is now the area of Bonner Springs. The diary of Father Juan Padilla records that the expedition reached the 40th degree (Kansas northern border) and came to a great river (the Missouri). An inscription found on a stone near Atchison has been translated as, "Thus far came Francisco de Coronado, General of an Expedition." The explorers traveled downstream to the mouth of another great river, the Kansas, and preceded upstream 16 leagues to camp in what is now Bonner Springs before returning to Mexico. Due to the mineral springs, this legend gave the area its first recorded name, "Coronado Springs". The location allowed easy access to trade items, and a ferry to cross the Kansas River was added. With a date of 1812, it is reputed to be the first commercial center and permanent settlement in Kansas. Tiblow was a Delaware Indian who worked as an interpreter for the government. He lived in a small cabin on the west side of the city. The town was named after Robert E. Bonner, a publisher of the New York Ledger, who was a trotting-horse breeder of note, and Clark believed would help fund the proposed racetrack. However, there is no record this occurred. Bonner Springs continued to be prosperous, with a growing population and new businesses. In 1908, a fire caused over $70,000 worth of damage ($ in dollars) and destroyed between 19 and 21 local businesses.

Geography

Bonner Springs is located primarily on the north side of the Kansas River. It is mainly in southwestern Wyandotte County, with small portions extending west into Leavenworth County and south across the Kansas River into Johnson County. It is bordered to the north by Kansas City, Kansas, to the east by Edwardsville, and to the south across the Kansas River by Shawnee. Interstate 70, the Kansas Turnpike, passes through the northern part of the city, with access from Exits 224 and 224A (U.S. Route 73 and Kansas Highway 7). I-70 leads east to Kansas City, Missouri, and west to Lawrence, while US-73 leads north to Leavenworth, and K-7 leads south the same distance to Olathe. K-32 runs through the center of Bonner Springs close to the Kansas River, leading east into Edwardsville and west to Linwood. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which are land and , or 2.26%, are water. Bonner Springs has a humid continental climate, typically experiencing hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Turner High
  High · Kansas City · 1,171 students · 15.8:1 ratio
• Washington High
  High · Kansas City · 1,114 students · 16.4:1 ratio
• F L Schlagle High
  High · Kansas City · 792 students · 14.4:1 ratio
• Piper High
  High · Kansas City · 779 students · 15.6:1 ratio
• Bonner Springs High
  High · Bonner Springs · 777 students · 14.1:1 ratio
• Piper Middle
  Middle · Kansas City · 708 students · 15.7:1 ratio
• Gloria Willis Middle School
  Middle · Kansas City · 707 students · 14.4:1 ratio
• Piper Creek Elementary
  Elementary · Kansas City · 608 students · 16.9:1 ratio