Enterprise

History

The first settlement at Enterprise was in 1868, and Enterprise was laid out in 1872. It was named for the enterprising qualities of the pioneer settlers. The first post office in Enterprise was established in January 1873. On January 10, 1883, the Enterprise Town Company, with capital of $50,000, was organized. The following officers were elected: V. P. Wilson, president; John Johntz, vice-president; C. Hoffman, treasurer; T. C. Henry, secretary. In 1867, the Kansas Pacific Railroad reached Dickinson County, and the KP built a spur to connect Enterprise with the mainline at Detroit, three miles away. In 1886, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad built a tertiary line through Enterprise to connect the Rock Island's main line at Herington to the grain elevators and flour mills in Salina. Today, that track is still in use, owned by the Abilene and Smoky Valley, a heritage railroad that runs excursion trains between Abilene and Enterprise. In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva (three miles west of Strong City) through Enterprise to Superior, Nebraska. In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad and renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe". On January 23, 1901, temperance movement leader Carrie Nation and her followers wrecked a saloon in Enterprise.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Enterprise has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Abilene High School
  High · Abilene · 451 students · 16.7:1 ratio
• Chapman High
  High · Chapman · 380 students · 14.6:1 ratio
• Abilene Middle School
  Middle · Abilene · 338 students · 14.7:1 ratio
• Chapman Elem
  Elementary · Chapman · 290 students · 14.5:1 ratio
• Chapman Middle School
  Middle · Chapman · 278 students · 18.5:1 ratio
• Kennedy Elem
  Elementary · Abilene · 267 students · 16.7:1 ratio
• McKinley Elem
  Elementary · Abilene · 222 students · 20.2:1 ratio
• Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary
  Elementary · Abilene · 216 students · 18:1 ratio