Galva

History

For millennia, the Great Plains of North America were inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th to 18th centuries, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, by the Treaty of Fontainebleau. 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. From the 1820s to 1870s, the Santa Fe Trail passed through, what is now McPherson County. In 1855, Charles O. Fuller established a ranch adjacent to the Running Turkey Creek Crossing about two miles south and one mile east of Galva. Fuller's Ranch provided accommodations for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail and was probably the first white settlement in McPherson County. The location is on private property with a marker nearby. The trail was active across McPherson County from 1821 to 1866. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, McPherson County was established within the Kansas Territory, which included the land for modern day Galva. As early as 1875, city leaders of Marion held a meeting to consider a branch railroad from Florence. In 1878, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and parties from Marion and McPherson counties chartered the Marion and McPherson Railway Company. In 1879, a branch line was built from Florence to McPherson; in 1880, it was extended to Lyons and in 1881 was extended to Ellinwood. The line was leased and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The line from Florence to Marion became defunct in 1968. In 1992, the line…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Galva is situated on relatively flat topography with a single stream that only runs during wet weather through the southern part of town, flowing southwestward. The land is highly productive agriculturally with wheat, milo, soybeans the principal crops. Oil is still produced within the city limits and in the fields north, south and east of town. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Galva has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• McPherson High
  High · McPherson · 709 students · 13.9:1 ratio
• McPherson Middle School
  Middle · McPherson · 492 students · 15.4:1 ratio
• Washington Elem
  Elementary · McPherson · 285 students · 14.3:1 ratio
• Roosevelt Elem
  Elementary · McPherson · 266 students · 12.7:1 ratio
• Eisenhower Elementary
  Elementary · McPherson · 265 students · 13.3:1 ratio
• Lincoln Elem
  Elementary · McPherson · 253 students · 12:1 ratio
• Canton-Galva Elementary
  Elementary · Galva · 204 students · 13.6:1 ratio
• Canton-Galva Jr./Sr. High
  High · Canton · 137 students · 12.5:1 ratio