Windom

History

For millennia, the land now known as Kansas was inhabited by Native Americans. In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1867, McPherson County was founded. 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, was abandoned in 1968. In 1992, the line from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion to McPherson was abandoned. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase and Ellinwood. Some hold that Windom was named in honor of William Windom, while others believe its namesake is Windham County, Connecticut. The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in 1912, and was routed through Windom, Conway and McPherson.

Geography

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

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  503
• Killdeer

  Charadrius vociferus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  374
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  355
• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  259
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  230
• Blue-winged Teal

  Spatula discors (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  224
• Red-tailed Hawk

  Buteo jamaicensis (Gmelin, 1788) · Aves
  207
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  204