Map of Galva city, Kansas

Galva is a city in McPherson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 834.

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History

Early 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.

19th century

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 County and McPherson County 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, in 1881 it 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 from Marion to McPherson was sold to Central Kansas Railway. In 1993, after heavy flood damage, the line from Marion through Galva to McPherson was abandoned and removed. The original branch line connected Florence, Marion, Canada, Hillsboro, Lehigh, Canton, Galva, McPherson, Conway, Windom, Little River, Mitchell, Lyons, Chase, Ellinwood.

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a main line from Herington through Galva to Pratt. In 1888, this line was extended to Liberal. Later, it was extended to Tucumcari, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. It foreclosed in 1891 and taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the “Rock Island”.

Galva was named by Mrs. J. E. Doyle, a native of Galva, Illinois. Galva was laid out on land belonging to the Marion & McPherson Railroad Company in September 1879, and it served as a shipping point for grain and cattle. By 1883, it contained nearly 100 people, several general stores, one drug store, one hotel, one lumber yard, a hotel and livery stable, and a good schoolhouse.

Galva Road Map

Galva city Satellite Map

Geography

Galva is located at 38°22′59″N 97°32′13″W / 38.38306°N 97.53694°W / 38.38306; -97.53694 (38.383038, -97.536903). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.48 square miles (1.24 km), all of it land. Galva is situated on relatively flat topography with a single stream that only runs during wet weather through the south part of town, flowing southwest. 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.

Climate

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.

See also