Fairport is an unincorporated community in Paradise Township, Russell County, Kansas, United States.[1] It is located about 12 miles north of Gorham near the west county line and next the Saline River.

Fairport, Kansas
KDOT map of Russell County (legend)
Fairport is located in Kansas
Fairport
Fairport
Fairport is located in the United States
Fairport
Fairport
Coordinates: 39°02′45″N 99°01′50″W / 39.04583°N 99.03056°W / 39.04583; -99.03056[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyRussell
Founded1870s
Elevation1,680 ft (510 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
67665
Area code785
FIPS code20-22375
GNIS ID472526 [1]

History

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In 1879, Knight & Bradshaw built Fairport Mills, a steam and water-powered flour mill, at a site on the Saline River northwest of Russell, Kansas.[2] A rural post office had opened near the site in October 1878 under the name Clarkson, but changed its name to Fairport in 1881.[3] The community of Fairport grew up around the mill and, by 1910, had local trade and a population of 75.[4] The post office closed in 1959.[3]

Geography

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Fairport lies in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains on the Saline River which wraps around the east, north, and west sides of the town in a meander.[5][6] Fairport is roughly 14 miles (22 km) northwest of Russell, the county seat.[6]

Education

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Fairport had a two year high school in connection with the common school until 1940 when Fairport High School joined Paradise High School.[7]

Transportation

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Paradise-Fairport Road, an unpaved east–west county road, enters Fairport from the east, turns north through the town, then turns west and exits the town, becoming Fairport-Natoma Road.[6][8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Fairport, Kansas", Geographic Names Information System, United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior
  2. ^ Cutler, William G. (1883), "Russell County, Part 2", History of the State of Kansas, Chicago: A.T. Andreas
  3. ^ a b "Post Offices in Kansas". Kansas State Historical Society. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  4. ^ Blackmar, Frank W., ed. (1912). "Fairport". Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. Vol. 1. Chicago: Standard. p. 620.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  5. ^ "2003-2004 Official Transportation Map" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. 2003. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c "General Highway Map - Russell County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. October 1, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  7. ^ "Fairport High School Joins Paradise District", Natoma Independent, 11 April 1940, p.1
  8. ^ "Fairport, KS 67665". Google Maps. Retrieved December 12, 2010.

Further reading

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