Greenleaf, Kansas

 

Greenleaf, Kansas, is a small town in Washington County. As of the 2020 census, its population was 350, and it had a total area of 0.46 square miles, all land.

In the winter of 1871, the French Catholics organized a society at Sol Lanoux’s house. Later, they purchased the old schoolhouse and transformed it into a suitable place of worship.

Greenleaf was founded in 1876 and named for A.W. Greenleaf, the treasurer of the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad. That year, A. Snyder built a hotel called the Greenleaf House.

The town was platted in November 1876, and A.A. Young opened the first store on the present site of Greenleaf. The railroad reached the community in December.

The post office at Round Grove, Kansas, which had been known at various times as Prospect Hill and Hopper, was moved miles north to Greenleaf when the railroad missed the settlement. It opened in Greenleaf on February 2, 1877, with J.A. Simons as the first postmaster.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1877. The same year, a Baptist Society was organized by Reverend J.R. Randen.

Before long, the old schoolhouse erected at Round Grove was moved to Greenleaf, and Miss Sadie Hackey became the first teacher.

In 1878, while Greenleaf was the terminus of the Central Branch, a roundhouse was established at this point.

In the spring of 1880, the Presbyterians organized, but their society soon died out, leaving them without a pastor.

In 1880, Greenleaf was made a division town, and the railroad company erected a commodious hotel called the Pomeroy House. It was maintained in fine style by W.W. Randall, the proprietor.

That year, when the road was extended to Cawker City, Greenleaf was made the end of the first division, and a new one was built. About 20 men, including car repairers, are employed here, and as many again around the depot, dispatch office, etc.

Greenleaf was incorporated as a city of the third class on September 6, 1880. A fine new school was also built for $2,500. Professor Charles Brown was the principal, and Miss Sadie Hackey his assistant. Attendance ranged from 90 to 110.

The Greenleaf Journal was established by W.H. Besack, of Washington, on January 15, 1881. In February, he sold to H.A. Moore and J.A.W. Bliss. The paper was enlarged to an eight-column folio in May 1882. Charles Barrett, the editor and proprietor, later purchased Mr. Moore’s interest, and in August, that of Mr. Bliss. The Journal was independent in politics.

In May 1882, the English Lutherans formed a flourishing church with Reverend J. Schaurer as pastor. They soon began erecting a building.

The Universalists organized in June, 1882, with Reverend Joseph Wilson as pastor.

J.W. Bliss established the Independent newspaper on September 15, 1882. The seven-column folio was politically independent.

The business of Greenleaf was decidedly on the increase with her growth in educational, social, and religious privileges. An important factor in this line was the Fair Association, formed in September 1882, which held an exhibition in November.

The Methodist Episcopal Church built a $4,000 church that was completed in the fall of 1882.

The business of the city was then represented as follows: two hotels, five general stores, three hardware stores, two drug stores, one bakery, and four restaurants, two lumber-yards, two grain warehouses, and four agricultural implement depots, two blacksmith and wagon shops, two liveries, one bed spring manufactory, one barber shop, etc., etc. Greenleaf has her two lawyers, her two physicians, and her two editors.

By 1882, Greenleaf had a population of nearly 400 people.

Greenleaf’s population peaked at 916 in 1890.

In 1910, Greenleaf was a station on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. It was also the terminus of a branch of the same system that ran to Washington. At that time, it had an international money order post office with four rural routes, two banks, a weekly newspaper called the Sentinel, hotels, a cigar factory, Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist churches, telegraph and express offices, telephone connections, several well-stocked stores, and was a shipping point of considerable importance, and had a population of 781.

The Greenleaf school was destroyed by fire in 1966.

A tornado hit Greenleaf on September 25, 1973, demolishing 42 homes and 26 businesses, and taking the lives of two children.

In 2006, the North Central USD 221 schools consolidated with Washington USD 222. Today, Greenleaf is served by the Washington County USD 108 public school district.

The City Park offers a swimming pool during the summer season, a picnic area, and playground equipment. A limestone jail and Community Clubhouse are located at the northwest edge of the downtown business district.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church is over 100 years old and still holds Mass on weekends.

A must-see drive-by is the St. Michael’s Catholic Church, located approximately eight miles south of Greenleaf at the extinct town of Kimeo, on a paved county road. This church and cemetery are over 115 years old. Built with teams of horses and hand tools, this majestic church is a tribute to those settling the area.

Greenleaf Fun Day is held in July and is a very family-friendly event.

Greenleaf is seven miles southeast of Washington, the county seat, on KS Hwy 119.