Delia, Kansas – Extinct in Jackson County

 

Delia, Kansas, is a small town in the southwest corner of Jackson County. It is also an “extinct” town, as it no longer has a post office. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 151 and a total area of 0.11 square miles, all land.

The first school was formed before Delia was founded.

In 1874, District 54 was established. At that time, school was held in three-month terms, following the agricultural calendar. Classes were held at a location south of Cross Creek for more than 20 years.

The first post office in Delia was established on January 12, 1906.

The location of the townsite came into dispute when another gentleman, Albert Sarbarch, expressed a desire to situate the townsite south of the railroad tracks, against Cunningham’s wish to build to the North. Although Cunningham won the debate, Sarbarch built a grocery store on the south side, which became known as the community of David until Delia spread and encompassed both areas. The railroad tracks running adjacent to Delia brought life to this small town.

The First Presbyterian Church of Delia was organized in 1907 and continues to hold weekly services.

A two-room school was built in 1908. The same year, the Sacred Heart Catholic Church was built. It remains in use today, mainly for special occasions.

In 1910, Delia was on the Union Pacific Railroad. At that time, it had banking facilities, a money order post office with one rural route, telegraph and express offices, and the principal lines of business activity were represented. Its population was 100.

The Washington Township High School was completed in September of 1914; however, students did not move into the building until January of 1915.

By 1915, Delia had a railroad depot, two hardware stores, two grocery stores, a blacksmith shop, a livery stable, a lumberyard, a cafe, a barbershop, the Delia State Bank, two churches, a hotel, a grade school, and a high school.

Delia had two newspapers, which were published successively. The Delia News was published for a short time and quit in 1920. C.D. Hornbeck published the Delia Bugle after the Delia News ceased publication.

Electrical lights were installed in 1922.

The two-room school was used until 1928, when they relocated across the street to make room for a new structure.

Delia’s population peaked in 1930 at 269.

Afterward, the town began to decline in population, and businesses failed.

When the bank closed in 1933, the building was converted into a post office.

The Washington Township High School burned down on April 14, 1954. A new building was erected and dedicated on September 7, 1956.

Water was supplied in 1957, and the Northwestern Telephone Company installed dial telephones in 1959.

The new school building served the area students until the schools were unified in 1966. Afterward, the high school became a grade school. Today, the building is home to Delia Charter School.

Delia’s post office closed on November 7, 2017.

Delia is 20 miles southwest of Holton, the county seat.