Early History of Savonburg
by Frank W. Blackmar (1912)
Savonburg, one of the incorporated cities of Allen county, is located in Elsmore township, near the southeast corner of the county, and about 18 miles from Iola, the county seat. It is a station on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas R. R., has a bank, a weekly newspaper (the Record), a large retail trade, good schools, and nearly all the leading fraternal organizations are represented by lodges. The town was founded in 1879, when the postoffice was established with John Keen as postmaster. The present postoffice does a money order business and has two rural routes starting from it. The population in 1910 was 257. In 1889 the Savonburg Improvement company was chartered and did so well in building up the town that it was incorporated in 1902.
Library
Savonburg has one of the nicest libraries of the area. Located in the center of town it was built in 2001. The library serves as a community gathering place. At small table in the library patrons often gather to visit. Coffee and hot cocoa are usually available. The librarian is warm and friendly. The library boasts an attractive mural in the children's area painted by local artist Cherie Hunt. It has two computers equiped with high speed internet acess available for public use. It has a nice collection of adult fictionm and many childrens books. The library also has DVD's and VCR's available. The library has no fees for late returns. While collections are limited books and other materials can be Interlibrary loaned. Library hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm-6pm, Saturdays 1pm-5pm.
Geography
Savonburg is located at 37°44'53N, 95°8'37W (37.748124, -95.143508). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²), all land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 91 people, 37 households, and 24 families residing in the city. The population density was 175.7/km² (462.6/mi²). There were 45 housing units at an average density of 86.9/km² (228.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.31% White, 6.59% Native American, and 1.10% from two or more races.
There were 37 households out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $8,750, and the median income for a family was $40,625. Males had a median income of $19,375 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,085. There were 23.1% of families and 40.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including 26.7% of under eighteens and 70.0% of those over 64.
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