Founded: 1881
Population: 650
Elevation: 1040 feet
Latitude: 37° 55' 01" N
Longitude: 95° 17' 56" W
ZIP code: 66751 - Area Code: 620
La Harpe is located in Allen, [AL], county in the southeast corner of the State on U.S. Highway 54, approximately 45 miles west of the Missouri boarder, and 65 miles north of the Oklahoma border.
La Harpe began as a railway stop and rural service center in 1881 but became an industrial town in 1897.
When the Fort Scott, Wichita and Western tracks were laid through Allen County depots were built a Moran, La Harpe and Iola, but only Iola was a town at the time. Moran and La Harpe grew around their depots and the business the railroad made possible.
The town grew modestly to serve farmers until the Lanyon Smelting Company built a zinc smelter there, creating hundreds of jobs. The town grew like a weed. By the end of 1898, La Harpe had built a school providing education through high school. Presbyterian, Episcopal and Methodist churches were built. La Harpe became a Third Class city in 1899.
The town was setting on what was judged the largest deposit of natural gas in Allen County. The Cockerell Company moved in and built a smelter beside Lanyon's. A zinc rolling mill was constructed and by 1902 was producing 20 tons of sheet zinc every 24 hours.
The Iola Electric Railroad Company built tracks along what is now U.S. 54 to bring workers to La Harpe from Iola, which had a much larger residential area, and vice versa. The cars ran 24 hours a day for a few hectic years and had a huge two-way traffic.
By 1909 La Harpe had a population of 3,000 and seemed destined to become the largest city in the county. Then the supply of gas began to fall, along with the world demand for zinc. When the jobs disappeared the population dispersed and La Harpe retreated to its pre-boom status as a rural service center and as a quiet, inexpensive place to live for those who are retired or have work elsewhere. A new elementary school was built in 1977.
Information supplied by The Iola Register's Pictorial History of Allen County.
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Schools |
La Harpe Grade School / (620) 496-2261 / 902 South Washington USD #257 / (620) 365-4700 / 402 East Jackson, Iola, KS 66749 |
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Churches |
La Harpe Christian Church / (620) 496-2236 / 901 South Main La Harpe United Methodist Church |
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Shopping |
Corinna's
Carousels / (620) 496-2682 / 404 South Jefferson Dabbers Flea Market / (620) 496-2666 / Highway 54 West Diebolt Lumber Supply / (620) 496-2222 McCord Cycle / (620) 496-2323 / 110 South Main Quilt Creations Etc. / (620) 496-2372 |
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Industry |
Nelson Quarries | |
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Beyond Engineering / (316)
496-2682 / 404 South Jefferson / E-Mail Caler Body & Frame Shop / (620) 496-2229 / 1328 2600 Road J & J Contractors, Inc. / (620) 496-2442 Jewell Photo / (620) 496-2627 / 1410 2600 Road Kids Corner Preschool / (620) 496-2686 / 2391 U.S. 54 La Harpe Senior Citizens Center / (620) 496-2700 / 111 South Main Northside Plumbing / (620) 496-2411 / 304 East 6th. Street Ray's Metal Depot / (620) 496-2400 / 320 U.S. 54 West |
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Utilities |
La Harpe Communications / (620) 496-2294 / 109 West 6th. Street La Harpe Telephone Company / (620) 496-2291 / 109 West 6th. Street |
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| Organizations |
La Harpe Rural Fire Department / (620) 496-2299 / 1205 South
Broadway La Harpe VFW Post / (620) 496-2273 / 206 U.S. 54 East |
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Government |
Allen County Landfill / (620) 496-2310 / 1170 2800 Road La Harpe City Hall / (620) 496-2241 / 616 South Main Street La Harpe Post Office / (620) 496-2235 / 802 South Main Street La Harpe Sewer Treatment Plant / (620) 496-2243 / 1226 2400 Road |
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1998 John & Susan Howell |
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