Moran is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 54 and U.S. Highway 59 in Allen County in southeastern Kansas, approximately 100 miles south of Kansas City. Iola is 13 miles to the west and Fort Scott is 28 miles to the east. Moran has a population of 562.

Serving the town and the surrounding rural community are several civic organizations and four churches. Physicians office, grocery, bank, antique store, convenience/gas station, grain company, restaurant, barber shop, beauty salons, funeral chapel, day care, construction company, locker, insurance agency, and a bed and breakfast are among the businesses that provide services to the area. A major addition and renovation at the USD 256 facility, which houses grades K through 12, was a recent accomplishment. The Senior / Community Center on Cedar Street was completed in 2002.

The Moran community participates in the Thrive Allen County activities. The group is involved in providing transportation to area swimming pools for local children, providing a walking trail in Moran, and promoting Pride Community activities. More details: Thrive Allen County/Moran

Moran is the hometown of 1968 Miss America, Debra Dean Barnes, and of a Rhodes Scholar, Kelly Welch. (Link to Debra Dene Barnes page on the Allen County Museum site: http://www.allencountyhistory.com/barnes.html.)

In 1898, photographer William Henry DeHart made a pictorial record of the town of Moran, Kansas. That photo collection was preserved intact first by his son Gus (Lewis Gustave), then by his grandson Robert. Now after more than 110 years, the Moran collection is in the care of Will Henry's great-grandson, Richard L. DeHart. The photos by William H. DeHart courtesy of his great grandson, Richard Dehart. DeHart Photos

Moran has a strong sense of community; the citizens are supportive of community projects and rally around neighbors in need.

A community celebration-Moran Days-is held each September. The Theme of the 63^rd celebration was "There's No Place Like Home." It was September 19, 2009.

Cheryl Wallis is the Iola Register's Moran correspondent. Her email address jcsgoldwing@embarqmail.com; her phone number is 620-237-4433.

Links to

Allen County Election Results, April 2009

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Moran North Cemetery Records / South Cemetery Records

Fairview Cemetery Records (east of Mildred)

Bronson Cemetery, Bourbon County

Southeast Kansas Genealogy Society

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Marmaton Valley USD 256 web page

Elsmore, KS web page

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Do you know this boy?    The writing on the back of the picture is "Uncle Matt's boy." The lower right corner identifies "Miller, Iola, Kans."