The city of McPherson was officially founded in 1872 when twelve enterprising settlers organized the "McPherson Town Company." The settlement was named after General James B. McPherson, a prominent military leader during the American Civil War. Just a year later, in 1873, the city solidified its position by receiving the status of the administrative center for the county of the same name.
Factors of Establishment and Development
The rapid growth and transformation of McPherson from a small settlement into a significant regional center were driven by several key factors:
Strategic Location: Located in the heart of the fertile Kansas plains, the city became a natural trading hub for surrounding farms.
Railway Connection: The arrival of railroads in the late 19th century opened access to major markets, giving a powerful boost to trade and attracting new residents.
Administrative Resource: Its status as the county seat provided the city with political stability and the development of government institutions.
Early Economy and Culture
Agriculture, particularly the cultivation and processing of grain crops, formed the economic foundation of early McPherson. The city quickly acquired grain elevators and mills.
The cultural character was shaped by hardworking settlers and religious communities. A major milestone in the city's history was the founding of McPherson College in 1887, which established a tradition of high-quality education that continues to this day.
Timeline
Chronology of City Development
1872: A group of settlers organizes the "McPherson Town Company" and lays the foundation for the future settlement.
1874: McPherson is officially incorporated and receives city status.
1887: McPherson College is founded, becoming an important educational and cultural center for the region.
1889: The grand opening of the McPherson Opera House takes place, which is now considered a historic landmark.
1914: Central Christian College of Kansas moves to the city, strengthening its status as a student hub.
1929: Significant oil reserves are discovered nearby, sparking the industrial development of the region.
1932: A major oil refinery begins operations, becoming a key element of the local economy.
1936: Players from the local "McPherson Globe Refiners" team, as part of the US national team, win the first-ever Olympic gold medal in basketball.
1943: The National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA) is formed, consolidating the city's industrial capacities.
2010: The long-term and costly restoration of the historic Opera House building is completed, returning it to its original appearance.
Milestones
Key Stages of Transformation
Oil Industrialization (1930s): The discovery of oil fields and the launch of a refinery (later known as NCRA, now part of CHS Inc.) fundamentally changed the city's economic profile. This event transformed McPherson from a traditional agrarian settlement into a powerful industrial hub, allowing the city to successfully weather the Great Depression.
Sports Triumph and Branding (1936): The victory of the local "McPherson Globe Refiners" team, which formed the core of the US national team at the Olympic Games, brought the city worldwide fame. This event laid the foundation for a unique sports culture and community pride that remains an essential part of the city's identity.
Formation of an Educational Cluster: The development of McPherson College and Central Christian College defined the social and cultural landscape. The presence of two higher education institutions ensures a constant influx of young people, maintains a high level of education among the population, and stimulates the service sector.
Industrial Diversification (Second Half of the 20th Century): The expansion of the industrial base included plastics, insulation materials, and pharmaceuticals (including Pfizer facilities). This step reduced the economy's dependence on oil price fluctuations and created thousands of jobs in the high-tech sector.
Urban Revitalization (2010): The completion of the large-scale restoration of the McPherson Opera House became a symbol of the historic center's rebirth. The project brought together the efforts of businesses and citizens, turning the historic building into a modern cultural and concert complex that attracts tourists.
Architecture
Architectural Landscape and Urban Planning
The architectural landscape of McPherson reflects its transformation from a trading settlement on the Kansas plains into a thriving industrial and educational hub. The city features a distinct grid street layout, characteristic of 19th-century American urban planning, with a historic center revolving around the courthouse building.
Historical Eras and Styles
Late 19th Century: Romanesque and Victorian Eclecticism
The period of the city's initial flourish was marked by the construction of monumental public buildings designed to showcase the ambitions and reliability of the new community. Local limestone and brick served as the primary materials.
Richardsonian Romanesque: This style dominates the city's most iconic structures. It is characterized by massiveness, the use of rough-hewn stone, wide arches, and towers. The most striking example is the McPherson County Courthouse, built in 1894. Its clock tower and stonework remains the main architectural landmark of the downtown area.
Victorian Eclecticism: This is evident in the commercial and cultural buildings of the time. The McPherson Opera House, opened in 1889, combines Romanesque elements with the decorative flair typical of the Victorian era.
Early 20th Century: Neoclassicism and the Arts and Crafts Movement
As wealth grew and civic institutions developed, architecture became more austere and orderly. Residential areas expanded with cozy family homes.
Neoclassicism: Early-century public buildings, such as libraries and schools, were often built using symmetry and columns, emphasizing the importance of education and culture. The historic Carnegie Library building serves as a prime example.
Residential Architecture (Bungalow and Craftsman): Many Arts and Crafts style homes are preserved in the city's older residential neighborhoods. These are one- or one-and-a-half-story houses with low-pitched roofs and wide porches, popular between 1910 and 1930.
Mid-20th Century to Present: Modernism and Functionalism
The discovery of oil and industrial development in the 1930s, along with the expansion of colleges, brought modern features to the city's appearance.
Industrial Architecture: The oil refinery complex on the outskirts of the city is an example of utilitarian industrial architecture, playing a vital role in the economic landscape, despite its lack of ornamentation.
Campus Architecture: The buildings of McPherson College and Central Christian College demonstrate an evolution from the classic brick halls of the early century to the functional structures of the Modernist era, designed for academic and athletic purposes.
Notable People
Notable Figures of McPherson
The city's history is inextricably linked with the names of people who have achieved national and global recognition. McPherson has given the world Olympic champions, talented artists, and influential diplomats.
Sports Legends
Joe Fortenberry — Basketball player, Olympic champion.
Captain of the legendary local team, the "McPherson Globe Refiners." He became a key player for the first-ever US Olympic basketball team, which won gold at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. He is considered one of the pioneers of the modern slam dunk.
Jonathan Coachman — Sports commentator and wrestling personality.
Known by his nickname "The Coach," he built a successful career as an interviewer and commentator in the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and a host on ESPN. He is a graduate of McPherson High School and McPherson College.
Brad Underwood — Basketball coach.
A successful mentor in college basketball (NCAA), having led teams at Oklahoma State, Stephen F. Austin, and the University of Illinois. A McPherson native, he began his sporting journey in local schools.
George Magerkurth — Baseball umpire.
One of the most recognizable Major League Baseball (MLB) umpires of the first half of the 20th century. During his 19-year career, he umpired over 2,800 games, including several World Series.
Culture and Politics
Sue Raney — Jazz singer.
A McPherson native whose talent was noticed by the legendary Nat King Cole. A four-time Grammy nominee, she became a significant figure on the American jazz scene in the 1950s and 60s.
V. John Krehbiel — Diplomat.
A businessman and statesman who served as the US Ambassador to Finland (1981–1985) during the Ronald Reagan administration. He contributed to the development of international relations during the Cold War years.