Gladstone is an unincorporated community located in Phillips County in the U.S. state of Kansas. The community lies in the north‑central region of the state, approximately 10 mi (16 km) southeast of the county seat, Phillipsburg, and is accessible via county road networks that connect to state highways.
Geography
- Coordinates: 39°50′30″N 99°24′15″W (approximately)
- Elevation: 1,860 ft (567 m) above sea level
- Time zone: Central Standard Time (CST) with daylight saving time observed
History
Gladstone was established in the late 19th century during the period of railway expansion in Kansas. A post office operated in the community from 1882 until its closure in 1913, indicating a period of active settlement and local commerce. The community was a station on the former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad line that traversed Phillips County.
The etymology of the community’s name is not definitively documented; however, it is plausible that it was named after William Ewart Gladstone, the British statesman who served as Prime Minister during the 19th century, a naming practice observed in other American locales. This interpretation remains unconfirmed.
Demographics
As an unincorporated area, Gladstone is not separately enumerated in U.S. Census data. Population estimates are therefore included within broader county statistics; the most recent census (2020) records Phillips County’s total population at approximately 5,100 residents.
Education
Residents of Gladstone are served by the Phillipsburg Unified School District 399, which provides primary and secondary education to the surrounding rural region.
Infrastructure
The community lacks incorporated municipal services; public utilities and emergency services are administered at the county level. The nearest postal services are provided in Phillipsburg, and the area falls under ZIP code 67657.
References
- United States Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System (GNIS): “Gladstone, Kansas”.
- Kansas Historical Society, Post Offices Database (1882–1913).
- Phillips County Maps, Kansas Department of Transportation.
Note: Information regarding the origin of the community’s name is not definitively established in reliable sources.