Rural Development
Association of Northeast Kansas

About RDA
What's New?
Grant Services
Business Services
Incentives
Microloans
Kansas Rural Business Development Program
Contact RDA
Partners/Links

http://www.cityofhiawatha.com

602 Oregon St.
Hiawatha, KS 66424
info@cityofhiawatha.com

Mayor
Tom Jimeson

City Commission
Bill Collins
Robert Freese
Marianne Schmitt
Dan Lierz

City Clerk
Rhonda Scheutz

Economic Development Director
Marian Sue Tubach

Hiawatha, named after the Indian brave in Longfellow's poem, Song of Hiawatha, became the county seat of Brown County in 1858 soon after the city's incorporation in 1857.  

History/Recreation
The City of Hiawatha boasts a wealth of historical landmarks and buildings as the city strives to preserve its heritage.  Every year the city hosts the Oldest Halloween Parade in the Nation.  Gazing across the city you can see many historical buildings including the Old Town clock located on Oregon Street (right), which is on the Kansas Register of Historic Buildings.  Other landmarks include the Davis Memorial, the Brown County Museum, and the Ag Museum and Windmill Lane. 

There are many outdoor activities to enjoy in Hiawatha as well.  Fishing, picnic, and camping facilities are available at the Hiawatha City Lake.  The Hiawatha Country Club has a 9-hole golf course, pool, and club house.  Finally, the Hiawatha Aquatic Park, has a 140-foot water slide, zero depth entry, a toddler area, raindrop fountains, a one-meter diving board, and 6 competition lanes. 

Business and Industry
Hiawatha has many successful industries devoted to areas such as agriculture technology, machine tools and dies, agricultural processing.  Incentives include the neighborhood revitalization zone, which allows for reductions on property taxes for all types of new construction.  Hiawatha has approximately 135 acres of industrial land available for development. Hiawatha's downtown has many shops that can meet all the town's needs.  The Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce and the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development spearhead the city improvement and development.  

Education
Hiawatha students are part of Unified School District #415 with elementary, middle, and high schools.  Highland Community College in Highland, 14 miles east, offers a two-year liberal arts curriculum and a wide variety of career preparation and technical programs.

Health Care
A 43-bed modern hospital and ambulance service, two nursing homes, two retirement centers, dentists, a chiropractor, an optometrist, and an assisted living community serve Hiawatha.  The city is also home to a public mental health center.  The hospital will soon offer orthopedic services in addition to its primary care and emergency services.

City of Hiawatha Facts and Figures