Arkansas City, Kansas

Arkansas City is a city in Cowley County, Kansas. Sited at the junction of the Arkansas and Walnut Rivers, Arkansas City has a population of almost 12,500. "Ark City", as it is familiarly known, encourages tourism with events such as the Arkalalah harvest festival, and attractions such as the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum. Arkansas City is also home to Cowley College, which has expanded from its humble 1922 beginnings in the basement of the high school to include more than a dozen buildings, including the former high school, Ireland Hall, which dates from 1890.

Founded in 1870, Arkansas City became industrialized relatively early. In 1877, a branch railroad line was built from Florence to El Dorado which would later be extended to Arkansas City, and operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. In 1885, the Land Improvement and Water Power Company opened a canal between the Arkansas and Walnut Rivers, providing power for an electric light plant and the A.C. Milling Company. Flour milling was an early industry in Arkansas City. The Arkansas City Flour Mills consolidated three existing mills in 1883, and in 1899, the New Era Milling Company was founded. All four mills were eventually acquired by Archer Daniels Midland Company. The Williams-Hill Aeroplane Company began operating out of Arkansas City in 1919, staging a flying circus one year later. The air show helped popularize the city as an aviation center, leading to the creation of Arkansas City Municipal Landing Field in 1921. Other 20th-century businesses included Pomona Tile Company, Santa Fe Foods, and oil and natural gas refineries such as Kanotex, Empire, and Total Petroleum. Although, heavy industry declined significantly after the 1980s, Arkansas City still retains some manufacturing, represented by employers such as Angus beef processor Creekstone Farms, and Kan-Pak LLC, makers of aseptic beverage and dessert packaging.

Arkansas City's history of construction and industry makes asbestos exposure, which is linked to mesothelioma cancer, an ongoing concern. We provide information about mesothelioma treatment options in and around Arkansas City at the bottom of this page. Asbestos lawyers may also be to assist if you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos in Arkansas City.

Jobsites in Arkansas City where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in Arkansas City, KS have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Arkansas City, KS

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Arkansas City, KS. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.