Hardtner was founded in 1887. It was named for Dr. John Hardtner, a landowner. The first post office in Hardtner was established in July 1887. By 1908 the townspeople had realized that they would need a railroad line to the outside world in order to survive. The town's founder Jacob Achenbach, helped set up a company to build a line east to Kiowa. The line would have to cross the Santa Fe's tracks to link with the Missouri Pacific, the planned connection for Hardtner's line. The Santa Fe's Superintendent was not about to stand for that, so he had his private car block the spot where the lines would cross. A local got word to him that the Hardtner people had about 45 cowboys ready to "riddle his car with bullets" The Superintendent moved his car, and the line was completed. On June 2, 1929, a tornado struck Hardtner, causing minor damage. The tornado was notable since it moved very slowly, yielding some of the highest quality photographs of a tornado to that date. Hardtner is also known for its yearly Independence Day celebrations. This event attracts people from all around the Kansas/Oklahoma state-line area. Yearly events include a themed parade, medallion hunt, pit beef sandwiches, and a fireworks show.
Geography
Hardtner is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all of it land.
As of the census of 2010, there were 172 people, 85 households, and 44 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 123 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.6% Native American, 0.6% Asian, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population. There were 85 households of which 17.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couplesliving together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.2% were non-families. 43.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 24.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age in the city was 51 years. 19.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 1.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.2% were from 25 to 44; 36.7% were from 45 to 64; and 23.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.3% male and 47.7% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 199 people, 95 households, and 64 families residing in the city. The population density was 666.9 people per square mile. There were 126 housing units at an average density of 422.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 98.49% White, 1.01% Native American, and 0.50% from two or more races. There were 95 households out of which 18.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 2.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.55. In the city, the population was spread out with 18.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 16.1% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 31.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $34,038. Males had a median income of $27,083 versus $19,583 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,390. About 7.8% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those sixty five or over.
Education
Hardtner is served by USD 255 South Barber. Hardtner High School was closed through school unification. The Hardtner High School mascot was Tornadoes.
