Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Poplar Bluff, Missouri
settlement_type = City
nickname =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Poplar Bluff, Missouri


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Missouri
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Butler
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 30.0
area_land_km2 = 30.0
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 11.6
area_land_sq_mi = 11.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 16651
population_density_km2 = 555.6
population_density_sq_mi = 1438.9

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 110
elevation_ft = 361
latd = 36 |latm = 45 |lats = 35 |latNS = N
longd = 90 |longm = 24 |longs = 10 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 63901-63902
area_code = 573
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 29-59096GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0751712GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Poplar Bluff is a city in Butler County, Missouri, United States. It is the county seat of Butler CountyGR|6 and is also known as "Gateway To The Ozarks."The Poplar Bluff Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Butler County. The city is the crossroads of US highways 60 and 67.

Geography

Poplar Bluff is located at coor dms|36|45|35|N|90|24|10|W|city (36.759808, -90.402731),GR|1 along the Black River. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.6 square miles (30.0 km²), all of it land. Poplar Bluff takes its name from a bluff that overlooks Black River. When first settled, the bluff was covered with poplar trees. The county courthouse and the offices of the Daily American Republic newspaper sit on this site. Poplar Bluff lies along an escarpment separating the Ozark foothills from the Mississippi embayment in Southeast Missouri. The foothills lie to the north and west, and the embayment is to the south and east. The surrounding area is commonly known as the "Three Rivers" with many local organizations and businesses using the name. The three rivers; Current River, Black River, and St. Francis River are 40 miles apart, with Poplar Bluff right in the center on the Black.

Demographics

Congressional district behind Cape Girardeau and Sikeston. As of the censusGR|2 of 2006, there were 15,351 people, 7,077 households, and 4,295 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,438.9 people per square mile (555.7/km²). There were 7,871 housing units at an average density of 680.2/sq mi (262.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.04% White, 9.71% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 7,077 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,068, and the median income for a family was $28,744. Males had a median income of $23,851 versus $18,770 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,996. About 19.3% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.4% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The town has one public high school and one junior high, a 5th and 6th grade center, a kindergarten center, four elementary schools and a head start. The town also has a Catholic pre-K through 8th grade school and a Baptist pre-K through 12th grade school. Three Rivers Community College is also located in Poplar Bluff.

Economy

The original business district in "downtown" gave way to a "shopping center" on the northwest side of town in the 1960s which gave way to "the strip" running along both sides of what was U.S. 67 (now Business U.S. 67) for the length of the city. On South 5th street in the downtown district you will find the large Black River Coliseum, which hosts shows, concerts and a large indoor pool. Currently the city is embroiled in controversy as the city council has decided to allow the sale of alcohol at the Black River Coliseum. Many of the area churches and community leaders have banded together and are circulating a petition in opposition. In March of 2008, several hundred area residents had to seek shelter in the Coliseum due to historic flooding in the region in the same fashion as New Orleans evacuees of Hurricane Katrina found refuge in the Superdome. [http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/538847.html] Ironically, the local churches again banded together to bring aid to those separated from their homes. In front of the Coliseum is a Veterans Wall and large fountains and across the street is the Railroad Museum. The downtown area is also home to the historic Rodgers Theatre. A large railyard separates the "South Side" from the rest of the city. Poplar Bluff still has Amtrak service.

The Industrial Park is located on the 'South Side" and is home to Briggs and Stratton, Gates Rubber, Team USA, and other factories. The Bluff Falls Water Park is also located on the South Side. The "Sale Barn" also lies on the South Side. Every Friday sees a livestock auction there and the grounds feature a large outdoor flea market selling everything from apples to hunting dogs. The Airport is located on the East Side of town on Hwy B or old 60 East Hwy.

History

The city was founded as the county seat in 1849. It consisted of about 150 acres. The identity of the very first European visitor to the Poplar Bluff area is Hernando de Soto. De Soto landed at Tampa Bay in May of 1539. Later he crossed the Mississippi River. He then traveled to a point below the mouth of the St. Francis river, and into Butler County. DeSoto and his men traveled through what is now Ash Hill and passed just outside of Poplar Bluff. Later, the French were the first Europeans to assert any territorial rights over the Poplar Bluff area. The French held the area until 1770, when it was ceded by treaty to Spain. Spain held the area until 1802 when it was returned to France. Throughout this time the area of Poplar Bluff, as well as all of Butler County, held almost no European settlements up until 1819. When this first white settler family moved into the Poplar Bluff area in 1819, it is reported that about 300 Native Americans resided in the area.

In 1927 a tornado leveled most of the city, especially the original business district along Main and Broadway streets.

Notable people

*Linda Bloodworth-Thomason: Television producer of "Designing Women"
*Julie McCullough: "Growing Pains" and "Playboy" Playmate
*Scott Innes: Voice actor for Scooby-Doo

Transportation

*Poplar Bluff (Amtrak station)
* [http://www.airnav.com/airport/KPOF Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport]

References

External links

* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~mobutle2/history/bc-collins.htm The History of Butler County 1870-1930]