This page is about the city in Missouri. For other communities of the same name, see Boonville (disambiguation)
Boonville is a city in Cooper County, Missouri, USA. The population was 8,202 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cooper County[3]. The city was the site of a skirmish early in the American Civil War on July 17, 1861. Union forces easily brushed aside a small and poorly equipped force of the Missouri State Guard in the so-called Battle of Boonville.
Geography
Boonville is located at 38°57′54″N 92°44′30″W / 38.965°N 92.74167°W / 38.965; -92.74167 (38.965017, -92.741757)[4]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.3 square miles (19.0 km²), of which, 6.9 square miles (17.8 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.2 km²) of it (6.26%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 8,202 people, 2,667 households, and 1,696 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,190.8 people per square mile (459.6/km²). There were 3,041 housing units at an average density of 441.5/sq mi (170.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.22% White, 16.84% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.23% of the population.
There were 2,667 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female house holder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.6% under the age of 18, 20.8% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 138.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 146.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,440, and the median income for a family was $40,294. Males had a median income of $28,498 versus $20,739 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,854. About 9.5% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
Recreation
Boonville is near the middle of the Katy Trail, a 225-mile state park enjoyed by cyclists and hikers. Katy Trail Bridge in Boonville, which crosses the Missouri near the Isle of Capri Casino and Historic Selwyn Shoe Factory (which has been refurnished as apartments), has been subject of controversy. The railroad would like the bridge to be taken down so the metal can be melted and reused. However, Friends of Historic Boonville and others across the state oppose the idea.
Annually, Boonville celebrates Boonville Heritage Days. This is a summer weekend event that focuses on heritage. Activities include a parade, craft booths, a carnival and much fun for people of all ages. On the last evening there is a fireworks show.
Other annual events include the Festival of the Leaves, which is held on the last Saturday in September, and The Festival of The Lights, which is held every Thursday night in September. Shops stay open late, and there are booths with food, free stuff, and games. The historic Thespian Hall located downtown is used for concerts, art shows, and plays.
The annual Halloween parade features the award winning Boonville Silver Pirate Band dressed up in a variety of costumes.
Twillman Field in Harley Park is also a source of some pride, as it hosts several baseball tournaments every year, including state and regional championships, with ages ranging from 13 to 18. At one time in the late 1980s through 1990s, it was considered by some to be the 3rd best baseball field in the state, trailing only the Major League parks in St. Louis and Kansas City.
Notable residents
- Julia Lee, blues singer and pianist
- Minus Story (band)
- Joseph Franklin Rutherford (2nd President of the Jehovah's Witnesses)
- Frederick T. Kemper, founder of school later known as Kemper Military School.
- Colonel Thomas A. Johnston, Builder of Kemper Military School, Superintendent and President from 1881 to 1928.
- Colonel Arthur M. Hitch, Superintendent of Kemper Military School, 1928-1948.
- Walter Williams, founder of the Missouri School of Journalism and former president of the University of Missouri.
- George Graham Vest, U.S. Senator from Missouri
- Henry L. Myers, U.S. Senator from Montana
- Henry S. Benedict, U.S. Congressman from California.
- Nathaniel Albertson, U.S. Congressman from Indiana.
- John Cosgrove, U.S. Congressman from Missouri.
- Dorsey W. Shackleford, U.S. Congressman from Missouri.
- John Gaines Miller, U.S. Congressman from Missouri.
- Robert Patterson Clark Wilson, U.S. Congressman from Missouri.
- Theron Moses Rice, U.S. Congressman from Missouri.
- George Ainslie, Congressional delegate from Idaho Territory.
References
External links
