Columbia is a city in Maury County, Tennessee, United States. The 2008 population was 34,402 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. It is the county seat of Maury County[3].
The town is notable for being the self-proclaimed "Mule capital of the world" and honors this fact with Mule Day, a large celebration held annually every April. Columbia is also the home of the national headquarters for the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Geography
Columbia is located at 35°36′54″N 87°2′40″W / 35.615°N 87.04444°W / 35.615; -87.04444 (35.615022, -87.044464)[4]. It is nestled along the banks of the Duck River at the southern edge of the Nashville Basin with the higher elevated ridges of the Highland Rim located to the south and west of the city. The Duck River is the longest river located entirely within the U.S. state of Tennessee. Free flowing for most of its length, the Duck River is home to over 50 species of freshwater mussels and 151 species of fish, making it the most biologically diverse river in North America. It enters the city of Manchester and meets its confluence with a major tributary, the Little Duck River, at Old Stone Fort State Park, named after an ancient Native American structure between the two rivers believed to be nearly 2,000 years old. The Duck River is sacred to most of the founding indian tribes east of the Mississippi River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.6 square miles (76.7 km²), of which, 29.6 square miles (76.7 km²) of it is land and 0.03% is water. Incorporated in 1817, the city sits on an elevation of 637 feet. Downtown Columbia is very hilly, historical, and enviting. Columbia is the trade center for an area that produces cattle, tobacco, and phosphates. The city welcomes visitors from the North, who came with the General Motors Saturn Manufactoring arrival in the 1980's.
History
A year after the organization of Maury County in 1807, Columbia was laid out in 1808 and lots were sold. The original town, on the south bank of the Duck River, consisted of only four blocks. The town was incorporated in 1817. For years, it was the county seat of the richest county in agricultural wealth in the state. Today, it is an important tourist destination, most of whom are drawn by the numerous historic sites in the area. Attractions include the James K. Polk Home, the Columbia Athenaeum, Mule Day, and nearby plantation homes.
Famous natives of Columbia include James K. Polk, Governor, Congressman, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and eleventh President of the United States; A.O.P. Nicholson, state senator, U.S. Senator, and Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court; Sterling Marlin, NASCAR driver; Dr. Marion Dorsett, inventor of the serum to control hog cholera; Fran McKee, first female line admiral in the U.S. Navy; and Raphael Benjamin West former Nashville major, noted Civil Rights ally.
Columbia Race Riot of 1946
File:Columbia race riot.jpg
Police Officers photographed during the riot
This file is a candidate for speedy deletion. It may be deleted after seven days from the date of nomination.
-->
In 1946, a race riot dubbed 'The Columbia Race Riot' occurred in the county seat, Columbia, TN.
A fight between James Stephenson, an black Navy veteran, and a white shopkeeper apparently ignited the event, and later that same day there was shooting, fighting, and rioting between whites and blacks in a part of Columbia known as "Mink Slide", a name for the black business district. Several people were eventually charged with rioting and attempted murder; the main attorney who arrived in Columbia to defend Stephenson in the case was Thurgood Marshall, who would later become the first black United States Supreme Court justice.[5]
Movies Filmed in Columbia
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 33,055 people, 13,059 households, and 8,801 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,116.8 people per square mile (431.2/km²). There were 14,322 housing units at an average density of 483.9/sq mi (186.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.63% White, 21.13% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.06% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.70% of the population.
There were 13,059 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,879, and the median income for a family was $42,822. Males had a median income of $34,898 versus $22,093 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,004. About 10.9% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- James K. Polk, President of the United States during the Mexican War.
- Lynnette Cole, Miss USA 2000
- Phil Everly, of the Everly Brothers, noted country-influenced rock and roll performer
- Joe Knight, Professional Basketball Player. Played in Turkey and Austria. State Champion Long Jumper at Columbia Central High School
- Coo Coo Marlin, NASCAR driver
- Steadman Marlin, NASCAR driver
- Sterling Marlin, NASCAR driver and Daytona 500 winner
- Joseph Bishop, First African-american Chief of Police
- Terry Peery, well-known Police Captain, Liaison, and Minister
- Dan Uggla, Major League Baseball player and All-Star for the Florida Marlins
- Corey Frizzell, Music Artist. When you hear the name Frizzell you automatically think music.
- Deon Cooper, Professional Basketball Player. NCAA, George Mason University (2000-2004). Played at Columbia Central High School.
References
External links
