La Plata, Missouri

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

La Plata is a city in Macon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,486 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Notable
5 External links

[edit] Geography

La Plata is located at 40°1′26″N, 92°29′32″W (40.024013, -92.492279)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,486 people, 630 households, and 388 families residing in the city. The population density was 470.3/km² (1,219.0/mi²). There were 702 housing units at an average density of 222.2/km² (575.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.65% White, 0.13% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.

There were 630 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 24.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 79.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,583, and the median income for a family was $36,071. Males had a median income of $26,438 versus $17,880 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,675. About 9.0% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

On St. Patrick's Day, 1827, Drury Davis established a trading post about a half-mile west of what would become La Plata. The town would develop as the intersection of north and south stagecoach roads. The town was surveyed by Henry O. Clark in 1855. Clark presented a plat to settlers Louis Gex, Theodore Saunders and Dr. W. W. Moore. The men accepted the plan, and named the streets surrounding the city park for themselves (Clark chose a street one block south of the square, along his father's land). The town prospered as a small farming center, like Kirksville 10 miles to the North.

According to local tradition, the name resulted from a lottery: the townsfolk were invited to put a proposed name into a hat, and "La Plata" was the one drawn; it had been Dr. Moore's choice, under the mistaken impression that it was French for "the silver river."

The North Missouri (later known as the Wabash Railroad) came to town in 1867, and the Santa Fe Railroad twenty years later, passing through La Plata on its route from Chicago to Kansas City.

Amenities include a public library,a newly built train themed hotel, two banks, one grocery store, two convenience stores, a pharmacy, U. S. Post Office, two doctors, a dental office, and many other businesses. Recreational facilities include an 18-hole golf course, two tennis courts, an outdoor basketball court, a city park, baseball/softball field, and a public lake for swimming and fishing.

[edit] Notable

La Plata was the home of Lester Dent (1904-1959), author of 165 "Doc Savage" novels.

Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops at La Plata on its way from Chicago to Los Angeles. The town has restored the art deco depot to its original appearance. The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe freight line still passes through.

There are a number of beautiful and historic homes, including the Gilbreath-McLorn House and the Doneghy home.

On December 9, 2006 a new company moved to La Plata, TrainWeb Inc. A web-based company from California. They decided to move to La Plata after seeking a centralized shipping location for their goods being sold. In the future, they plan on developing a "Rail Resort" for tourists.