Magee, Mississippi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please discuss this issue on the talk page or replace this tag with a more specific message. This article has been tagged since March 2007. |
Magee is a city in Simpson County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 4,200 at the 2000 census. And now stands at 5,019 as of Feb. 2007.
[edit] Contact Officials
For more information contact: Magee Chamber of Commerce 117 Northwest First Avenue Magee, MS 39111 601-849-2517
[edit] Overview
Magee is changing, growing, and evolving into a community where businesses thrive and families grow. It is an area full of promise and prosperity, where the soil is fertile for planting new ideas, new opportunities, new homes and new industries.
Magee is a rich tapestry which has been woven through the years with much love and hard work. The first settlers in the area were Arthur Mangum and Phil Magee. Both entered the area around 1820. Pioneers from Virginia and the Carolinas followed, and in 1840 Willis Magee built a grist mill on Little Goodwater Creek, inside the present city limits.
The community grew slowly and steadily, and on February 25, 1900, was incorporated as a village. The little community of 685 in 1910 has grown to a progressive city of close to 5,000 today.
Magee, Mississippi, is a strong, viable community with a strong business climate located centrally between two of the largest municipalities in the state. Magee has strong public and private schools, church facilities for all denominations and medical and dental facilities to meet the needs of the community. Magee has excellent residential and commercial development and a progressive chamber of commerce.
Magee's strength lies in the spirit of her people and their dedication to maintaining the high quality of life they have enjoyed through the years.
[edit] Famous people from Magee
Justin Griffith, John Mangum Sr., John Mangum Jr., Kris Mangum, Lake Garner and wife, and Harold Shaw.
[edit] Recognized local citizens
Jimmy Clyde (Mayor) Joe Mangum (Board of Alderman) Patrick Brown (Board of Alderman) Junior Grubbs (Board of Alderman) Robert Vision (Board of Alderman) Lane Steele (Board of Alderman) Ricky Davidson (MPD Chief)
[edit] Geography
Magee is located at (31.872684, -89.733699)GR1 in Central Mississippi.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 km² (4.9 mi²), all land.
Magee is positioned exactly between Jackson and Hattiesburg on U.S. Hwy. 49 at the intersection of MS Hwys. 541, 545, & 28. Magee is less than a 45 minute drive from 3 of Mississippi's largest cities; Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Laurel.
[edit] Weather
Magee's climate is generally mild with a gradual change from season to season. Annual mean temperature 65.8 degrees and average rainfall 56.9 inches.
[edit] Transportation
Highways: U.S. Hwy 49; State Highways 28, 545, & 541
Railroad: Illinois Central Gulf Railroad serves the Magee area.
Bus Lines: Greyhound Bus serves the area.
Airport: Three miles west of Magee is an airport. It maintains a lighted 3,104 x 50 ft. runway and is attended 24 hours a day. There is a hanger, lobby and office building complex. The complex is equipped with automatic dusk to dawn lights, beacon and a wind directional device.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 4,200 people, 1,573 households, and 984 families residing in the city. The population density was 332.3/km² (860.5/mi²). There were 1,725 housing units at an average density of 136.5/km² (353.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.67% White, 33.88% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 2.31% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.62% of the population.
There were 1,573 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,779, and the median income for a family was $24,176. Males had a median income of $23,690 versus $16,767 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,257. About 24.6% of families and 28.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.9% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Business and Industry
Prominent area industries include: Tyson Foods-poultry, Polk's Meat Products-specialty pork products, Real Pure Beverage Group-bottled water, Howard Industry-ballast manufacturer and Quality Foods-food distribution.
Simpson County Development Foundation Industrial Park is an ultramodern, 205 acre industrial park located on four-lane Highway 49: Rail services are available through Illinois Central Railroad. There is an abundant water supply and an Entergy substation providing ample electrical service to the park.
Magee Industrial Park in South Magee offers similar facilities.
Magee is also served by a Wal-Mart Supercenter with full scale services.
[edit] Education
The City of Magee is served by the Simpson County School District and the CITIZENS AND SUPPORTERS OF MAGEE.
Public: Magee High School, enrollment 659; Magee Middle School, enrollment 724; Magee Junior High School, enrollment 499, Magee Elementary beginning with K-4 enrollment 747; and Simpson County Vocational-Technical School, enrollment 308.
Private: Simpson Academy, located between Magee and Mendenhall offers a college preparatory curricula in Grades K-12 and is accredited by the Mississippi Private School Association.
Community College: A branch of Copiah-Lincoln Community College is located in Magee.
[edit] Medical
Magee General Hospital is a modern 64 bed facility with Swing Bed capability. We also have modern delivery suites with a newborn nursery. On staff are a number of specialists who compliment our basic core of Family Practice physicians.
Specialists include: Cardiovascular Associates, Jackson Heart Clinic, GI Associates, General Surgery, Jackson Oncology Associates, Jackson Eye Associates, Ear. Nose and Throat Surgical Group, Plastic Surgery Associates, Pulmonology, and Mississippi Urology Clinic.
The Radiology department features a CAT scanner, Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound. The Laboratory features the latest technology in computerized diagnostic equipment. The hospital offers 24 hour emergency services.
Magee Medical & Surgical clinic located adjacent to the hospital has five family practitioners. This building also houses the Hospital's physical therapy department.
Five dentists have practices in Magee.
Other facilities include Hil1crest Health Center, Boswell Regional Center at Sanatorium arid Millcreek Rehabilitation Center, a private residential center for mental, emotionally and physically handicapped. Five Home Health Agencies serve the area.
[edit] Public Service
Police: There are 16 full time Police personnel, including the Chief of Police and 12 Auxiliary officers. A new city hall, police station and city jail has been completed.
Ambulances: Magee is served by Emergystat Ambulance Service.
Volunteer Fire Department: Magee has 36 trained volunteer firemen, three pumpers, one rescue unit and two utility trucks.
Mississippi National Guard Unit: There are 149 members in the unit with five full time personnel.
Media Newspapers: Magee Courier, Simpson County News
[edit] Churches
New Jerusalem Apostolic Church, First Assembly of God, Holy Bible Assembly of God, Beulah Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Coat Baptist Church, Concord Baptist Church, Corinth Baptist Church, Dry Creek Baptist Church, Eastside Baptist Church, Goodhope Missionary Baptist Church, Goodwater Baptist Church, Magee Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Mt Lena Baptist Church, Pine Grove Baptist Church, Siloam Baptist Church, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Mary Grove Baptist Church, New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Goodwater CME, St. Stephens Catholic Church, Butler Memorial Church of God In Christ, St. John Church of God In Christ, Church of Latter Day Saints of Magee, First United Methodist Church of Magee, Church Alive, New Covenant Worship Center, Magee United Pentecostal Church, Magee Presbyterian Church, and Sharon Presbyterian Church.
[edit] Parks and Recreation
Simpson County Legion Lake: Fishing and motorboat facilities, camping, great picnic area.
McNair Springs: Natural Spring flows through the park, nature trail pavilion, three lighted baseball/softball fields, ideal for reunions, etc.
Magee City Park/Magee Community Playground: Six lighted tennis courts, two lighted baseball fields and shaded picnic area. A new playground recently (April 2003) built playground by volunteers of Magee and surrounding communities. Magee also has a community center, available for various meetings.
Private Country Club: Golfing, swimming and tennis are available.
YMCA: Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts, playground, baseball field, physical fitness equipment are all available. Along with the city, the YMCA features summer programs for various age groups: T-Ball, Baseball, Softball and other sports.
Magee Sports Complex: Four lighted ball fields, batting cages, large concession stand and press box.
[edit] Arts and Entertainment
Magee has a modern auditorium and local arts group include: Artists Mississippi, the Simpson County Arts Council, and the Lamplight Theatre. Also available is a five screen cinema. The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual Homecoming, the Christmas Parade, tree lighting and caroling.
A new modern Civic Center provides space for meetings for civic clubs and other organizations and houses the Magee Chamber of Commerce office. The Civic Center has complete modern kitchen facilities and was built by the city with financial help from various individuals and organizations.
[edit] Historical and Cultural
Magee Public Library: The first public library in Magee was established in 1935 through the interest of business and professional people in the town. Mrs. Maude Turner was librarian. In 1937, the library was named Mims Williams Memorial Library. The library is now a member of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System. The new library was built in 1975. It is staffed by two full-time workers and one part-time worker.
The Old Magee Cemetery: The Old Magee Cemetery is the burial place of some of Magee's earliest settlers. It is located in the Old Magee subdivision where many lovely homes have been built in recent years.
The Sanitarium Museum: A museum of memorabilia from the old Tuberculosis (TB) hospital. It includes the old telephone switchboard, a patient bedroom with nightstand, equipment and lots of photographs. It is located on Highway 49 North two miles north of Magee. Open seven days, 8:00 - 4:30, admission free.
[edit] Clubs in Magee
Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, Lions Club, The Dinner Club, Simpson County Business Women's Club, DAR, Sinfonia Music Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, American Legion, VFW, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA, Simpson County Development Foundation, The Busy Bee Club, Magee Main Street Association and our newest organization, Friends of the Park.
[edit] Sports
Magee High School Trojans are the 4-time 3A State Champ, 6-time 3A South State Champ, and 1-time 4A South State Champ. The Trojans have won a total of 14 division championships and made the playoffs 19 out of 23 years dating back to 1984. Though the total win list isn't accurate, the Magee Trojans Football Program ranks in the Top 5 in Mississippi in wins.
Magee High School won the first basketball state championship in Mississippi History in 1922. That year the teams' mascot was the Burrheads.
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
