Editing Memphis, Missouri

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Memphis, Missouri
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = MemphisMoCityLimits.jpg
|image_caption            = [[Town sign]]
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Scotland_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Memphis_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location of Memphis, Missouri
|image_map1               = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Missouri]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Missouri|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Scotland County, Missouri|Scotland]]

|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         = May 15, 1843

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 28, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 4.05
|area_land_km2            = 4.04
|area_water_km2           = 0.02
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.56
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.56
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 1731
|population_density_sq_mi = 1111.04
|population_density_km2   = 428.92

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 764
|coordinates              = {{coord|40|27|41|N|92|10|14|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 63555
|area_code                = [[Area code 660|660]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 29-47270 <ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2395092<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395092}}</ref>
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|population_footnotes = 
}}

'''Memphis''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Scotland County, Missouri|Scotland County]], on the northern border of [[Missouri]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 1,731.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=redistricting&g=1600000US2947270&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1&hidePreview=true|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 17, 2021}}</ref> [[U.S. Route 136|U.S. Highway 136]] passes near Memphis, which is east of [[Lancaster, Missouri|Lancaster]] and west of [[Kahoka, Missouri|Kahoka]].

==History==
[[File:ScotlandCountyCourthouse1.jpg|thumb|left|Scotland County court house in Memphis.]]
[[File:MemphisMoCityHall.jpg|thumb|right|Memphis city hall.]]
Although the [[Missouri General Assembly]] organized Scotland County on January 29, 1841, the town of Memphis was not developed until more than two years later. County commissioners met at Sand Hill on May 15, 1843, to select the county seat. They chose a spot near the county's geographical center and, after some debate, named it Memphis,<ref name="Goodspeed">{{cite book|title=''History of Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri''|year=1887|publisher=Goodspeed Publishing Company|location=St. Louis & Chicago}}</ref> after [[Memphis, Egypt]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RfAuAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA362 | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1918 | pages=362}}</ref> The name had been previously used by a U.S. Post Office that operated near the [[North Fabius River]] a short distance away.

Early settler Samuel Cecil donated about 50 acres of land to the county for the new town. After being laid out in town lots, the original plat of Memphis was filed in county court on October 11, 1843.<ref name="Goodspeed"/> A few homes had already been developed in the area, the first being a log cabin constructed in 1835 by Burton Tompkins.

Scotland County's first courthouse, a two-story brick structure, was completed in June 1845 at a cost of $1,500.<ref name="Extension">{{cite web|last=Ohman|first=Marian M.|url=http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPrinterFriendlyPub.aspx?P=UED6098|title=''Scotland County Courthouse''|publisher=University of Missouri Extension|access-date=30 September 2012}}</ref> A decade later the county court declared the building unsafe. A second, larger courthouse was constructed in the middle of the town square in 1856 at a cost of $19,500. That building served the county well until the turn of the 20th century, but its small size made it outdated; it measured 40 by 70 feet. It was condemned in May 1905 and razed in early 1907.<ref name="Extension" /> The current Scotland County courthouse was constructed between October 1907 and July 1908 at a cost of $50,000.

===Civil War===
Scotland County was the scene of two notable engagements during the [[American Civil War]]. On July 13, 1862, [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] Colonel [[Joseph C. Porter]] approached Memphis in four converging columns totaling 125–169 men, and captured the city with little or no resistance.<ref name="Mudd">{{cite book|last=Mudd|first=Joseph A.|title=''With Porter in North Missouri''|year=1889|publisher=The National Publishing Company|pages=72–90|location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref> They first raided the federal armory, seizing about 100 muskets with cartridge boxes and ammunition, and several uniforms. The Confederates rounded up all adult males and took them to the courthouse. They had to swear not to divulge any information about the raiders for 48 hours. Porter freed all militiamen or suspected militiamen to await parole. He gave safe passage to a physician, an admitted Union supporter, who was anxious to return to a seriously ill wife. Porter's troops entered the courthouse and destroyed all indictments for horse-theft. This act has been variously interpreted as lawlessness, intervention on behalf of criminal associates, or interference with politically motivated, fraudulent charges.<ref name="Mudd"/>

According to the ''History of Shelby County,'' which is generally sympathetic to Porter, “Most conceded that Col. Porter’s purpose for capturing Memphis, MO. was to seize Dr. Wm. Aylward, a prominent Union man of the community.” Aylward was confined to a house after being captured by Captain Tom Stacy's men. Stacy was generally regarded as a [[bushwhacker]]; other members of Porter's command called his company "the chain gang". Guards claimed that Aylward escaped, but witnesses reported hearing a strangling. The doctor's body was found the next day, marked by signs consistent with hanging or strangulation.<ref name="Mudd"/> Supporters of Porter attributed Aylward's murder to Stacy, but questions remained.<ref name="Mudd"/>
<!-- What was the second engagement referred to in first sentence of this section? Question whether the Aylward incident should be described at length -->

===20th century===
In the late 1920s, [[The Pheasant Aircraft Company]] was established in Memphis.<!-- And? still operating or what? -->

==Geography==
Memphis is located along the [[North Fabius River]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|1.57|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|1.56|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-07-02}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box 
| location = Memphis, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1938–present)
| single line = Y
| width = auto
| Jan record high F = 70
| Feb record high F = 77
| Mar record high F = 85
| Apr record high F = 91
| May record high F = 99
| Jun record high F = 102
| Jul record high F = 106
| Aug record high F = 105
| Sep record high F = 103
| Oct record high F = 98
| Nov record high F = 88
| Dec record high F = 71
| year record high F = 106
| Jan high F = 32.5
| Feb high F = 37.5
| Mar high F = 49.8
| Apr high F = 62.2
| May high F = 72.1
| Jun high F = 81.8
| Jul high F = 85.8
| Aug high F = 84.3
| Sep high F = 77.3
| Oct high F = 64.6
| Nov high F = 49.8
| Dec high F = 37.7
| year high F = 61.3
| Jan mean F = 23.1
| Feb mean F = 27.5
| Mar mean F = 39.2
| Apr mean F = 50.6
| May mean F = 61.3
| Jun mean F = 71.0
| Jul mean F = 75.1
| Aug mean F = 73.2
| Sep mean F = 65.2
| Oct mean F = 53.1
| Nov mean F = 39.5
| Dec mean F = 28.9
| year mean F = 50.6
| Jan low F = 13.8
| Feb low F = 17.6
| Mar low F = 28.6
| Apr low F = 39.0
| May low F = 50.5
| Jun low F = 60.2
| Jul low F = 64.4
| Aug low F = 62.1
| Sep low F = 53.2
| Oct low F = 41.6
| Nov low F = 29.3
| Dec low F = 20.0
| year low F = 40.0
| Jan record low F = −24
| Feb record low F = −23
| Mar record low F = -13
| Apr record low F = 6
| May record low F = 25
| Jun record low F = 35
| Jul record low F = 42
| Aug record low F = 40
| Sep record low F = 25
| Oct record low F = 15
| Nov record low F = -13
| Dec record low F = −23
| year record low F = -24
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.51
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.47
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.15
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.65
| May precipitation inch = 5.48
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.71
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.30
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.78
| Sep precipitation inch = 3.57
| Oct precipitation inch = 2.98
| Nov precipitation inch = 2.16
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.58
| year precipitation inch = 37.34
| Jan snow inch = 6.6
| Feb snow inch = 6.8
| Mar snow inch = 1.2
| Apr snow inch = 0.4
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.2
| Nov snow inch = 0.7
| Dec snow inch = 3.4
| year snow inch = 19.3
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 5.0
| Feb precipitation days = 5.4
| Mar precipitation days = 6.9
| Apr precipitation days = 8.5
| May precipitation days = 10.0
| Jun precipitation days = 8.8
| Jul precipitation days = 7.2
| Aug precipitation days = 6.7
| Sep precipitation days = 6.2
| Oct precipitation days = 6.6
| Nov precipitation days = 5.5
| Dec precipitation days = 5.5
| year precipitation days = 82.3
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 2.5
| Feb snow days = 2.4
| Mar snow days = 0.7
| Apr snow days = 0.1
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.1
| Nov snow days = 0.4
| Dec snow days = 2.3
| year snow days = 8.5
| source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= nws>
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dvn
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 11, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00235492&format=pdf
| title = Station: Memphis, MO
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 11, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 183
|1870= 1007
|1880= 1418
|1890= 1780
|1900= 2195
|1910= 1984
|1920= 1941
|1930= 1728
|1940= 1935
|1950= 2035
|1960= 2106
|1970= 2081
|1980= 2105
|1990= 2094
|2000= 2061
|2010= 1822
|2020= 1731
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,822 people, 813 households, and 466 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1167.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 994 housing units at an average density of {{convert|637.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.2% of the population.

There were 813 households, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.7% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 43.8 years. 24% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.2% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 23.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.6% male and 55.4% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 2,061 people, 888 households, and 523 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,316.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,052 housing units at an average density of {{convert|671.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.88% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.19% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.15% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.15% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.63% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.53% of the population.

There were 888 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 28.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 79.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,508, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $21,947 versus $17,134 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,220. About 15.2% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
Public education in Memphis is administered by Scotland County R-I School District.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://scotland.k12.mo.us | title=Homepage | publisher=Scotland County R-I School District | access-date=4 June 2019}}</ref>

The Scotland County Memorial Library is in Memphis, serving the city and all county residents.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610012728/http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 June 2017 | title=Missouri Public Libraries | publisher=PublicLibraries.com | access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>

==Notable people==
<!-- '''PLEASE DO NOT''' add BROCK BONDURANT to list of notables at this time. He DOES NOT meet the Wikipedia rules for notability. IF he becomes Mizzou starting QB in future years then he might then be notable enough. But for now he is not. If you add it the name will be swiftly removed. Please obey the Wikipedia guidelines. Thank you. -->
* [[Alexandre Hogue]], realist painter based in Dallas, Texas, known mostly for landscapes
* [[Tom Horn]], Chief of Scouts during Apache Wars, range detective, gunfighter
* [[George Saling]], track & field athlete, gold medal winner at [[1932 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Adrienne Wilkinson]], TV, film and voiceover actress; notable roles on ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]'' and ''[[As If (U.S. TV series)|As If]]''.
<!-- '''PLEASE DO NOT''' add BROCK BONDURANT to list of notables at this time. He DOES NOT meet the Wikipedia rules for notability so his name will be swiftly removed. IF he becomes Mizzou starting QB in future years then he might then be notable enough. But for now he is not. Please obey the Wikipedia guidelines.Thank you. -->

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=200px>
File:MemphisMoNorthSideSquare.jpg|North side of the Memphis square. September, 2012.
File:MemphisMoEastSideSquare.jpg|East side of the Memphis square. September, 2012.
File:MemphisMoSouthSideSquare.jpg|South side of the Memphis square. September, 2012.
File:MemphisMoWestSideSquare.jpg|West side of the Memphis square. September, 2012.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Americana Poster|Memphis (Mo.)|Memphis, Missouri}}
* Historic maps of Memphis in the [http://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/mu/islandora/object/mu%3A138885 Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection] at the [[University of Missouri]]
* {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Memphis (Missouri)|display=Memphis. A city and the county-seat of Scotland County, Mo.|short=x}}

{{Scotland County, Missouri}}
{{Missouri county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Scotland County, Missouri]]
[[Category:County seats in Missouri]]
[[Category:1843 establishments in Missouri]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1843]]
[[Category:Cities in Missouri]]