El Dorado Springs, Missouri

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

El Dorado Springs is a city in Cedar County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,775 at the 2000 census. El Dorado, as it is commonly shortened to, is the largest city in the county.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 External links

[edit] Geography

El Dorado Springs is located at 37°52′15″N, 94°1′16″W (37.870872, -94.021024)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.0 km² (3.1 mi²). 8.0 km² (3.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.32% is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 3,775 people, 1,654 households, and 984 families residing in the city. The population density was 473.2/km² (1,225.7/mi²). There were 1,897 housing units at an average density of 237.8/km² (615.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.37% White, 0.11% African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 1,654 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,789, and the median income for a family was $26,366. Males had a median income of $23,109 versus $15,197 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,575. About 18.7% of families and 24.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.7% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

El Dorado Springs was founded in 1881 by the Cruce brothers, Nathaniel and Waldo, who attempted to capitalize off the namesake spring's water. The spring was rumored to have medicinal value. Thus, El Dorado Springs became a destination for tourists and retirement.

The water, which has a heavy mineral content, was so valued that the Cruces named the city El Dorado Springs, after the legendary city of gold (although the residents of the city pronounce the name "el-dough-RAY-dough").

A local tradition is the Founder's Day Picnic. It began early in the town's existence as an annual gathering for residents of the town. The three night event has grown to be the largest attraction of the year, bringing thousands of visitors to the town. A carnival has provided rides in recent years, and the city council hires performers to give free concerts in the city park. Recent performers have been country stars Rushlow, Brian McComas, and Chely Wright.

The city boasts one of the oldest continuously playing municipal bands and the oldest continuously used bandstand in the United States. The municipal band, which is over one hundred years old, plays free concerts every Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon in June, July, and August. The band consists of local citizens from high schoolers to senior citizens.