| Tarkio, Missouri | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Location of Tarkio, Missouri | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Atchison |
| Township | Tarkio |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km2) |
| • Land | 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 928 ft (283 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 1,935 |
| • Density | 1,397.9/sq mi (539.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 64491 |
| Area code(s) | 660 |
| FIPS code | 29-72340[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0727463[2] |
Tarkio is a city in Tarkio Township, Atchison County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,583 at the 2010 census [1].[3] It was platted in 1880 and incorporated in 1881. The name "Tarkio" is from a Native American word meaning "place where walnuts grow".[4] Historically, the economy of the city was based on agriculture and its status as a college town.
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Tarkio was founded in 1880, and grew rapidly. The Tarkio Avalanche newspaper was founded in 1884. By 1900, the U.S. Census shows 2,845 persons living in Tarkio[1]. According to the 1910, 1920, and 1930 census, the number of residents held fairly steady for the next 30 years[1].
One of the community's most famous landmarks was the Tarkio Mule Barn, an octagonal brick structure built in the early 1890s. It was converted to the Tarkio Mule Barn Theatre which was used by Tarkio College. It was on the National Register of Historic Places, but the building was destroyed in a 1989 fire.[5]
Tarkio was home to Tarkio College, a private Presbyterian college founded in 1883. The college closed in 1991.[4]
One of Tarkio College's alumni was scientist Wallace Hume Carothers (1896–1937). He obtained his four year degree at the college, went on to teach at Harvard University, and is considered the "father of man-made polymers." He is responsible for the discovery of nylon and neoprene.[6]
Another alumnus of Tarkio College was anthropologist Edgar Lee Hewett (1865–1946), remembered for his role in bringing about the Antiquities Act that enabled preservation of archaeological sites as United States national monuments. Hewett received his degree in pedagogy from the college, moved to Colorado and then to New Mexico, and became the first president of the New Mexico Normal School, now New Mexico Highlands University[7]
Music composer Walter Greene (1910–1983), best known for his work at DePatie-Freleng Enterprises (notable works included The Pink Panther Show & The Inspector), was born in Tarkio.[8]
David Rankin (1825–1910), the so-called "Missouri Corn King", was a resident of Tarkio. Starting with a single ox and plow, Rankin grew his farm to over 25,000 acres (101 km2) of land, 12,000 head of cattle, and 25,000 hogs in Northwest Missouri. By using the latest tools and technology, Rankin was able to raise a crop of as much as 1,000,000 bushels of corn in a single year.[9] Rankin Hall, a building on the former Tarkio College campus, was named for the Rankin family.
U.S. Representative Sam Graves is from Tarkio, as is his brother, Todd Graves, who resigned as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri in 2006.
Tarkio is located at .[10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2), all land.[10]
As of the 2010 Census Tarkio had a population of 1,583 people. 16 of the residents reported being Hispanic or Latino. Of the remaining residents 1,536 reported being white, 13 reported being black or African American, 5 reported being Native American or Alaskan Native, 6 reported being Asian, and 7 reported being both white and either African American, Native American or Asian.[11]
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,935 people, 749 households, and 468 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,397.9 people per square mile (541.4/km²). There were 843 housing units at an average density of 609.0/sq mi (235.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.45% White, 6.30% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.78% of the population.
There were 749 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,144, and the median income for a family was $34,625. Males had a median income of $26,900 versus $18,681 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,160. About 12.4% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.
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