Palmyra, Missouri

Palmyra, Missouri
City
Location of Palmyra, Missouri
Coordinates: 39°47′51″N 91°31′29″W / 39.79750°N 91.52472°W / 39.79750; -91.52472Coordinates: 39°47′51″N 91°31′29″W / 39.79750°N 91.52472°W / 39.79750; -91.52472
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Marion
Government
• Mayor	Loren Graham
Area[1]
• Total	2.76 sq mi (7.15 km2)
• Land	2.76 sq mi (7.15 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	640 ft (195 m)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	3,595
• Estimate (2012[3])	3,610
• Density	1,302.5/sq mi (502.9/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	63461
Area code(s)	573
FIPS code	29-56036[4]
GNIS feature ID	0736334[5]

Palmyra is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Missouri, United States.^[4] The population was 3,600 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hannibal Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Palmyra is located at 39°47′51″N 91°31′29″W / 39.79750°N 91.52472°W / 39.79750; -91.52472 (39.797396, -91.524857).^[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.76 square miles (7.15 km²), all of it land.^[1]

Transportation

On US 61-24, a divided highway, Palmyra is six miles from I-72 (US 36). St. Louis is about two hours away by car; Springfield, Illinois is a little less. Daily Amtrak trains link Quincy to downtown Chicago. Commuter air service connects Quincy to St. Louis.

History

In 1862 the city was the scene of the Palmyra Massacre, in which ten Confederate prisoners were killed in retaliation for the disappearance of a local Union man. R. I. Holcombe’s HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY published in 1884 (reprinted in 2003) includes the following excerpts describing Palmyra’s beginnings:

“The city of Palmyra, the county seat or capital of Marion County, is situated on portions of sections 23, 24, 25, and 26 in township 58, range 6. It is seven miles due west of the Mississippi river, the same distance from the southern boundary of the county, ten miles from the northern boundary, and sixteen from the western. It is twelve miles northwest from Hannibal and sixteen southwest of Quincy as the crow flies. “The location is beautiful—on an elevation on both sides of a spring branch, which rises in the town and flows from west to east. The original town plat, except on e street, is upon the south side of the little stream. The latter, fed by two springs mainly, furnishes an abundance of water to supply the ordinary needs of the community. “The town is well built, and well laid out. The streets are broad and roomy, and rest upon a natural rock foundation. All of the main streets are graded and stone guttered and provided with sidewalks. Drainage is so well established that the streets are always easily traversable. The majority of the residences are substantial, and many are imposing and attractive—the abodes of competence, refinement, and culture. “In November, 1818, Benjamin Vanlandingham came from Kentucky to what is now Marion county. With him came his sons Lewis, Meshach and William. His sons and some of the other settlers assisted him and he built a cabin a little southwest of the big spring, and moved in the same fall. “The town grew rapidly, and in 1820 Palmyra had 150 inhabitants. Those interested made efforts to increase the number of settlers, and in 1821 the first post-office was established, the mail coming, when it did come, from St. Louis on horseback by way of New London. “Maj. Obadiah Dickerson was the first postmaster. He kept the office in his hat a great portion of the time. Being frequently absent from home, in the woods hunting, or attending some public gathering of the settlers, the few letters constituting “the mail” were deposited under the lining of his huge bell-crown hat, often made a receptacle for papers, documents, handkerchiefs, etc., by gentlemen of the olden time. Asked why he carried the office about with him in this way, the old major replied: ‘So that if I meet a man who has a letter belonging to him I can give it to him, sir! I meet more men when I travel about than come to the office when I stay at home.’ As the mail at the Palmyra office increased, the major petitioned the department for a new and a larger hat!”

Education

Palmyra’s school district serves a 200-square-mile area with 6,700 people; there are 1,150 students and 170 teachers and staff. There are strong early childhood programs, a private parochial school and several day-care facilities. Nearby Hannibal, Canton, Moberly and Quincy are home to Hannibal-LaGrange College, Culver-Stockton College, Moberly Area Community College, Quincy University, and John Wood Community College

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 3,595 people, 1,425 households, and 963 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,302.5 inhabitants per square mile (502.9 /km²). There were 1,557 housing units at an average density of 564.1 per square mile (217.8 /km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.1% White, 2.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 1,425 households of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.4% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 22.8% were from 45 to 64; and 18.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 3,467 people, 1,372 households, and 923 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,559.9 people per square mile (603.0/km²). There were 1,522 housing units at an average density of 684.8 per square mile (264.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.22% White, 2.62% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.03% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.

There were 1,372 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,284, and the median income for a family was $42,946. Males had a median income of $30,829 versus $19,631 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,625. About 5.5% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under the age of 18 and 10.5% of those 65 and older.

Notable people

• Harry Richard Landis, one of the last surviving World War I veterans, was born near Palmyra
• Actress Jane Darwell born October 15, 1879, won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1940 as Ma Joad in The Grapes of Wrath

References

External links

• Palmyra, Missouri website
• Historic maps of Palmyra in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri

v t e Municipalities and communities of Marion County, Missouri, United States County seat: Palmyra Cities Hannibal‡ Monroe City‡ Palmyra Unincorporated communities Philadelphia Taylor West Quincy Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties