Tarkio, Missouri

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Tarkio, Missouri
settlement_type = City
nickname =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Tarkio, Missouri


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Missouri
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Atchison
subdivision_type3 = Township
subdivision_name3 = Tarkio
government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 3.6
area_land_km2 = 3.6
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.4
area_land_sq_mi = 1.4
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1935
population_density_km2 = 539.7
population_density_sq_mi = 1397.9

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 283
elevation_ft = 928
latd = 40 |latm = 26 |lats = 28 |latNS = N
longd = 95 |longm = 22 |longs = 58 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 64491
area_code = 660
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 29-72340GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0727463GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Tarkio is a city in Tarkio Township, Atchison County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,935 at the 2000 census GR|2 [ [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&_name=Tarkio&_state=04000US29&_county=Tarkio&_cityTown=Tarkio&_zip=&_sse=on&_lang=en&pctxt=fph U.S. Census Bureau FactFinder] ] . It was founded in 1880fact|date=April 2007. The name "Tarkio" is from a Native American word meaning "The Little Walnut"fact|date=April 2007. Historically, the economy of the city was based on agriculture and its status as a college townfact|date=April 2007.

History

Tarkio was founded in 1880, and grew rapidly. The "Tarkio Avalanche" newspaper was founded in 1884fact|date=April 2007. By 1900, the U.S. Census shows 2,845 persons living in TarkioGR|2. According to the 1910, 1920, and 1930 census, the number of residents held fairly steady for the next 30 yearsGR|2.

Education

Tarkio was home to Tarkio College, a private Presbyterian college founded in 1883fact|date=April 2007. The college closed in 1992fact|date=April 2007.

Notable Residents

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 neoprenecite book |last=Hermes |first=Matthew |title=Enough for One Lifetime, Wallace Carothers the Inventor of Nylon |year=1996 |publisher=Chemical Heritage Foundation |isbn=0-8412-3331-4] .

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 Universitycite journal |last=Fisher |first=Reginald |title=Edgar Lee Hewett |journal=American Antiquity |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=pp. 78–79 |month=July | year=1947]

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 Tarkiocite web |last=IMDb |title=Walter Greene (II) |publisher=Amazon.com |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0338948/ |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-04-20] .

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 convert|25000|acre|km2|0 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 yearcite book |last=Stevens |first=Walter |title=Centennial History of Missouri (The Center State): One Hundred Years in the Union 1820-1891 |year=1921 |publisher=S. J. Clarke Publishing Company |location=St. Louis-Chicago |pages=pp. 802-803] . 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 recently resigned as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Geography

Tarkio is located at coor dms|40|26|28|N|95|22|58|W|city (40.441185, -95.382715)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²), all landGR|1.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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.

References

External links

* [http://www.tarkiomo.com/ Tarkio, MO Official Town Website]
* [http://www.avalanche-forum.com/ "Tarkio Avalanche" newspaper]
* [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Diary_of_Miss_Kitty_May_Ellis/3.17.1957#Page_5 Snowstorm in 1881]