Difference between revisions of "Dexter, Missouri"
(Added to page) |
(Added to page) |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
After the [[Civil War]], plans resumed for the construction of an east-west railroad that would connect the [[Ozarks]] with [[Cairo, Illinois]] and the vital [[Mississippi River]] trade. Work on a railroad had begun in 1859 but was halted by the outbreak of war. Eventually named the Cairo, Arkansas, and Texas Railroad, it was gradually extended west to [[Poplar Bluff, Missouri|Poplar Bluff]], the first train operating in September 1873. | After the [[Civil War]], plans resumed for the construction of an east-west railroad that would connect the [[Ozarks]] with [[Cairo, Illinois]] and the vital [[Mississippi River]] trade. Work on a railroad had begun in 1859 but was halted by the outbreak of war. Eventually named the Cairo, Arkansas, and Texas Railroad, it was gradually extended west to [[Poplar Bluff, Missouri|Poplar Bluff]], the first train operating in September 1873. | ||
| − | The arrival of the railroad spurred settlement of the south-central portion of Stoddard County, and in 1873, Liberty Township was organized, with lots being sold for the creation of a town in the center, near the new railroad depot. According to most accounts, the new community was dubbed "Dexter" in honor of a race horse belonging to one Mr. Dex, a prominent landowner in the area. The first lots were sold on July 4, 1873, considered to be the official "founding" of Dexter. | + | The arrival of the railroad spurred settlement of the south-central portion of Stoddard County, and in 1873, Liberty Township was organized, with lots being sold for the creation of a town in the center, near the new railroad depot. According to most accounts, the new community was dubbed "Dexter" in honor of a race horse belonging to one Mr. Dex, a prominent landowner in the area.<ref>https://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_stoddard.html</ref> The first lots were sold on July 4, 1873, considered to be the official "founding" of Dexter. |
With the presence of the railroad, the town grew rapidly, profiting first from the clearing and sale of timber from the nearby swamps, then from the conversion of ex-wetland to agriculture. A thriving business district developed on higher ground along Stoddard and Walnut Streets, followed by prominent churches, a school district established in 1880, and many stately homes. | With the presence of the railroad, the town grew rapidly, profiting first from the clearing and sale of timber from the nearby swamps, then from the conversion of ex-wetland to agriculture. A thriving business district developed on higher ground along Stoddard and Walnut Streets, followed by prominent churches, a school district established in 1880, and many stately homes. | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
Most of Dexter lies on Crowley's Ridge, though since the ridge narrows significantly just to the south, portions of the town are in the flatlands to the east and west. The town has an average elevation of 371 feet. | Most of Dexter lies on Crowley's Ridge, though since the ridge narrows significantly just to the south, portions of the town are in the flatlands to the east and west. The town has an average elevation of 371 feet. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Demographics== | ||
| + | |||
| + | At the 2010 census, Dexter had a total population of 7,864. There were 3,359 households, with an average household size of 2.28. 97.1% of the inhabitants were White, 0.5% were African-American, 0.5% were Native American, 0.2% were Asian, 0.2% were of some other race, and 1.4% were of two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 1.9% of the population.<ref>https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF</ref> | ||
[[Category:Missouri Cities and Towns]] | [[Category:Missouri Cities and Towns]] | ||
Revision as of 16:36, June 27, 2019
Dexter is a city in Stoddard County, Missouri. It is the largest community in the county, with a population of 7,864 at the 2010 Census.
History
Settlement in the Dexter area began in the early 1850s, but did not occur on a large scale at this time, as it was located closer to the unhealthy swamps in the southern part of the county and away from the more established region around Bloomfield.
After the Civil War, plans resumed for the construction of an east-west railroad that would connect the Ozarks with Cairo, Illinois and the vital Mississippi River trade. Work on a railroad had begun in 1859 but was halted by the outbreak of war. Eventually named the Cairo, Arkansas, and Texas Railroad, it was gradually extended west to Poplar Bluff, the first train operating in September 1873.
The arrival of the railroad spurred settlement of the south-central portion of Stoddard County, and in 1873, Liberty Township was organized, with lots being sold for the creation of a town in the center, near the new railroad depot. According to most accounts, the new community was dubbed "Dexter" in honor of a race horse belonging to one Mr. Dex, a prominent landowner in the area.[1] The first lots were sold on July 4, 1873, considered to be the official "founding" of Dexter.
With the presence of the railroad, the town grew rapidly, profiting first from the clearing and sale of timber from the nearby swamps, then from the conversion of ex-wetland to agriculture. A thriving business district developed on higher ground along Stoddard and Walnut Streets, followed by prominent churches, a school district established in 1880, and many stately homes.
Though the timber and railroads ceased to be quite as important to the local economy by the mid-20th century, the presence of large deposits of gravel and clay nearby, as well as trade opportunities provided by the intersection of major highways in Dexter, maintained the town's prosperity. Since 1900, it has been the largest town in Stoddard County, and among the larger ones in Southeast Missouri at large.[2]
Geography
Dexter is located in south-central Stoddard County, about five miles south of Bloomfield and eight miles north of Bernie. The intersection of the county's two major roads, U.S. Route 60 (east-west) and Missouri State Highway 25 (north-south), lies on the northeastern edge of town. U.S. Route 60 connects Dexter with Poplar Bluff, about 30 miles to the west, and with Sikeston, about 20 miles to the east, with Cairo and the Mississippi River another 25 miles beyond.
Most of Dexter lies on Crowley's Ridge, though since the ridge narrows significantly just to the south, portions of the town are in the flatlands to the east and west. The town has an average elevation of 371 feet.
