El Dorado Springs, Missouri
Encyclopedia
El Dorado Springs is the largest city in Cedar County
Cedar County, Missouri
Cedar County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2000, the population was 13,733. Its county seat is Stockton.- Origin of name :...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,775 at the 2000 census. The name is commonly shortened to El Dorado or just El Do.
Geography
El Dorado Springs is located at 37°52′15"N 94°1′16"W (37.870872, -94.021024).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8 km²), of which, 3.1 square miles (8 km²) of it is land and 0.32% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,775 people, 1,654 households, and 984 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,225.7 people per square mile (473.2/km²). There were 1,897 housing units at an average density of 615.9 per square mile (237.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96% White, 0.4% African American, 1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
History
El Dorado Springs was founded in 1881 near a natural spring by brothers Nathaniel and Waldo Cruce who attempted to capitalize on the namesake's spring water. The spring water was claimed to have medicinal value, which made El Dorado Springs a destination for tourists and retirees. The spring water, which has a heavy mineral content, was deemed so valuable that the Cruces named the city after the legendary city of gold, El DoradoEl Dorado
El Dorado is the name of a Muisca tribal chief who covered himself with gold dust and, as an initiation rite, dived into a highland lake.Later it became the name of a legendary "Lost City of Gold" that has fascinated – and so far eluded – explorers since the days of the Spanish Conquistadors...
.
An annual tradition is the Founder's Day Picnic. It began early in the town's existence as an annual gathering for residents of the town. This 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. This upcoming picnic will be the city's 131st.
Residents of El Dorado Springs pronounce the city name "el-doh-RAY-doh springs".
The town is also commonly referred to as El Do.
El Dorado Springs boasts the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
longest continually used bandstand
Bandstand
A bandstand is a circular or semicircular structure set in a park, garden, pier, or indoor space, designed to accommodate musical bands performing concerts...
.
Notable Residents
El Dorado Springs is the proud home to Eric Matthews, who was the 2009 Missouri National Geographic Spelling Bee Champion. He went to Washington D.C. to represent the state.El Dorado Springs is the proud home to Makenzie Melton, who is the winner of the "Doodle 4 Google" competition. Makenzie’s design was selected from more than 33,000 student submissions from all over the country.
External links
- Chamber of Commerce
- The El Dorado Springs Sun Newspaper Website
- Cedar County Library
- El Dorado Springs R-2 School District
- Historic maps of El Dorado Springs in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of MissouriUniversity of MissouriThe University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...