Seneca, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Seneca is a city in Newton County, Missouri
, United States
. The population was 2,336 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Joplin, Missouri
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
broadcast their national weather report from the city on the following Monday morning. On the one year anniversary, Bill Lant, owner of Lant's Feed and Country Store, unveiled a memorial for the people who perished from the tornado. He had donated the plot of land and memorial and had the memorial built next to his store.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.5 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 2,135 people, 820 households, and 575 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,231.2 people per square mile (476.5/km²). There were 876 housing units at an average density of 505.2 per square mile (195.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.99% White, 0.09% African American, 6.56% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races
, and 3.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.
There were 820 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples
living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 19.8% 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 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,441, and the median income for a family was $37,566. Males had a median income of $28,264 versus $19,662 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,525. About 8.8% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.
Seneca is home to American Tripoli, producer of "Seneca Standard" grades of tripoli, a naturally occurring microcrystalline silica product which is used as an abrasive and metal polishing compound. Processing is done in Seneca, but much of the raw material is now mined in Oklahoma. Rock and mineral collectors can pick up samples of this "stone that floats" from alongside the railroad siding near the unloading area of the plant.
A famous landmark in Seneca is the giant can of Milnot (an evaporated milk product that substitutes vegetable oil for the butter-fat) located on the factory roof at the State Line. Before the Oklahoma toll-road to Joplin was opened in 1959, this landmark on US Route 60 meant "Welcome to Missouri". It has now been updated to the new label design, since J.M. Smucker took over ownership.
An exciting series of hills and dips on Route 43 south of Seneca has provided roller-coaster thrills to (perhaps recklessly speeding) automobile drivers for at least 70 years. This same road leads to a Missouri Department of Conservation access point on the beautiful Elk River, a dozen miles south of Seneca.
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 2,336 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Joplin, Missouri
Joplin, Missouri
Joplin is a city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County in the southwestern corner of the US state of Missouri. Joplin is the largest city in Jasper County, though it is not the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 50,150...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Area
The Joplin Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties – Jasper and Newton – in southwest Missouri, anchored by the city of Joplin...
.
2008 tornado
Several houses in the city were destroyed by a tornado on Saturday May 10, 2008. The Early ShowThe Early Show
The Early Show is an American television morning news talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City. The program airs live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones air the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. ...
broadcast their national weather report from the city on the following Monday morning. On the one year anniversary, Bill Lant, owner of Lant's Feed and Country Store, unveiled a memorial for the people who perished from the tornado. He had donated the plot of land and memorial and had the memorial built next to his store.
Geography
Seneca is located at 36°50′25"N 94°36′36"W (36.840318, -94.609918).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 1.7 square miles (4.5 km²), all land.
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 2,135 people, 820 households, and 575 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 1,231.2 people per square mile (476.5/km²). There were 876 housing units at an average density of 505.2 per square mile (195.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.99% White, 0.09% African American, 6.56% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.33% 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 3.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.
There were 820 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% 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, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 19.8% 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 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,441, and the median income for a family was $37,566. Males had a median income of $28,264 versus $19,662 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 $14,525. About 8.8% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.
Interesting facts
Seneca is located in Lost Creek Valley 5 miles upstream from the Grand Lake of the Cherokees and 5 miles downstream from the quaint Old Settler's town of Racine. The Frisco Railroad (now Burlington-Northern) runs through this valley. Prior to 1959, highway traffic to and from Oklahoma largely followed US 60 through Seneca rather than the more famous Route 66 with which it joins about 15 miles west of Seneca. At that time Seneca was a thriving and beautiful roadside stop. The Drive-In next to the Lost Creek bridge was a "must-stop" for kids who tired of being cooped up in the car.Seneca is home to American Tripoli, producer of "Seneca Standard" grades of tripoli, a naturally occurring microcrystalline silica product which is used as an abrasive and metal polishing compound. Processing is done in Seneca, but much of the raw material is now mined in Oklahoma. Rock and mineral collectors can pick up samples of this "stone that floats" from alongside the railroad siding near the unloading area of the plant.
A famous landmark in Seneca is the giant can of Milnot (an evaporated milk product that substitutes vegetable oil for the butter-fat) located on the factory roof at the State Line. Before the Oklahoma toll-road to Joplin was opened in 1959, this landmark on US Route 60 meant "Welcome to Missouri". It has now been updated to the new label design, since J.M. Smucker took over ownership.
An exciting series of hills and dips on Route 43 south of Seneca has provided roller-coaster thrills to (perhaps recklessly speeding) automobile drivers for at least 70 years. This same road leads to a Missouri Department of Conservation access point on the beautiful Elk River, a dozen miles south of Seneca.
Notable natives
- Morris WattsMorris Watts-External links:* *...
- Former assistant football coach at Michigan St. University. - Scott ElbertScott ElbertTimothy Scott Elbert is a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school years:...
- Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. - Steve GainesSteve GainesSteven Earl Gaines was an American musician. He is most well known as a guitarist and songwriter for southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and is the younger brother of Cassie Gaines, who was also a member of the band...
- Guitarist for Lynyrd SkynyrdLynyrd SkynyrdLynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
. - Cassie GainesCassie GainesCassie LaRue Gaines was an American singer. She was a member of the female gospel vocal trio The Honkettes, who in 1975 became the backup singers for Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd....
- Back up singer for Lynyrd SkynyrdLynyrd SkynyrdLynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
.
External links
- Historic maps of Seneca 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...
- http://2010.census.gov/2010census/popmap/
- http://www.census.gov/