Quitman, Mississippi

Quitman is a city in Clarke County, Mississippi, United States, along the Chickasawhay River. The population was 2,323 at the 2010 census.[4] Quitman is the county seat of Clarke County.[5][6]

Not to be confused with Quitman County, Mississippi.
Quitman, Mississippi
City
Clarke County Courthouse and Confederate monument in Quitman
Motto(s): 
"A Very Special Place To Call Home"[1]
Location of Quitman, Mississippi
Quitman, Mississippi
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 32°2′35″N 88°43′15″W
CountryUnited States
StateMississippi
CountyClarke
Area
 • Total5.90 sq mi (15.29 km2)
 • Land5.18 sq mi (13.41 km2)
 • Water0.72 sq mi (1.88 km2)
Elevation
230 ft (70 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total2,323
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
2,111
 • Density407.61/sq mi (157.39/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
39355
Area code(s)601
FIPS code28-60720
GNIS feature ID0676438
Websitewww.ci.quitman.ms.us

History

Quitman was established in 1839.[1] During the Civil War, a hospital built with funds raised in Galveston and Houston, among other places, was built there for the care of Confederate soldiers from Texas. Originally staffed by Dr. Louis Bryan with supplies purchased in Mexico, he was joined, and later supplanted, by Dr. Enos Bonney, a surgeon from Enterprise, Mississippi.[7] Though it cared for troops from any state, the hospital was colloquially known as "The Texas Hospital." Wounded soldiers from the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Jackson, and more local engagements, as well as those suffering from wartime diseases, were treated at the hospital. A cemetery was established adjacent to the hospital for those who succumbed to disease or wounds.

During General Sherman's Meridian Campaign, Brigadier General Walter Q. Gresham, Commander of the Third Brigade, Fourth Division, 17th Army Corps, was detached and sent to Quitman to destroy bridges crossing the Chickasawhay river and as through Alligator Swamp, as well as any other infrastructure that could be of any use to the Confederacy.[8] The force arrived at Quitman and proceeded to burn the town jail, courthouse, various stores, the railroad depot, and the Methodist Church, which was being used as a hospital.[9] Troops then burned down the entire Texas Hospital complex, which included two main buildings as well as twelve to fifteen barracks. The hospital was never rebuilt.[10][11]

Quitman was officially recognized by the Mississippi Legislature on February 13, 1839, and was named for the second Chancellor of the State, Gen. John A. Quitman, a strongly pro-slavery politician, leading Fire Eater, veteran of the Mexican–American War.[12]

Geography

Quitman is located near the center of Clarke County at 32°2′35″N 88°43′15″W (32.043004, -88.720867).[13] U.S. Route 45, a four-lane divided highway, bypasses the city to the east and leads north to Meridian and south to Waynesboro. Mississippi Highway 18 passes through the center of the city, departing south from the town but then turning northwest to Pachuta and Interstate 59, and leading east to the Alabama border. Mississippi Highway 145 represents the old alignment of US 45 and intersects Highway 18 in the center of town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.3 km2), of which 5.2 square miles (13.4 km2) is land and 0.73 square miles (1.9 km2), or 12.28%, is water.[4]

Climate
Climate data for Quitman
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 56.6
(13.7)		 62.0
(16.7)		 69.2
(20.7)		 77.5
(25.3)		 83.9
(28.8)		 89.7
(32.1)		 91.9
(33.3)		 91.5
(33.1)		 87.0
(30.6)		 77.8
(25.4)		 68.6
(20.3)		 60.0
(15.6)		 76.3
(24.6)
Average low °F (°C) 32.9
(0.5)		 36.1
(2.3)		 42.6
(5.9)		 50.3
(10.2)		 58.2
(14.6)		 65.1
(18.4)		 68.5
(20.3)		 67.6
(19.8)		 62.3
(16.8)		 49.2
(9.6)		 41.6
(5.3)		 35.4
(1.9)		 50.8
(10.4)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.5
(140)		 4.9
(120)		 6.1
(150)		 5.3
(130)		 4.0
(100)		 4.0
(100)		 5.1
(130)		 3.5
(89)		 3.8
(97)		 3.2
(81)		 4.0
(100)		 5.3
(130)		 54.8
(1,390)
Source: Weatherbase [14]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880410—
1890395−3.7%
190049826.1%
191095090.8%
19201,37544.7%
19301,87236.1%
19401,471−21.4%
19501,81723.5%
19602,03011.7%
19702,70233.1%
19802,632−2.6%
19902,7364.0%
20002,463−10.0%
20102,323−5.7%
2019 (est.)2,111[3]−9.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 2,463 people, 975 households, and 674 families residing in the city. The population density was 475.9 people per square mile (183.6/km2). There were 1,097 housing units at an average density of 212.0 per square mile (81.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 45.26% White, 53.25% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.41% of the population.

There were 975 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,469, and the median income for a family was $38,311. Males had a median income of $28,250 versus $21,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,789. About 16.9% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.2% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The city is served by the Quitman School District.[17][18]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "The City of Quitman Mississippi". The City of Quitman Mississippi. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Quitman city, Mississippi". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. "Profile for Quitman, Mississippi, MS". ePodunk. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  7. Ibid, Historic Clarke County Mississippi
  8. Sherman's Forgotten Campaign, M. Bearss
  9. No.33 Report of Brig. General Walter Q. Gresham, Official Records of the War of the Rebellion Volume XXXII/1 p. 247
  10. Military History of Mississippi, 1803 - 1893, Rowland, pgs 494 - 498
  11. The Texas Hospital & Confederate Cemetery Quitman, Mississippi, February 17, 1864, Wayne C. Bengston May 30, 2003
  12. "Quitman". Visit Clarke County. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
  13. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  14. "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Quitman, Mississippi". Weatherbase. 2011. Retrieved on November 24, 2011.
  15. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  17. "Quitman School District". Quitman School District. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  18. "Quitman School District". Great Schools Inc. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  19. "Andy Blakeney". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  20. "Wyatt Cooper". IMDb. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  21. Ben R. Guttery (October 2007). Representing Texas. Ben Guttery. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-4196-7884-4.
  22. Hanks, Nathan L. (29 March 2012). "Retired military working dog dies". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  23. United States. Congress. House. Committee on Resources (2002). Historical Information of the Committee on Resources and Its Predecessor Committees 1807-2002: Preparation for a Bicentennial : Prepared for the Use of the Committee on Resources of the One Hundred Seventh Congress, Second Session. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 666.
  24. "Kelly McCarty earns Southern Miss degree after lengthy career in NBA, Israel and Russia". southernmiss.com. University of Southern Mississippi. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  25. "Antonio McDyess". Baseball-Reference.Com. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  26. Zierlein, Lance. "Tarvarius Moore". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  27. Simba, Malik. "Homer Smith, Jr. (1909-1972)". blackpast.org. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  28. History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties: Containing a Concise History of the State, with Portraits and Biographies of Prominent Citizens of the Above Named Counties, and Personal Histories of Many of the Early Settlers and Leading Families. Lewis Publishing Company. 1893. p. 400.


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