Fulton, Missouri | |
|---|---|
| City of Fulton | |
 Callaway County Courthouse in Fulton | |
| Nickname(s): Tri-Cities (with Columbia and Jefferson City) | |
 Location of Fulton, Missouri | |
| Coordinates:38°51′19″N91°57′04″W / 38.85528°N 91.95111°W /38.85528; -91.95111[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Callaway |
| Founded | 1825 |
| Incorporated | March 14, 1859 |
| Named after | Robert Fulton |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Steve Myers |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.46 sq mi (32.28 km2) |
| • Land | 12.33 sq mi (31.93 km2) |
| • Water | 0.14 sq mi (0.35 km2) |
| Elevation | 801 ft (244 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,600 |
| • Density | 1,021.98/sq mi (394.59/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 65251 |
| Area code | 573 |
| FIPS code | 29-26182 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394834[1] |
| Website | Official website |
Fulton is the largestcity in and thecounty seat ofCallaway County,Missouri, United States.[3] Located about 22 miles (35 km) northeast ofJefferson City and theMissouri River and 20 miles (32 km) east ofColumbia, the city is part of theJefferson City, Missouri,Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 12,600 at the2020 census. The city is home to two universities,Westminster College andWilliam Woods University; theMissouri School for the Deaf; the Fulton State Hospital; and the Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center state prison. Missouri's onlynuclear power plant, theCallaway Plant is located 13 miles southeast of Fulton.
The first settlement in the county was in 1809 atCote Sans Dessein along the Missouri River. Early leaders considered siting the first Missouri state capital in the territory between Wainwright and Tebbetts. Callaway County was organized in 1820 and was named after CaptainJames Callaway, who was killed by Native Americans. Elizabeth became the first county seat. Many of the villages and towns in the county today represent places where railroad stations existed in early years.
In 1861, word arrived that Union troops had advanced to a nearby county. Colonel Jefferson F. Jones, from eastern Callaway County, assembled troops to protect the county. Forces were limited as many were already defending the country, but Jones marched the troops eastward to meet the approaching companies.
The successful defense was merely an illusion. Tree logs, erected by the troops, resembled artillery in the shadows of campfires and deterred Union troops. Talks continued several days and secured a mutual ceasefire agreement between the United States of America and Callaway County. Elated from the successful defense, citizens proclaimed their county The Kingdom of Callaway, a reference that remains today.
Fulton, the largest city in Callaway County, was founded and became the county seat in 1825 but was not incorporated until March 14, 1859. The city was originally named Volney afterConstantin François de Chassebœuf, comte de Volney,[4] but was changed to honorRobert Fulton, the engineer and inventor, two months after the initial Volney name in 1825.[5]Volney, New York is atown inOswego County, New York which is also named for Volney. Avillage within the town of Volney isFulton, New York which is also named for Robert Fulton.
The early residents of Fulton were from predominantly southern culture. The coastal and upland southerners that settled the land brought with them slaves and established an agricultural economy.
When the first history of Callaway County was compiled in 1884, the die had already been cast as far as the type of community Fulton was to be. The Missouri General Assembly had voted to establish an asylum for the insane in Fulton (February 26, 1847), the first mental health facility west of the Mississippi; the General Assembly agreed (February 28, 1851) to establish a school for the education of the deaf in Fulton; in 1842 thePresbyterian Church had opened a female seminary later known as Synodical College; in the fall of 1851 the Presbyterian Church established the all-male Fulton College, now known asWestminster College; and Fulton was the seat of county government.Winston Churchill gave his famous "Sinews of Peace" (Iron Curtain) speech at Westminster on March 5, 1946, in the presence of PresidentHarry S. Truman.
The Christian Church moved its Orphan School to Fulton in 1890. Whether or not they were influenced by the already-existing colleges is not known, but Fulton's bid of $40,000 and the offer of 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land was surely a factor. The school, which had previously been located atCamden Point, Missouri, later became William Woods College for Women, which later became a coed university.
NovelistHenry Bellamann was born in Fulton in 1882, and grew up and attended college there. Fulton is said to have been Bellamann's model for the fictional town of the novelKings Row, which generated questions about the resemblance it had to individuals and situations around the area.[6][7] In 1940, producers made amovie based on the book. The cast includedAnn Sheridan,Robert Cummings,Ronald Reagan andBetty Field. The suit worn by Ronald Reagan in the film is on display at the Show Me Innovation Center offices of the Callaway Chamber of Commerce.
TheM. Fred Bell Rental Cottage,M. Fred Bell Speculative Cottage,Brandon-Bell-Collier House,George Washington Carver School,Court Street Historic Residential District,Fulton's Downtown Brick District,John Augustus Hockaday House,Pitcher Store,Robnett-Payne House,Westminster College Gymnasium,Westminster College Historic District, andWhite Cloud Presbyterian Church and Cemetery are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[8][9]
The city is located in central Callaway County alongU.S. Route 54 about 22 miles (35 km) northeast ofJefferson City and theMissouri River.Columbia is about 20 miles (32 km) to the northwest.[10]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.40 square miles (32.12 km2), of which 12.26 square miles (31.75 km2) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2) is water.[11]
Places adjacent to Fulton, Missouri | |
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| Climate data for Fulton, Missouri (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 36.8 (2.7) | 42.3 (5.7) | 53.1 (11.7) | 64.5 (18.1) | 73.1 (22.8) | 81.6 (27.6) | 85.5 (29.7) | 85.1 (29.5) | 78.0 (25.6) | 66.3 (19.1) | 52.6 (11.4) | 41.3 (5.2) | 63.4 (17.4) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 28.2 (−2.1) | 33.0 (0.6) | 42.9 (6.1) | 53.8 (12.1) | 62.9 (17.2) | 71.5 (21.9) | 75.7 (24.3) | 74.6 (23.7) | 67.0 (19.4) | 55.2 (12.9) | 43.0 (6.1) | 32.9 (0.5) | 53.4 (11.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 19.6 (−6.9) | 23.7 (−4.6) | 32.8 (0.4) | 43.0 (6.1) | 52.7 (11.5) | 61.5 (16.4) | 65.8 (18.8) | 64.2 (17.9) | 56.0 (13.3) | 44.1 (6.7) | 33.4 (0.8) | 24.4 (−4.2) | 43.4 (6.4) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.40 (61) | 2.24 (57) | 3.14 (80) | 4.81 (122) | 5.16 (131) | 4.51 (115) | 4.51 (115) | 4.03 (102) | 4.19 (106) | 3.73 (95) | 3.06 (78) | 2.48 (63) | 44.26 (1,125) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 7.2 (18) | 4.3 (11) | 1.5 (3.8) | 0.3 (0.76) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.7 (1.8) | 4.9 (12) | 18.9 (47.36) |
| Source: NOAA[12] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 1,585 | — | |
| 1880 | 2,409 | 52.0% | |
| 1890 | 4,314 | 79.1% | |
| 1900 | 4,883 | 13.2% | |
| 1910 | 5,228 | 7.1% | |
| 1920 | 5,595 | 7.0% | |
| 1930 | 6,105 | 9.1% | |
| 1940 | 8,297 | 35.9% | |
| 1950 | 10,052 | 21.2% | |
| 1960 | 11,131 | 10.7% | |
| 1970 | 12,248 | 10.0% | |
| 1980 | 11,046 | −9.8% | |
| 1990 | 10,033 | −9.2% | |
| 2000 | 12,128 | 20.9% | |
| 2010 | 12,790 | 5.5% | |
| 2020 | 12,600 | −1.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The2020 United States census[13] counted 12,600 people, 3,441 households, and 2,110 families in Fulton. The population density was 1,021.9 per square mile (394.6/km2). There were 3,909 housing units at an average density of 317.0 per square mile (122.4/km2). The racial makeup was 80.63% (10,160)white, 11.21% (1,413)black or African-American, 0.52% (65)Native American, 0.78% (98)Asian, 0.1% (12)Pacific Islander, 1.13% (143) fromother races, and 5.63% (709) from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race was 2.4% (311) of the population.
Of the 3,441 households, 34.8% had children under the age of 18; 42.3% were married couples living together; 30.0% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 32.8% consisted of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.3.
19.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 19.6% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 128.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 143.2 males.
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey[14] estimates show that the median household income was $47,356 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,705) and the median family income was $58,623 (+/- $8,117). Males had a median income of $25,216 (+/- $5,164) versus $21,370 (+/- $6,171) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $23,460 (+/- $4,667). Approximately, 14.1% of families and 15.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 21.8% of those under the age of 18 and 10.5% of those ages 65 or over.
As of thecensus[15] of 2010, there were 12,790 people, 4,085 households, and 2,255 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,043.2 inhabitants per square mile (402.8/km2). There were 4,602 housing units at an average density of 375.4 per square mile (144.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.4%White, 12.0%African American, 0.5%Native American, 1.2%Asian, 0.6% fromother races, and 2.3% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 2.1% of the population.
There were 4,085 households, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.8% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.93.
The median age in the city was 31.3 years. 17.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 21.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.4% were from 25 to 44; 21.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 54.8% male and 45.2% female.
As of thecensus[16] of 2000, there were 12,128 people, 3,700 households, and 2,208 families living in the city. The population density was 1,072.3 inhabitants per square mile (414.0/km2). There were 4,131 housing units at an average density of 365.2 per square mile (141.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.26%White, 15.44%African American, 0.41%Native American, 1.06%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.38% fromother races, and 1.43% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.09% of the population.
There were 3,700 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.0% under the age of 18, 20.0% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 129.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 134.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,635, and the median income for a family was $41,722. Males had a median income of $27,418 versus $21,663 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $14,489. About 8.4% of families and 11.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
Rosa Parks Center, aMissouri Division of Youth Services (DYS)center for incarcerated girls, is a former university dormitory,[17] located atWilliam Woods University (WWU). It holds 10-12 girls at a time.[18] WWU students are involved with the center. DYS and WWU agreed to the joint project in 2000, and the center opened in January 2001.[19] Fulton also has amunicipal airport, the Elton Hensley Memorial Airport ICAO code: KFTT.
Westminster College andWilliam Woods University are the two post-secondary institutions in the city. Fulton was formerly, from 1842 until its closing in 1928, the site ofSynodical College, one of the earliestwomen's colleges in the United States.
Bartley Elementary (K–5), Bush Elementary (K–5), McIntire Elementary (K–5), Fulton Middle School (6–8) andFulton High School (9–12) are part of theFulton 58 School District.
St Peters Catholic School (K–8), and Kingdom Christian Academy (K–11) are both private schools.
Missouri School for the Deaf, a state school supervised under TheMissouri Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE), is also located in Fulton.
Fulton has apublic library, a branch of theDaniel Boone Regional Library.[20]
TheNational Churchill Museum in Fulton commemorates the statesman and hisIron Curtain speech. The 1946 address built a legacy bringing to Westminster College world leaders:Lech Wałęsa,Margaret Thatcher,Harry S. Truman,Gerald R. Ford,Ronald W. Reagan,George H. W. Bush,Mikhail Gorbachev andNATO representatives.
With the removal of the Berlin Wall, Churchill's granddaughter acquired a section of it to create a sculpture, entitled "Break Through", to commemorate the Iron Curtain speech. Visitors view it on the quadrangle at Westminster College. The Memorial includes the Church ofSt Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. Craftsmen dismantled the structure in London, England and rebuilt it on the Westminster campus to mark Churchill's visit.
Museums and displays depict beginnings in the Kingdom of Callaway. The Fishback Museum spotlights history of the Missouri School for the Deaf. Auto World Museum emphasizes transitions in transportation. Photos, genealogy research and history books headline the exhibit at the Historical Society. TheBrick District Playhouse located in the 1920's Fulton Theatre has a display of "King's Row" memorabilia.
Municipalities and communities ofCallaway County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Village | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDP | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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