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'Poplar Bluff' is a city in Butler County, Missouri, United States. It is the county seat of Butler County and is also known as "Gateway To The Ozarks."
The Poplar Bluff Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Butler County.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

Description

History

Notable Poplar Bluff residents

Transportation

External links

Geography

Poplar Bluff is located at (36.759808, -90.402731), along the Black River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.0 km² (11.6 mi²), all land.
Poplar Bluff takes its name from the bluff that overlooks the Black River from the west side. When first settled, the bluff was covered with poplar trees. Some locals refer to the city as simply "The Bluff."
The bluff itself is a distinct landmark separating the Ozark foothills from the lowland Mississippi embayment of Southeast Missouri. North and west lie the foothills, south and east the lowlands. The county courthouse and the offices of the Daily American Republic newspaper sit on this site.
The surrounding area is commonly known as the "Three Rivers" with many local organizations and businesses using the name. The three rivers; Current River, Black River, and St. Francis River are 40 miles apart, with Poplar Bluff right in the center on the Black. Black River features Clearwater Reservoir upriver from Poplar Bluff and 50 miles away by road. The outlet of the dam is one of the places in Missouri where the spoonbill catfish can be found. Current River, part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, lies to the west and is home to Big Spring.
Lake Wapappello is on the St. Francis River and is located 15 miles from Poplar Bluff. The lake sees many visitors around drag boat racing season as a national level of competition is held at the lake. The lake is also popular for crappie fishing in springtime.

Demographics

The population was 16,651 at the 2000 census, making it the third largest city in Missouri's 8th Congressional district behind Cape Girardeau and Sikeston.
As of the census of 2006, there were 15,351 people, 7,077 households, and 4,295 families residing in the city. The population density was 555.7/km² (1,438.9/mi²). There were 7,871 housing units at an average density of 262.7/km² (680.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.04% White, 9.71% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.
There were 7,077 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,068, and the median income for a family was $28,744. Males had a median income of $23,851 versus $18,770 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,996. About 19.3% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.4% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.

Description

Poplar Bluff is about 150 miles from St. Louis, Missouri, Springfield, Missouri, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee. The city is the crossroads of US highways 60 and 67.
The town is located in the Bible Belt. There are numerous churches located in the town. The town has one public high school and one junior high, a 5th and 6th grade center, a kindergarten center, 3 grade elementary schools and a head start. The town also has a Catholic pre-K through 8th grade school and a Baptist pre-K through 12th grade school. Three Rivers Community College is also located in Poplar Bluff. Poplar Bluff has three hospitals, and one operated by the Veteran's Association, with three campuses and several clinics.
The original business district in "downtown" gave way to a "shopping center" on the northwest side of town in the 1960s which gave way to "the strip" running along both sides of what was U.S. 67 (now Business U.S. 67) for the length of the city. On South 5th street in the downtown district you will find the large Black River Coliseum, which hosts shows, sport events, concerts and a large indoor pool. In front of the Coliseum is a Veterans Wall and large fountains and across the street is the Railroad Museum. The downtown area is also home to the historic Rodgers Theatre. A large railyard separates the "South Side" from the rest of the city. Poplar Bluff still has Amtrak service.

The Industrial Park is located on the 'South Side" and is home to Briggs and Stratton, Gates Rubber, Team USA, and other factories. The Bluff Falls Water Park is also located on the South Side. The "Sale Barn" also lies on the South Side. Every Friday sees a livestock auction there and the grounds feature a large outdoor flea market selling everything from apples to hunting dogs. The Airport is located on the East Side of town on Hwy B or old 60 East Hwy.
The town is home to Troup E of the Missouri Highway Patrol. The Highway Patrol Troop E Headquarters is located just North of Poplar Bluff on US 60 West and US 67 North. Butler County Health Department and many other county necessities are located in town.

History

The city was founded as the county seat in 1849. It consisted of about 150 acres.
The identity of the very first European visitor to the Poplar Bluff area is Hernando DeSoto. DeSoto landed at Tampa Bay in May of 1539. Later he crossed the Mississippi River. He then traveled to a point below the mouth of the St. Francis river, and into Butler County. DeSoto and his men traveled through what is now Ash Hill and passed just outside of Poplar Bluff. Later, the French were the first Europeans to assert any territorial rights over the Poplar Bluff area. The French held the area until 1770, when it was ceded by treaty to Spain. Spain held the area until 1802 when it was returned to France. Throughout this time the area of Poplar Bluff, as well as all of Butler County, held almost no European settlements up until 1819. When this first white settler family moved into the Poplar Bluff area in 1819, it is reported that about 300 Native Americans resided in the area.
In 1927 a tornado leveled most of the city, especially the originial business district along Main and Broadway streets.

Notable Poplar Bluff residents

★ Linda Bloodworth-Thomason: Television producer of ''Designing Women''

★ Tyler Hansbrough: UNC-Chapel Hill Basketball star played high school basketball in Poplar Bluff

★ Julie McCullough: ''Growing Pains'' and ''Playboy'' Playmate

★ Scott Innes: Voice actor for Scooby-Doo

★ Latrell Spreewell: NBA star who played JUCO basketball at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff

★ Gulley: Rap artist originally from Poplar Bluff. Now opening for acts such as E-40

★ Coach Gene Bess: has more wins (1,000+) than any other coach in college basketball history, with all of them coming from Three Rivers Community College.

★ Medal of Honor recipient Billie G. Kanell

Transportation

★ Poplar Bluff (Amtrak station)

External links

★ The History of Butler County 1870-1930

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