Altheimer, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Altheimer is a city in Jefferson County
, Arkansas
, United States
. Its population was 1,192 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the 'Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area'.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.6 km²), all of it land. Altheimer is part of Timberlands Region
of Arkansas, a region rich in natural resources that was discovered by pioneers
from the Eastern United States in the early 19th century. Deer
hunting, bass
fishing
, timber
and oil
are plentiful in this area.
of 2000, there were 1,192 people, 394 households, and 295 families residing in the city. The population density
was 550.8 people per square mile (213.1/km²). There were 475 housing units at an average density of 219.5/sq mi (84.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 10.74% White
, 87.92% Black
or African American, 0.08% Asian
, 0.34% from other races
, and 0.92% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 394 households out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples
living together, 29.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.64.
In the city the population was spread out with 34.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 82.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $17,872, and the median income for a family was $21,932. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $9,428. About 37.5% of families and 41.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 52.1% of those under age 18 and 41.7% of those age 65 or over.
in 1850, read stories by German adventurer Frederick Gerstacker telling of the rich natural resources in Arkansas, and left for the United States as a teenager, eventually settling in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
. Louis Altheimer brought his brother Joseph with him to the land that would eventually bear their name. Joseph's son, Benjamin J. Altheimer, became a successful attorney
, establishing the prominent Chicago
law firm of Altheimer, Mayer, Woods, and Smith (later known as Altheimer & Gray
), and serving twice as president of Chicago's Iroquois Club, the city's oldest Democratic Party
political club. Ben Altheimer owned 15000 acres (60.7 km²) of land in Arkansas. His foundation, the Ben J. Altheimer Foundation, provided scholarships and funding for projects in the city of Altheimer and throughout the state and continues today as the Ben J. Altheimer Charitable Foundation, Inc.
homes and museums. One of the most prominent locations is The Elms Plantation. Built in 1886, this plantation
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
, and is open to the public for retreats, family reunion
s and tours. A former plantation house on the Collier Estate, it was renovated by Ben Altheimer in the 1930s and renamed "The Elms." Also located on the property are the Elms Duck Lodges, which provide hunting and fishing in the private lake and pond.
Lake Dick
is an oxbow lake
located four miles (6 km) south of Altheimer. This area formerly held farmsteads of eighty Caucasian
families who were moved into the area in 1936 as part of the Farm Security Administration
. The lake was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
The Roselawn House, also known as the Collier-Barnett House, was built in 1875 and added to National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
, one of the founders of the McDonnell-Douglas aviation
company, lived in Altheimer as a child.
Jefferson County, Arkansas
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. Its population was 77,435 at the 2010 United States Census. It is included in the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area. Jefferson County's county seat and largest city is Pine Bluff...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its population was 1,192 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the 'Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area'.
Geography
Altheimer is located at 34°19′19"N 91°50′46"W (34.321827, -91.846240).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 2.2 square miles (5.6 km²), all of it land. Altheimer is part of Timberlands Region
Arkansas Timberlands
The Arkansas Timberlands, sometimes also called Southern Arkansas or Southwestern Arkansas, is a region of the U.S. state of Arkansas. It can be roughly defined by Sevier County in the northwest, a portion of Jefferson County in the northeast, Ashley County in the southeast, and Miller County in...
of Arkansas, a region rich in natural resources that was discovered by pioneers
American pioneer
American pioneers are any of the people in American history who migrated west to join in settling and developing new areas. The term especially refers to those who were going to settle any territory which had previously not been settled or developed by European or American society, although the...
from the Eastern United States in the early 19th century. Deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
hunting, bass
Bass (fish)
Bass is a name shared by many different species of popular gamefish. The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species. All belong to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and in fact the word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch."-Types of basses:*The temperate...
fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
and oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
are plentiful in this area.
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 1,192 people, 394 households, and 295 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 550.8 people per square mile (213.1/km²). There were 475 housing units at an average density of 219.5/sq mi (84.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 10.74% White
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...
, 87.92% Black
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...
or African American, 0.08% Asian
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...
, 0.34% 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 0.92% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race.
There were 394 households out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% 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, 29.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.64.
In the city the population was spread out with 34.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 82.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $17,872, and the median income for a family was $21,932. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $21,250 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 $9,428. About 37.5% of families and 41.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 52.1% of those under age 18 and 41.7% of those age 65 or over.
History
The city of Altheimer was founded in 1884 by Louis Altheimer, a planter and business owner of German-Jewish descent. Altheimer, who was born in Darmstadt-EberstadtDarmstadt-Eberstadt
Eberstadt is a borough of the urban district Darmstadt in Hessen, Germany with a population of 21,687 . It is Darmstadt's southernmost suburb.-Geography:...
in 1850, read stories by German adventurer Frederick Gerstacker telling of the rich natural resources in Arkansas, and left for the United States as a teenager, eventually settling in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
. Louis Altheimer brought his brother Joseph with him to the land that would eventually bear their name. Joseph's son, Benjamin J. Altheimer, became a successful attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, establishing the prominent Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
law firm of Altheimer, Mayer, Woods, and Smith (later known as Altheimer & Gray
Altheimer & Gray
Altheimer & Gray was a Chicago-based law firm, which operated from 1914 to 2003.It opened in 1914 as Altheimer, Mayer, Woods, and Smith. Founding lead partner Benjamin J. Altheimer was the son of Arkansas planter Louis Altheimer, who established Altheimer, Arkansas...
), and serving twice as president of Chicago's Iroquois Club, the city's oldest Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
political club. Ben Altheimer owned 15000 acres (60.7 km²) of land in Arkansas. His foundation, the Ben J. Altheimer Foundation, provided scholarships and funding for projects in the city of Altheimer and throughout the state and continues today as the Ben J. Altheimer Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Attractions
Altheimer has many pioneer-era log cabins, Victorian eraVictorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
homes and museums. One of the most prominent locations is The Elms Plantation. Built in 1886, this plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, and is open to the public for retreats, family reunion
Family reunion
A family reunion is an occasion when many members of an extended family get together. Sometimes reunions are held regularly, for example on the same date of every year....
s and tours. A former plantation house on the Collier Estate, it was renovated by Ben Altheimer in the 1930s and renamed "The Elms." Also located on the property are the Elms Duck Lodges, which provide hunting and fishing in the private lake and pond.
Lake Dick
Lake Dick, Arkansas
Lake Dick is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. Lake Dick is northeast of Pine Bluff and south of Altheimer....
is an oxbow lake
Oxbow lake
An oxbow lake is a U-shaped body of water formed when a wide meander from the main stem of a river is cut off to create a lake. This landform is called an oxbow lake for the distinctive curved shape, named after part of a yoke for oxen. In Australia, an oxbow lake is called a billabong, derived...
located four miles (6 km) south of Altheimer. This area formerly held farmsteads of eighty Caucasian
Caucasian race
The term Caucasian race has been used to denote the general physical type of some or all of the populations of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Western Asia , Central Asia and South Asia...
families who were moved into the area in 1936 as part of the Farm Security Administration
Farm Security Administration
Initially created as the Resettlement Administration in 1935 as part of the New Deal in the United States, the Farm Security Administration was an effort during the Depression to combat American rural poverty...
. The lake was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
The Roselawn House, also known as the Collier-Barnett House, was built in 1875 and added to National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Notable resident
James Smith McDonnellJames Smith McDonnell
James Smith "Mac" McDonnell was an American aviation pioneer and founder of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, later McDonnell Douglas.-Early life:...
, one of the founders of the McDonnell-Douglas aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
company, lived in Altheimer as a child.