Coldwater, Mississippi
Encyclopedia
Coldwater is a small town in Tate County
, Mississippi
, United States
. It is in the Memphis Metropolitan Area
or Mid-South. The population was 1,674 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²).2.4 square miles (6.1 km²) of it is land and 0.42% water.
, hence the name. The original town began as the village of Elm Grove in 1856. With the coming of the Mississippi-Tennessee railroad in 1858, rows of stores and other businesses developed on both sides of the tracks, along with houses of worship. Coldwater was officially incorporated in 1872. At that time, the Town was located in DeSoto County
and was a mile square with the railroad depot at the center. When another Mississippi county was created in 1873 from land originally located in DeSoto, Marshall
, and Tunica
counties, Coldwater found itself to be a part of the newly formed Tate County
.
The Town began to grow with an influx of settlers from Virginia, the Carolinas, Alabama, and others seeking a better life for themselves and their families. There were 397 residents of Coldwater according to the 1890 census. Educating their children was obviously important to the early settlers. By 1884, there were 96 small schools in Tate County, 54 white and 42 black. They were mostly one teacher, one-room log houses with split logs for seats.
Over the course of its history, Coldwater steadily grew in numbers. However, periodic river flooding plagued the town, as the river would all too often swell its banks, spilling onto area farmland. When the Arkabutla Lake
and Dam project was built in the early 1940’s, the Town felt it had to move. So, in 1942, the Town of Coldwater moved – lock, stock, and barrel, to land just about a mile and a half south of its original location. Today, there are over 1,600 people enjoying life in this “new” location.
The site of the old town of Coldwater is 229 feet (69.8 m) MSL and parts of it are underwater year round.
of 2000, there were 1,674 people, 598 households, and 429 families residing in the town. The population density
was 705.5 people per square mile (272.7/km²). There were 642 housing units at an average density of 270.6 per square mile (104.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 69.71% African American, 29.45% White, 0.06% Native American, 0.12% Asian, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population.
There were 598 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples
living together, 28.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 79.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $26,058, and the median income for a family was $31,364. Males had a median income of $28,472 versus $19,444 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $12,330. About 21.1% of families and 23.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 26.7% of those age 65 or over.
. It has two schools Coldwater Elementary and Coldwater High School. Coldwater High School has gone to the state championship in track and basketball numerous times. The girls basketball team have won state championships in 1996, 2007 and 2008 while also making it to the final two since 2003. The boys Basketball team also won in 2009, and have also made appearances since 2003. The principle over the high school is Mr. Willie Brandon. The school mascot is known as the Mighty Coldwater Cougar, and the school colors are blue, gold, and white.
Tate County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 25,370 people, 8,850 households, and 6,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 63 people per square mile . There were 9,354 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is in the Memphis Metropolitan Area
Memphis Metropolitan Area
The Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area, TN-MS-AR , more commonly known as The Mid-South, is the 41st largest among similarly designated areas in the United States. The metropolitan area covers eight counties in three states – Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas...
or Mid-South. The population was 1,674 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Coldwater is located at 34°41′23"N 89°58′26"W (34.689854, -89.973790)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 town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²).2.4 square miles (6.1 km²) of it is land and 0.42% water.
History
The current town square of Coldwater, Mississippi is about two miles south of the Coldwater RiverColdwater River (Mississippi)
The Coldwater River is a river which flows for through northwestern Mississippi in the United States. It is a tributary of the Tallahatchie River, and part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, via the Yazoo River....
, hence the name. The original town began as the village of Elm Grove in 1856. With the coming of the Mississippi-Tennessee railroad in 1858, rows of stores and other businesses developed on both sides of the tracks, along with houses of worship. Coldwater was officially incorporated in 1872. At that time, the Town was located in DeSoto County
DeSoto County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2005 estimate, there were 137,004 people, 38,792 households, and 30,102 families residing in the county. The population density was 224 people per square mile . There were 40,795 housing units at an average density of 85 per square mile...
and was a mile square with the railroad depot at the center. When another Mississippi county was created in 1873 from land originally located in DeSoto, Marshall
Marshall County, Mississippi
-Demographics:At the 2000 census, there were 34,993 people, 12,163 households and 9,110 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 per square mile . There were 13,252 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
, and Tunica
Tunica County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,227 people, 3,258 households, and 2,192 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile . There were 3,705 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
counties, Coldwater found itself to be a part of the newly formed Tate County
Tate County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 25,370 people, 8,850 households, and 6,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 63 people per square mile . There were 9,354 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
.
The Town began to grow with an influx of settlers from Virginia, the Carolinas, Alabama, and others seeking a better life for themselves and their families. There were 397 residents of Coldwater according to the 1890 census. Educating their children was obviously important to the early settlers. By 1884, there were 96 small schools in Tate County, 54 white and 42 black. They were mostly one teacher, one-room log houses with split logs for seats.
Over the course of its history, Coldwater steadily grew in numbers. However, periodic river flooding plagued the town, as the river would all too often swell its banks, spilling onto area farmland. When the Arkabutla Lake
Arkabutla Lake
Arkabutla Lake is a reservoir on the Coldwater River in the U.S. state of Mississippi. It is one of four Flood Damage Reduction reservoirs in northern Mississippi. With an annual visitation exceeding 2 million people, Arkabutla Lake accommodates a wide variety of recreational interest throughout...
and Dam project was built in the early 1940’s, the Town felt it had to move. So, in 1942, the Town of Coldwater moved – lock, stock, and barrel, to land just about a mile and a half south of its original location. Today, there are over 1,600 people enjoying life in this “new” location.
The site of the old town of Coldwater is 229 feet (69.8 m) MSL and parts of it are underwater year round.
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 1,674 people, 598 households, and 429 families residing in the town. 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 705.5 people per square mile (272.7/km²). There were 642 housing units at an average density of 270.6 per square mile (104.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 69.71% African American, 29.45% White, 0.06% Native American, 0.12% Asian, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population.
There were 598 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% 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, 28.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 79.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $26,058, and the median income for a family was $31,364. Males had a median income of $28,472 versus $19,444 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 town was $12,330. About 21.1% of families and 23.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 26.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Town of Coldwater is served by the Tate County School DistrictTate County School District
The Tate County School District is a public school district based in Tate County, Mississippi .The district serves the town of Coldwater and the unincorporated communities of Sarah and Independence as well as most rural areas in Tate County.-Schools:...
. It has two schools Coldwater Elementary and Coldwater High School. Coldwater High School has gone to the state championship in track and basketball numerous times. The girls basketball team have won state championships in 1996, 2007 and 2008 while also making it to the final two since 2003. The boys Basketball team also won in 2009, and have also made appearances since 2003. The principle over the high school is Mr. Willie Brandon. The school mascot is known as the Mighty Coldwater Cougar, and the school colors are blue, gold, and white.
Notable Residents
- Dumas MaloneDumas MaloneDumas Malone was an American historian, biographer, and editor noted for his six-volume biography on Thomas Jefferson, for which he received the 1975 Pulitzer Prize for history...
, Pulitzer prize-winning historian and noted Jeffersonian scholar.
- Dorris BowdonDorris BowdonDorris Estelle Bowdon was an American actress, best known for her role as Rosasharn in the film adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, starring Henry Fonda....
, a Coldwater native, was a screen actress who played in several motion pictures in the 1930’s and 1940’s and is best known for her role as Rosasharn in the film adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath", starring Henry Fonda.
- Thomas Webber Wilson, a three-term U.S. Congressional Representative from Mississippi from 1923-1929.
- Hoyt B. Wooten, radio pioneer started his first commercial radio station in Coldwater, WKNG which later changed to WREC-TV, Channel 3 and has become a regular program to the Mid-South community.
- Spencer D. Wooten, known affectionately as “Mr. Spencer,” served the Town as an alderman, as Mayor, as president of the school board, and as undertaker.
- Bill CodayBill CodayBill Coday was born in Coldwater, Mississippi, and as a young man he began singing in juke joints in and around Blytheville, Arkansas. Later, Coday traveled to Chicago, Illinois, and there one night he was "discovered" by Denise LaSalle. LaSalle signed Coday to her Crajon label, and introduced...
, famous blues singer.
- Big Time SarahBig Time SarahBig Time Sarah, is an American blues singer.-Biography:Sarah Streeter was raised in Chicago, Illinois, from early childhood, where she sang in gospel choirs in South Chicago churches...
, famous blues singer.
- Dr. C. Damon Miguel Moore, M.D., Coldwater’s first recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship (and the first African-American from Mississippi to have won).
- Trell KimmonsTrell KimmonsDavid "Trell" Kimmons is an American sprinter.At the 2004 World Junior Championships in Athletics, Kimmons was part of a Gold medal winning 4×100 metres relay squad that established a junior world record with 38.66 seconds...
, Olympic Track/Field Runner with personal bests in the 100 m: 9.95 s (Zürich 2010) and 200 m: 20.37 s (Eugene 2009).