Mexia, Texas
Encyclopedia
Mexia is a city in Limestone County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 6,552 at the 2008 census.
The city's motto, based on the fact that outsiders tend to mispronounce the name [ˈmɛksiə], is "A great place, no matter how you pronounce it."
Named after General José Antonio Mexía
, a Hispanic hero for the Republic of Texas Army during the Texas Revolution
, the town was founded near his estate. Nearby attractions include Fort Parker Historical recreation, the Confederate Reunion grounds, and Mexia State Supported Living Center (formerly Mexia State School), which began as a prisoner of war camp for members of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
's Afrika Korps
during World War II
.
Mexia is also home to the Mexia Public Schools Museum, one of a few museums dedicated to the historical and social significance of a Texas public school system.
Mexia hosts a large Juneteenth
celebration every year.
, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all land.
of 2008, there were 6,552 people, 2,427 households, and 1,660 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,273.9 people per square mile (492.0/km²). There were 2,750 housing units at an average density of 533.8 per square mile (206.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.90% White, 31.68% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 10.67% from other races
, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.90% of the population.
There were 2,427 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples
living together, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,785, and the median income for a family was $29,375. Males had a median income of $26,479 versus $18,138 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,235. About 20.8% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
tribe came into conflict with the white settlers in and around this area. The abduction of Cynthia Ann Parker took place at Fort Parker. Comanches raided the fort and left with the three year old Parker girl. She lived among the Comanche people into adulthood and was the mother of Quanah Parker
, the last Comanche war chief.
Mexia made national news in 1981, when three young black men drowned in Lake Mexia after being taken into custody by law enforcement officers for possession of marijuana
during the annual Juneteenth
celebration. Carl Baker, 19; Anthony Freeman, 18; and Steven Booker, 19; drowned after a boat used to transport them across the lake, which was also occupied by three officers, capsized less than 100 feet from shore. Initial reports were that the three men had been handcuffed but those reports were unfounded. (Citation not appropriate - see Discussion) Two police officers and one probation officer who had been in the boat were tried for the offense of criminally negligent homicide, but all were acquitted "by an all-white jury in Dallas."
Mexia also made news when its former resident Anna Nicole Smith
died, and when Allen Stanford was arrested on allegations of fraud in 2009.
.
Schools include:
Pre-integration:
Post-Secondary Education:
Limestone County, Texas
Limestone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 22,051. Its county seat is Groesbeck.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 6,552 at the 2008 census.
The city's motto, based on the fact that outsiders tend to mispronounce the name [ˈmɛksiə], is "A great place, no matter how you pronounce it."
Named after General José Antonio Mexía
José Antonio Mexía
José Antonio Mexía was an 18th-century Mexican politician. He claimed to have been born in Xalapa, Veracruz, but contradicting contemporary reports say he was a native of Cuba....
, a Hispanic hero for the Republic of Texas Army during the Texas Revolution
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
, the town was founded near his estate. Nearby attractions include Fort Parker Historical recreation, the Confederate Reunion grounds, and Mexia State Supported Living Center (formerly Mexia State School), which began as a prisoner of war camp for members of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
Erwin Rommel
Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel , popularly known as the Desert Fox , was a German Field Marshal of World War II. He won the respect of both his own troops and the enemies he fought....
's Afrika Korps
Afrika Korps
The German Africa Corps , or the Afrika Korps as it was popularly called, was the German expeditionary force in Libya and Tunisia during the North African Campaign of World War II...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Mexia is also home to the Mexia Public Schools Museum, one of a few museums dedicated to the historical and social significance of a Texas public school system.
Mexia hosts a large Juneteenth
Juneteenth
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday in the United States honoring African American heritage by commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. State of Texas in 1865...
celebration every year.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all land.
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 2008, there were 6,552 people, 2,427 households, and 1,660 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 1,273.9 people per square mile (492.0/km²). There were 2,750 housing units at an average density of 533.8 per square mile (206.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.90% White, 31.68% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 10.67% 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 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.90% of the population.
There were 2,427 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% 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, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,785, and the median income for a family was $29,375. Males had a median income of $26,479 versus $18,138 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 $12,235. About 20.8% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
History
Mexia was founded as a town in the 19th century. Inhabitants occupied the Fort Parker settlement near the Navasota river. The area is near where the rolling hills of the great plains begin. The hills provided grazing land for the buffalo herds, which plains Indians depended upon for sustainance. Many hunting antifacts from Native American people have been found in the creek beds and draws around Mexia. The ComancheComanche
The Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
tribe came into conflict with the white settlers in and around this area. The abduction of Cynthia Ann Parker took place at Fort Parker. Comanches raided the fort and left with the three year old Parker girl. She lived among the Comanche people into adulthood and was the mother of Quanah Parker
Quanah Parker
Quanah Parker was a Comanche chief, a leader in the Native American Church, and the last leader of the powerful Quahadi band before they surrendered their battle of the Great Plains and went to a reservation in Indian Territory...
, the last Comanche war chief.
Mexia made national news in 1981, when three young black men drowned in Lake Mexia after being taken into custody by law enforcement officers for possession of marijuana
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
during the annual Juneteenth
Juneteenth
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday in the United States honoring African American heritage by commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. State of Texas in 1865...
celebration. Carl Baker, 19; Anthony Freeman, 18; and Steven Booker, 19; drowned after a boat used to transport them across the lake, which was also occupied by three officers, capsized less than 100 feet from shore. Initial reports were that the three men had been handcuffed but those reports were unfounded. (Citation not appropriate - see Discussion) Two police officers and one probation officer who had been in the boat were tried for the offense of criminally negligent homicide, but all were acquitted "by an all-white jury in Dallas."
Mexia also made news when its former resident Anna Nicole Smith
Anna Nicole Smith
In 1992 Smith was chosen by Hugh Hefner to appear on the cover of the March issue of Playboy, where she was listed as Vickie Smith, wearing a low-cut evening gown. The centerfold was photographed by Stephen Wayda. Smith said she planned to be "the next Marilyn Monroe". Becoming one of Playboys...
died, and when Allen Stanford was arrested on allegations of fraud in 2009.
Education
Mexia is zoned to schools in the Mexia Independent School DistrictMexia Independent School District
Mexia Independent School District is a public school district based in Mexia, Texas .In addition to Mexia, the district serves the town of Tehuacana...
.
Schools include:
- A.B. McBay Elementary School
- R.Q. Sims Intermediate School
- Mexia Junior High School
- Mexia High SchoolMexia High SchoolMexia High School is a public school in Mexia, Texas . It is part of the Mexia Independent School District.-Athletics:The Mexia Blackcats compete in the following sports:...
Pre-integration:
- Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School (African-American)
Post-Secondary Education:
- Navarro CollegeNavarro CollegeNavarro College is a two-year public institution consisting of a main campus located in Corsicana, with branches in Mexia, Midlothian, and Waxahachie, Texas...
's Mexia Campus
Famous past residents
- Quentin Durward CorleyQuentin Durward CorleyQuentin Durward Corley, Sr. was a Texas circuit judge.-Biography:He was born in Mexia, Texas on January 21, 1884 to Daniel Jacob Corley and Mary Louise California . His parents were from Alabama, and moved to Texas in 1874. Quentin moved to Dallas, Texas in 1895. In 1901 he graduated from the...
- Anna Nicole SmithAnna Nicole SmithIn 1992 Smith was chosen by Hugh Hefner to appear on the cover of the March issue of Playboy, where she was listed as Vickie Smith, wearing a low-cut evening gown. The centerfold was photographed by Stephen Wayda. Smith said she planned to be "the next Marilyn Monroe". Becoming one of Playboys...
- Daniel Wayne SmithDaniel Wayne SmithDaniel Wayne Smith was the son of the model and actress Anna Nicole and Billy Smith. He infrequently appeared in his mother's E! Network reality TV show, The Anna Nicole Show...
- Ray RhodesRay RhodesRaymond Earl Rhodes is currently a defensive assistant for the Cleveland Browns. He is also the former American football head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. He is the former assistant defensive backs coach of the Houston Texans...
- Cindy WalkerCindy WalkerCindy Walker was a prolific American songwriter, as well as a country music singer and dancer. As a songwriter Walker was responsible for a large number of popular and enduring songs recorded by many different artists. She adopted a craftsman-like approach to her songwriting, often tailoring...
- Henry Cecil McBayHenry Cecil McBay-Birth/Family Background:McBay was born "Henry Ransom McBay" in 1914 in Mexia, Texas. His father, William Cecil McBay, was a barber who eventually became an embalmer and funeral director; his mother, Roberta Ransom , was a seamstress.-Early Education and Employment:McBay was able to receive a good...
- Allen StanfordAllen StanfordRobert Allen Stanford is a former prominent financier and sponsor of professional sports who is in prison awaiting trial on charges his investment company was a massive Ponzi scheme and fraud. Stanford was the chairman of the now defunct Stanford Financial Group of Companies. A fifth-generation...
- Les BaxterLes BaxterLes Baxter was an American musician and composer.Baxter studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory before moving to Los Angeles for further studies at Pepperdine College. Abandoning a concert career as a pianist, he turned to popular music as a singer...
- Raymond Hughes Dillard
- Bruce Thomas Smith