Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Mount Pleasant is a city in and the county seat
of Henry County
, Iowa
, in the United States
. The population was 8,668 in the 2010 census, a decline from 8,751 in the 2000 census. It was founded in 1835 by pioneer Presley Saunders.
In 1869, Mount Pleasant was the scene of a National Almanac-sponsored solar eclipse
expedition, under the command of James Craig Watson. The total solar eclipse occurred on August 7, 1869.
In the Union Block
building in 1869, Arabella A. Mansfield became the first woman in the United States awarded a license to practice law. The third floor housed the Opera House or Union Hall, a gathering place for the community, speakers included Frederick Douglass
, Bronson Alcott, P.T. Barnum, Anna Dickinson, Susan B. Anthony
and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
. This building is now considered one of the most endangered historic sites in Iowa.
The Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute
was built in 1861. However, in 1936, a fire devastated the building leaving the hospital to be closed, with very little building left.
in decimal form are 40.966977, -91.551203.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 7.7 square miles (19.9 km²), of which, 7.7 square miles (19.9 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.26%) is water.
Mount Pleasant's population density is estimated at 1123 people per square mile which is considered low for urban areas.
The racial makeup of the city in the 2010 census was 85.7% White American
, 5.0% African American
, 0.4% Native Americans in the United States
, 4.4% Asian American
, 0.3% Native Hawaiians
or Pacific Islander American
, 2.4% other races and 2.5% were from two or more races. Of those 6.7% were Hispanic and Latino Americans
.
of 2000, there were 8,751 people, 3,119 households, and 1,940 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,137.3 people per square mile (439.4/km²). There were 3,355 housing units at an average density of 436.0 per square mile (168.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.46% White, 3.19% African American, 0.32% Native American, 3.53% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races
, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population.
There were 3,119 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 110.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,558, and the median income for a family was $46,063. Males had a median income of $31,524 versus $22,628 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,824. About 8.3% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
, and electric trolleys. Country music shows featuring top-name performers, an expansive modern campground with transportation to the main grounds, and an extensive food court and numerous other offerings (run entirely by local churches and nonprofit organizations) are some of the amenities Old Threshers guests enjoy.
is located in Mount Pleasant. South of the city is the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility
, a medium-security state prison
that in the year 2010 housed approximately ±875 male and ±100 female inmates, and employed ±340 staff. The Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute
is also located on the same campus.
The public school system in Mount Pleasant is administered by the Mount Pleasant Community School District
. The district oversees the High school, Middle school, four elementary schools, Harlan, Lincoln, Salem, and Van Allen and the WisdomQuest Education Center.
Advanced education
The city is home to Iowa Wesleyan College
, which, founded in 1842, ranks as the oldest coeducational college/university west of the Mississippi River. The P.E.O. Sisterhood
, an international philanthropic organization for women, was founded on the campus in Mount Pleasant by seven Iowa Wesleyan students.
, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Mount Pleasant
, operating its California Zephyr
daily in both directions between Chicago
, Illinois, and Emeryville, California, across the bay from San Francisco.
U.S. Route 34
bypasses Mount Pleasant to the north, while U.S. Route 218
/Iowa Highway 27 bypass the city to the east. These highways' former routes through the city are now designated as business routes.
The Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport
(FAA Identifier: MPZ) at an elevation of 730 ft (222.5 m) is located 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of the city. The airport started operations in March 1945. has 4 runways, 2 are asphalt surface 4001ft long x 75ft wide (1220m x 23m) with runway edge lights, and 2 have turf for the surface and are 1965ft long x 120ft wide (599m x 37m) marked by yellow cones.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Henry County
Henry County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,145 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,280 housing units, of which 7,666 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 8,668 in the 2010 census, a decline from 8,751 in the 2000 census. It was founded in 1835 by pioneer Presley Saunders.
History
Solar eclipse
As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. At least...
expedition, under the command of James Craig Watson. The total solar eclipse occurred on August 7, 1869.
In the Union Block
Union Block (Mount Pleasant, Iowa)
The Union Block of Mount Pleasant, Iowa was built by William McCandless in 1861. Historically it was used as offices and by the county courts. In the Union Block in 1869, Arabella A. Mansfield became the first woman in the United States awarded a license to practice law. The third floor housed the...
building in 1869, Arabella A. Mansfield became the first woman in the United States awarded a license to practice law. The third floor housed the Opera House or Union Hall, a gathering place for the community, speakers included Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and incisive antislavery writing...
, Bronson Alcott, P.T. Barnum, Anna Dickinson, Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony
Susan Brownell Anthony was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage into the United States. She was co-founder of the first Women's Temperance Movement with Elizabeth Cady Stanton as President...
and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an American social activist, abolitionist, and leading figure of the early woman's movement...
. This building is now considered one of the most endangered historic sites in Iowa.
The Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute
Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute
The Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute was a psychiatric institution located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Originally known as the Iowa Lunatic Asylum, opened in 1861. It is located on the same campus as The Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility. There was also a labyrinth of underground tunnels...
was built in 1861. However, in 1936, a fire devastated the building leaving the hospital to be closed, with very little building left.
Geography
Mount Pleasant's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 40.966977, -91.551203.
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 7.7 square miles (19.9 km²), of which, 7.7 square miles (19.9 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.26%) is water.
Mount Pleasant's population density is estimated at 1123 people per square mile which is considered low for urban areas.
Demographics
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,668 in the city, with a population density of . There were 3,365 housing units, of which 3,127 were occupied.The racial makeup of the city in the 2010 census was 85.7% White American
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, 5.0% African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.4% Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 4.4% Asian American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 0.3% Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians refers to the indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands or their descendants. Native Hawaiians trace their ancestry back to the original Polynesian settlers of Hawaii.According to the U.S...
or Pacific Islander American
Pacific Islander American
Pacific Islander Americans, also known as Oceanian Americans, are residents of the United States with original ancestry from Oceania. They represent the smallest racial group counted in the United States census of 2000. They numbered 874,000 people or 0.3 percent of the United States population...
, 2.4% other races and 2.5% were from two or more races. Of those 6.7% were Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
.
2000 census
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 8,751 people, 3,119 households, and 1,940 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 1,137.3 people per square mile (439.4/km²). There were 3,355 housing units at an average density of 436.0 per square mile (168.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.46% White, 3.19% African American, 0.32% Native American, 3.53% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.73% 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 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population.
There were 3,119 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% 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, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 110.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,558, and the median income for a family was $46,063. Males had a median income of $31,524 versus $22,628 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 $16,824. About 8.3% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and Culture
Mount Pleasant is also home to the Midwest Old Thresher's Reunion which attracts a crowd numbering over 100,000 admissions annually during an extended five-day weekend which ends on Labor Day. The reunion dates back to 1950 and pays tribute to the agricultural heritage of the American Midwest in an extensive, highly interactive manner, with live-action exhibition-style displays centering on restored mechanical equipment, particularly steam engines, farm tractors, stationary gas engines, antique and classic cars, the narrow-gauge Midwest Central RailroadMidwest Central Railroad
The Midwest Central Railroad is a narrow gauge heritage railroad operating on the grounds of the Midwest Old Thresher's Reunion in Mount Pleasant, Iowa....
, and electric trolleys. Country music shows featuring top-name performers, an expansive modern campground with transportation to the main grounds, and an extensive food court and numerous other offerings (run entirely by local churches and nonprofit organizations) are some of the amenities Old Threshers guests enjoy.
Economy
A meat processing plant operated by West Liberty FoodsWest Liberty Foods
West Liberty Foods, L.L.C. is a US meat processing company owned by the Iowa Turkey Growers Cooperative and formed in 1996 by a group of Iowa turkey growers, and now owns four meat processing plants. The company mainly produces products for customers to sell under their own brand names...
is located in Mount Pleasant. South of the city is the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility
Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility
The Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility is an Iowa Department of Corrections correctional institution located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, United States. As of July 30, 2010, the institution has 891 inmates and another 44 in segregation in a 775-inmate facility, and 100 additional female inmates in...
, a medium-security state prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
that in the year 2010 housed approximately ±875 male and ±100 female inmates, and employed ±340 staff. The Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute
Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute
The Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute was a psychiatric institution located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Originally known as the Iowa Lunatic Asylum, opened in 1861. It is located on the same campus as The Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility. There was also a labyrinth of underground tunnels...
is also located on the same campus.
Education
Public schoolsThe public school system in Mount Pleasant is administered by the Mount Pleasant Community School District
Mount Pleasant Community School District
The Mount Pleasant Community School District is the public school system serving the city of Mount Pleasant, Iowa and the surrounding area, primarily Salem, Westwood, Rome, Swedesburg, and rural students...
. The district oversees the High school, Middle school, four elementary schools, Harlan, Lincoln, Salem, and Van Allen and the WisdomQuest Education Center.
Advanced education
The city is home to Iowa Wesleyan College
Iowa Wesleyan College
Iowa Wesleyan College is a private four-year liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church located Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.Iowa Wesleyan is recognized as a pioneer in higher education in America. Founded in 1842, it ranks as the oldest coeducational college located west of the Mississippi River...
, which, founded in 1842, ranks as the oldest coeducational college/university west of the Mississippi River. The P.E.O. Sisterhood
P.E.O. Sisterhood
The P.E.O. Sisterhood is an international women's organization of about 250,000 members with a primary focus on providing educational opportunities for female students worldwide. The Sisterhood is organized with chapters throughout the United States and Canada, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa....
, an international philanthropic organization for women, was founded on the campus in Mount Pleasant by seven Iowa Wesleyan students.
Transportation
AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant (Amtrak station)
The Mount Pleasant Amtrak station is a train station in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system....
, operating its California Zephyr
California Zephyr
The California Zephyr is a long passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the midwestern and western United States.It runs from Chicago, Illinois, in the east to Emeryville, California, in the west, passing through the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California...
daily in both directions between Chicago
Union Station (Chicago)
Union Station is a major train station that opened in 1925 in Chicago, replacing an earlier 1881 station. It is now the only intercity rail terminal in Chicago, as well as being the city's primary terminal for commuter trains. The station stands on the west side of the Chicago River between Adams...
, Illinois, and Emeryville, California, across the bay from San Francisco.
U.S. Route 34
U.S. Route 34
U.S. Route 34 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 1,122 miles from north-central Colorado to the western suburbs of Chicago. Through Rocky Mountain National Park it is known as the Trail Ridge Road where it reaches 12,183 ft , making it the highest paved through highway in...
bypasses Mount Pleasant to the north, while U.S. Route 218
U.S. Route 218
U.S. Route 218 is an original United States Highway, created in 1926. Although technically a spur of U.S. Route 18, US 218 neither begins nor ends at US 18, but overlaps US 18 for near Charles City, Iowa. US 218 begins at U.S. Route 136 in downtown Keokuk and ends away at...
/Iowa Highway 27 bypass the city to the east. These highways' former routes through the city are now designated as business routes.
The Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport
Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport (Iowa)
Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles southeast of the central business district of Mount Pleasant, a city in Henry County, Iowa, United States...
(FAA Identifier: MPZ) at an elevation of 730 ft (222.5 m) is located 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of the city. The airport started operations in March 1945. has 4 runways, 2 are asphalt surface 4001ft long x 75ft wide (1220m x 23m) with runway edge lights, and 2 have turf for the surface and are 1965ft long x 120ft wide (599m x 37m) marked by yellow cones.
Notable people
- James Van AllenJames Van AllenJames Alfred Van Allen was an American space scientist at the University of Iowa.The Van Allen radiation belts were named after him, following the 1958 satellite missions in which Van Allen had argued that a Geiger counter should be used to detect charged particles.- Life and career :* September...
(1914–2006) considered America's foremost space scientist - Tom VilsackTom VilsackThomas James "Tom" Vilsack is an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party, and presently the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He served as the 40th Governor of the state of Iowa. He was first elected in 1998 and re-elected to a second four-year term in 2002...
(1950– ) former governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, and current United States Secretary of AgricultureUnited States Secretary of AgricultureThe United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on 20 January 2009. The position carries similar responsibilities to those of agriculture ministers in other... - Arabella MansfieldArabella MansfieldArabella Mansfield , née Belle Aurelia Babb, became the first female lawyer in the United States when she was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1869. She was allowed to take the bar exam and passed with high scores, despite a state law restricting applicants to white males over 21...
(1846–1911) first female lawyerLawyerA 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...
in the United States of America - Dana HolgorsenDana HolgorsenDana Holgorsen is an American football coach and former player. He is the current head football coach at West Virginia University, having succeeded Bill Stewart, who resigned under pressure on June 10, 2011...
(1971– ) head coachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
for the West Virginia UniversityWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team
External links
- Official Mount Pleasant City website
- Mount Pleasant Public Library
- Mount Pleasant area Chamber Alliance
- City Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Mount Pleasant, Iowa