Memphis is a city in and the county seat of Scotland County, on the northern border of Missouri, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,731. U.S. Highway 136 passes near Memphis, which is east of Lancaster and west of Kahoka.

History

thumb|left|Scotland County court house in Memphis.

thumb|right|Memphis city hall.

Although the Missouri General Assembly organized Scotland County on January 29, 1841, the town of Memphis was not developed until more than two years later. County commissioners met at Sand Hill on May 15, 1843, to select the county seat. They chose a spot near the county's geographical center and, after some debate, named it Memphis, after Memphis, Egypt. The name had been previously used by a U.S. Post Office that operated near the North Fabius River a short distance away.

Early settler Samuel Cecil donated about 50 acres of land to the county for the new town. After being laid out in town lots, the original plat of Memphis was filed in county court on October 11, 1843. A decade later the county court declared the building unsafe. A second, larger courthouse was constructed in the middle of the town square in 1856 at a cost of $19,500. That building served the county well until the turn of the 20th century, but its small size made it outdated; it measured 40 by 70 feet. It was condemned in May 1905 and razed in early 1907. They first raided the federal armory, seizing about 100 muskets with cartridge boxes and ammunition, and several uniforms. The Confederates rounded up all adult males and took them to the courthouse. They had to swear not to divulge any information about the raiders for 48 hours. Porter freed all militiamen or suspected militiamen to await parole. He gave safe passage to a physician, an admitted Union supporter, who was anxious to return to a seriously ill wife. Porter's troops entered the courthouse and destroyed all indictments for horse-theft. This act has been variously interpreted as lawlessness, intervention on behalf of criminal associates, or interference with politically motivated, fraudulent charges.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Memphis had a population of 1,731. The median age was 41.3 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 83.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 79.5 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 780 households in Memphis, of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.3% were married-couple households, 17.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 35.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 1,822 people, 813 households, and 466 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 994 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.5% White, 0.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.2% of the population.

There were 813 households, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.7% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 43.8 years. 24% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.2% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 23.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.6% male and 55.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census

The Scotland County Memorial Library is in Memphis, serving the city and all county residents.

Notable people

<!-- PLEASE DO NOT add BROCK BONDURANT to list of notables at this time. He DOES NOT meet the Wikipedia rules for notability. IF he becomes Mizzou starting QB in future years then he might then be notable enough. But for now he is not. If you add it the name will be swiftly removed. Please obey the Wikipedia guidelines. Thank you. -->

  • Alexandre Hogue, realist painter based in Dallas, Texas, known mostly for landscapes
  • Tom Horn, Chief of Scouts during Apache Wars, range detective, gunfighter
  • George Saling, track & field athlete, gold medal winner at 1932 Summer Olympics
  • Adrienne Wilkinson, TV, film and voiceover actress; notable roles on Xena: Warrior Princess and As If.

<!-- PLEASE DO NOT add BROCK BONDURANT to list of notables at this time. He DOES NOT meet the Wikipedia rules for notability so his name will be swiftly removed. IF he becomes Mizzou starting QB in future years then he might then be notable enough. But for now he is not. Please obey the Wikipedia guidelines.Thank you. -->

<gallery widths=200px>

File:MemphisMoNorthSideSquare.jpg|North side of the Memphis square. September, 2012.

File:MemphisMoEastSideSquare.jpg|East side of the Memphis square. September, 2012.

File:MemphisMoSouthSideSquare.jpg|South side of the Memphis square. September, 2012.

File:MemphisMoWestSideSquare.jpg|West side of the Memphis square. September, 2012.

</gallery>

See also

  • List of cities in Missouri

References

  • Historic maps of Memphis in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri