Lebanon, Missouri
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other places with the same name, see Lebanon (disambiguation).
Lebanon is a city in Laclede County, Missouri, United States. The population was 12,155 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Laclede CountyGR6. The Lebanon Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Laclede County.
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[edit] Geography
Lebanon is located at (37.678203, -92.661694)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.4 km² (13.7 mi²). 35.3 km² (13.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.22%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 12,155 people, 5,132 households, and 3,181 families residing in the city. The population density was 344.3/km² (891.9/mi²). There were 5,745 housing units at an average density of 162.7/km² (421.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.99% White, 0.90% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.
There were 5,132 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,668, and the median income for a family was $36,509. Males had a median income of $27,657 versus $17,509 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,636. About 12.3% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Culture and History
Notable onetime residents include novelist Harold Bell Wright, author of The Shepherd of the Hills. While in Lebanon he wrote the scathingThe Calling of Dan Matthews as an indictment of the general hypocrisy of the town of Lebanon. In the novel a young preacher becomes disgusted with the closed-mindedness of his parish. Several real life sites are mentioned in the novel.
Congressman Richard Parks Bland and Missouri Govenor Phil Donnelly also called the town home. Dramatist Lanford Wilson was born in Lebanon in 1937.
Perhaps the most unique piece in Lebanon’s history is the "magnetic" water. A worker digging a new city water well in 1889 found that his tools could pick up nails. The water had magnetized them. Bathing in the magnetic waters was said to have healing powers and visitors came to bathe in them. The Gasconade Hotel was built to accommodate them and no grander building has ever been seen in Lebanon. The frame structure could house up to 500 guests, who were transported from the depot via an electric railroad. Never a great success, the Gasconade burned after only 10 years. The high school yearbook is named "The Magnet" in honor of this point in the town's history.
The town now serves as a "hub" of boat-manufacturing, factory, and farming cultures.
Lebanon is also located on Historic Route 66, and is the locaiton of the Missouri State Association of Free Will Baptists headquarters.
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
