Groesbeck, Texas
Groesbeck, Texas | |
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Motto: People love 'Mercia | |
Location of Groesbeck, Texas | |
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Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Limestone |
Area | |
• Total | 3.8 sq mi (9.8 km2) |
• Land | 3.8 sq mi (9.7 km2) |
• Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
Elevation | 479 ft (146 m) |
Population (2000) | |
• Total | 4,328 |
• Density | 989/sq mi (382/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code | 76642 |
Area code | 254 |
GNIS feature ID | 1358461[2] |
Groesbeck is a city in and the county seat of Limestone County, Texas, United States.[3] The population was 4,328 at the 2010 census. The community is named after a railroad employee.
History
The city of Groesbeck was dedicated as a township by Houston and Texas Central Railroad in 1869. It was named for Abram Groesbeeck, a railroad director. [4] The difference in spelling between the person and town is a result of the Post Office directives for simpler spelling.[5] Development of its city government began in 1871. Groesbeck became the county seat of Limestone county in 1873 and is home to the "Million Dollar Courthouse." Old Fort Parker Historical Site on north side of Groesbeck is preserved to tell the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was captured by Comanches, and became the mother of Quannah Parker the last Comanche chief. The last legal execution in Limestone County occurred on April 12, 1895, when Richard Burleson, who had been convicted of murdering James Garrett McKinnon, was hanged in front of the courthouse in Groesbeck.[6]
Geography
Groesbeck is located at 31°31′22″N 96°31′56″W / 31.52278°N 96.53222°W (31.522907, -96.532125).[7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2), of which, 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) of it is land and 0.27% is water.
The community is located at the junction of State Highways 14 and 164.
Groesbeck is the closest town to historic Old Fort Parker. See Fort Parker massacre. The Fort holds an annual Christmas event at the site of old Fort Parker every December. The original fort has been re-built on the original site to exact specifications.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 402 | — | |
1890 | 663 | 64.9% | |
1900 | 1,462 | 120.5% | |
1910 | 1,454 | −0.5% | |
1920 | 1,522 | 4.7% | |
1930 | 2,059 | 35.3% | |
1940 | 2,272 | 10.3% | |
1950 | 2,182 | −4.0% | |
1960 | 2,498 | 14.5% | |
1970 | 2,396 | −4.1% | |
1980 | 3,373 | 40.8% | |
1990 | 3,185 | −5.6% | |
2000 | 4,291 | 34.7% | |
2010 | 4,328 | 0.9% | |
2015 (est.) | 4,304 | [8] | −0.6% |
As of the census[1] of 2010, there were 4,328 people, 1,286 households, and 864 families residing in the city. The population density was 989 people per square mile (382/km²). There were 1,473 housing units at an average density of 336.8 per square mile (130/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.36% White, 20.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 11.3% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.9% of the population.
There were 1,286 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 19 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.4 years.
Government
City of Groesbeck is a Type A General Law City. Melvin O'Docharty has served the City of Groesbeck as Mayor since 2014. There are five (5) City Council members: David Hernandez (Mayor Pro Tem). Arleen Taveras, Bob Zeman, Kim Harris and Matthew Daley. [1]
The main source of water is the Navasota River.
Library
The city of Groesbeck has one public library, Maffett Memorial Library. The Maffett Memorial Public Library is located at 601 W. Yeagua St., also known as Hwy. 164.
Education
The city of Groesbeck is served by the Groesbeck Independent School District, which includes five different schools: Preschool, H.O.Whitehurst, Enge Washington, Groesbeck Middle School, and Groesbeck High School.
Residents of note
- Actor Joe Don Baker was born in Groesbeck in 1936.
- Physician Larry Dossey was born Groesbeck in 1940.
- National Football League players Kenneth Sims, Frankie Smith, and Lenoy Jones played for Groesbeck High School.
- Author Garland Roark ("Wake of the Red Witch").
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-04-02.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hgg06
- ^ A Memorial and Biographical History of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon Counties, Texas. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company. 1893. p. 366. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ Collins, Bob. "Photo in Joe's Crab Shack decor was a hanging, not a lynching". NewsCut. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.