Amite City, Louisiana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Amite City, Louisiana
Town
Town of Amite City
Blythewood Plantation House
Location of Amite City in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Tangipahoa
Incorporated	March 7, 1861
Area
• Total	3.89 sq mi (10.08 km2)
• Land	3.88 sq mi (10.04 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation	115 ft (35 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,005
• Density	1,033.02/sq mi (398.83/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code	70422
Area code(s)	985
FIPS code	22-01885
GNIS feature ID	2405148

Amite City is a town in southeastern Louisiana, United States. It is the main town, also called the seat, of Tangipahoa Parish. People often just call it Amite. In 2020, about 4,005 people lived there.

History of Amite City

The first Europeans to settle here were French traders and colonists. They built their homes near a Choctaw village by the Tangipahoa River. A local story says that Choctaw Chief Baptiste welcomed these early settlers. He was the last Choctaw chief in this area.

The name "Amite" might come from a Choctaw word meaning "red ant," which stands for being hardworking. It could also come from the French word amitié, meaning "friendship."

How Amite City Grew with the Railroad

In 1852, a new railroad called the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad was planned. By 1854, the railroad opened from New Orleans to the state line. Amite City was chosen as a good stopping point. It was halfway between Lake Pontchartrain to the south and the Mississippi state line to the north.

Amite City officially became a town in 1855. Land was sold, and the community quickly grew. The Hotel Ponder at "Amite Station" became a popular place for travelers to eat and relax. Amite Station also became a popular vacation spot in the late 1850s. Many wealthy people from New Orleans built country homes here. They wanted to enjoy nature and escape illnesses like yellow fever that were common in New Orleans.

Amite City During and After the Civil War

On March 7, 1861, Amite City was officially made a town. This happened two months after Louisiana left the Union. During the Civil War, Amite City was important for the Confederate army. It was a meeting place for officials who helped supply Camp Moore. This was the largest Confederate training base in Louisiana, located 10 miles north.

Union soldiers visited Amite City at least twice during the war. In 1864, a group of Union soldiers burned the railroad station. They also destroyed the train tracks leading to Camp Moore.

After the war, during a time called Reconstruction, Union troops stayed in Amite City. In 1869, a new parish was created and named Tangipahoa. Amite City was chosen as its main town, or parish seat. Since 1870, five different buildings have served as the courthouse.

Industry and Economy in Amite City

From the 1870s to the early 1900s, Amite City grew as a trading center. It was important for cotton farmers and other businesses. In 1869, the Gullet Gin Company opened in Amite City. This company made machines called cotton gins, which separate cotton fibers from seeds. By the early 1900s, it was the biggest cotton gin maker in the South, employing over 250 people.

During World War II, the factory changed to make things for the war. It produced large shells for weapons. The plant closed in 1963.

In the middle of the 20th century, many cotton farms became dairy farms. Today, Tangipahoa Parish is a big center for Louisiana's dairy industry. It also grows a lot of strawberries. Amite City is a major place for processing oysters and hosts the annual Oyster Festival.

Geography of Amite City

Amite City is located at 30°43′43″N 90°30′31″W / 30.72861°N 90.50861°W / 30.72861; -90.50861.

The town covers a total area of about 3.9 square miles (10.1 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.8 square miles (9.8 square kilometers), is land. A very small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.1 square kilometers), is water.

Population and People

In 2020, there were 4,005 people living in Amite City. There were 1,468 households and 1,172 families. In 2010, the population was 4,141 people.

The people living in Amite City in 2010 included:

• 43.59% White
• 54.50% African American
• 0.12% Native American
• 0.56% Asian
• 0.36% from other races
• 0.87% from two or more races
• 1.50% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

About 25.3% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age was 34 years.

Education in Amite City

The Tangipahoa Parish School Board runs three public schools in Amite City:

• Amite High Magnet School
• West Side Middle School
• Amite Elementary School

Notable people

Many interesting people have come from Amite City, including:

• Rusty Chambers, a former NFL football player
• John Bel Edwards, who was the 56th Governor of Louisiana
• Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Jr., a Democratic Louisiana Attorney General
• Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Sr., a Democratic U.S. Representative
• Kevin Magee, a basketball player who played in Europe
• Reggie Porter, a former football player for the Utah Utes
• Lloyd Pye, a researcher and author
• Billy Reid, a fashion designer
• Lester Ricard, a football player for the Tulane Green Wave
• DeVonta Smith, a Philadelphia Eagles football player and winner of the 2020 Heisman Trophy
• Joanne Verger, an Oregon legislator and the first woman mayor of Coos Bay, Oregon
• Lavelle White ("Miss Lavelle"), an American Texas blues and soul singer
• Harry D. Wilson, a former state representative
• Karl Wilson, a former NFL football player

See also

In Spanish: Amite City para niños