Chalybeate, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chalybeate
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Location of Chalybeate, Mississippi
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| Counties | Tippah |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| FIPS code | 28-12780 |
Chalybeate is a small community in Tippah County, Mississippi, in the United States. It is known as a census-designated place. This means it's an area identified by the government for counting people. However, it is not an officially incorporated city or town with its own local government. In the 2020 Census, about 170 people lived there.
Contents
History of Chalybeate
Chalybeate is in the northern part of Tippah County. It is located just east of Walnut on Highway 354. The community was first called Chalybeate Springs. This name came from a special spring found there. The spring water had a lot of iron in it.
What "Chalybeate" Means
The word "chalybeate" comes from Latin. It means "full of iron." People believed the water from the spring was good for their health. Because of this, Chalybeate was once known as a health resort.
Early Days and Changes
Chalybeate grew from an older community called Jonesborough. Jonesborough was founded before 1840. After the Civil War, Jonesborough faded away. Its businesses could not compete with the newer, larger stores in Chalybeate.
Education in Chalybeate
Chalybeate has always been known for its good schools. The first school opened in 1889. A man named J. Finch Ray saw the need for a school. He worked with other town leaders to create a company. They sold shares to raise money for the school.
The school was first called Chalybeate Springs Institute. In 1900, its name changed to Chalybeate Springs High School. In 1957, the Chalybeate school joined with the Walnut school. Today, it teaches students from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Life in the Community
For many years, Chalybeate was a busy place. It had a boarding house where teachers could live. People who wanted to drink the spring water also stayed there. Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Bobo ran it first, then Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Bobo.
There were also several businesses in town. These included stores that sold goods. One famous store was McBride and Wiggs, which operated for many years. There was also a saddle and harness shop. A "tan yard" was located behind what is now the school gym. This was a place where animal hides were turned into leather.
Chalybeate even had its own bank for a while. The Chalybeate Bank was led by W. E. Clemmer. Sadly, it had to close during the Great Depression. The Great Depression was a time in the 1930s when many people lost their jobs and businesses struggled.
Many of the first families to settle here came from the Carolinas. Some of these families were the Whittens, Rays, Powells, and Bobos.
Chalybeate Today
Today, the school and churches in Chalybeate are still active. However, many of the old business buildings are empty. Some of them have even burned down recently. Only a gas station and a small store are still open in the main business area. You can still see some old two-story homes and a beautiful church near the center of town.
The community uses ZIP Code 38683 and Area Code 662.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 170 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 |
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2020 Census Information
A census is an official count of a population. The 2020 census showed that 170 people lived in Chalybeate. Here is a breakdown of the different groups of people living there:
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2020 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 156 | 91.76% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1 | 0.59% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 3 | 1.76% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 5 | 2.94% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5 | 2.94% |
| Total | 170 | 100.00% |
Note: The US Census counts Hispanic/Latino people as an ethnic group. This table separates them from the main racial categories. People who are Hispanic/Latino can be of any race.
Geology
The land around Chalybeate has interesting rock formations. These include limestone and marl. Limestone is a hard rock often used in building. Marl is a soft, earthy material.
The limestone here has many Turritella fossils. These are the fossilized shells of ancient sea snails. On top of the limestone, there is a layer of yellow sandy marl. This marl can be seen at the Chalybeate Spring itself.
Education
The community has a school called Chalybeate Elementary. It is part of the North Tippah School District. This school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade.
