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Coldwater, Mississippi
Central Avenue
Central Avenue
Flag of Coldwater, Mississippi
Flag
Nickname(s): 
C-Town
Location of Coldwater, Mississippi
Location of Coldwater, Mississippi
Coldwater, Mississippi is located in the United States
Coldwater, Mississippi
Coldwater, Mississippi
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Mississippi
County Tate
Area
 • Total 2.38 sq mi (6.16 km2)
 • Land 2.38 sq mi (6.15 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
262 ft (80 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,381
 • Density 581.47/sq mi (224.55/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
38618
Area code(s) 662
FIPS code 28-14900
GNIS feature ID 2406292

Coldwater is a small town in Tate County, Mississippi. It is part of the larger Memphis Metropolitan Area. In 2010, about 1,677 people lived there.

History of Coldwater

The town of Coldwater got its name because it is about two miles south of the Coldwater River. The first settlement here started in 1856. It was called the village of Elm Grove.

Early Growth and Railroad

In 1858, the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad was built through the area. This helped the town grow a lot. Stores and other businesses opened along the railroad tracks. Churches were also built.

Coldwater officially became a town in 1872. At that time, it was located in DeSoto County. The town was one mile square, with the train station at its center. The area was known for its cotton farms, and Coldwater became an important trading spot.

New County and More Settlers

In 1873, during a time called Reconstruction, a new county was formed. This was Tate County. It was made from parts of DeSoto, Marshall, and Tunica counties. Coldwater then became part of this new Tate County.

More people moved to Coldwater from places like Virginia, the Carolinas, and Alabama. They were looking for a better life. By 1890, Coldwater had 397 residents. In 1884, Tate County had many small schools. Most were one-room log houses with one teacher.

Moving the Town

Coldwater kept growing, but the river often flooded the town. Even though flooding made the farmland rich, it caused problems. In the early 1940s, the Army Corps of Engineers built the Arkabutla Lake and Dam. This project was on the Coldwater River.

Because of the flooding and the new dam, the town decided to move. Coldwater was rebuilt about a mile and a half south of its original spot. Parts of the old town are now underwater all year.

Radio Station History

A radio station called WREC was started in Coldwater by Hoyt B. Wooten. It used to broadcast news and information. Today, that station is known as WREG-TV. It broadcasts news on a major network.

Geography of Coldwater

Coldwater covers a total area of about 2.4 square miles (6.1 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a very small part, about 0.42%, is water.

Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 397
1890 518 30.5%
1900 557 7.5%
1910 774 39.0%
1920 856 10.6%
1930 664 −22.4%
1940 690 3.9%
1950 949 37.5%
1960 1,264 33.2%
1970 1,450 14.7%
1980 1,505 3.8%
1990 1,502 −0.2%
2000 1,674 11.5%
2010 1,677 0.2%
2020 1,381 −17.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 Census Information

The 2020 United States Census counted 1,381 people living in Coldwater. There were 711 households and 541 families in the town.

Coldwater Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White 273 19.77%
Black or African American 1,032 74.73%
Native American 1 0.07%
Asian 2 0.14%
Other/Mixed 53 3.84%
Hispanic or Latino 20 1.45%

Education in Coldwater

The Tate County School District serves the town of Coldwater. There are two schools in Coldwater: Coldwater Elementary and Coldwater High School.

Coldwater High School Sports

Coldwater High School is known for its strong sports teams. The track and basketball teams have often reached the state championships. The girls' basketball team won state championships in 1996, 2007, and 2008. They also made it to the final two teams many times since 2003.

The boys' basketball team won state championships in 2009 and 2012. They have also made it to the final games several times since 2003. The school mascot is the Mighty Coldwater Cougar. The school colors are blue, gold, and white.

Famous People from Coldwater

Many notable people have come from Coldwater, Mississippi.

  • Felicia C. Adams - A U.S. Attorney for northern Mississippi.
  • Dorris Bowdon - An actress.
  • Don Castle - A baseball player.
  • Bill Coday - A blues singer.
  • Kamala - A famous WWE wrestler.
  • Trell Kimmons - An Olympic track and field runner.
  • Cameron Lawrence - An NFL player.
  • Dumas Malone - A historian who won a Pulitzer Prize.
  • Austin Riley - A third baseman for the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
  • Sarah Streeter (also known as Big Time Sarah) - A blues singer.
  • T. Webber Wilson - A U.S. Representative from Mississippi.
  • Mitch Young - A gridiron football player.

Gallery

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Coldwater (Misisipi) para niños

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