Gluckstadt, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gluckstadt, Mississippi
|
|
---|---|
Country | United States |
State | Mississippi |
County | Madison |
Area | |
• Total | 8.98 sq mi (23.3 km2) |
• Land | 8.78 sq mi (22.7 km2) |
• Water | 0.20 sq mi (0.5 km2) |
Elevation | 279 ft (85 m) |
Population
(2020)
|
|
• Total | 3,208 |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP codes | |
Area code(s) | 601, 769 |
GNIS feature ID | 2831207 |
FIPS Code | 28-27900 |
Gluckstadt is a city located in Madison County, Mississippi, United States. For a long time, it was an unincorporated community, meaning it wasn't officially a city. However, in June 2021, Gluckstadt officially became a city.
According to the 2020 census, before it became a city, Gluckstadt had a population of 3,208 people. The city is found along Interstate 55 in the southern part of Madison County. It is located between the cities of Madison and Canton. Gluckstadt is also part of the larger Jackson Metropolitan Area.
Contents
Discovering Gluckstadt's History
Gluckstadt was started in June 1905. Several German Catholic families from Klaasville, Indiana, moved here to create a new community. The name "Gluckstadt" comes from the German language. It means "Lucky Town" in English. There is even a town with a similar name, Glückstadt, in Germany.
Freedom School and Civil Rights
In 1964, during the Civil Rights Movement, a special "freedom school" was set up in Gluckstadt. These schools helped African Americans learn and register to vote. The school building was damaged, but the students and teachers bravely continued their lessons. They kept meeting right there in the damaged building. Later that year, some students from Gluckstadt moved to a similar freedom school in Canton.
Becoming an Official City
In 2021, the Mississippi Supreme Court made an important decision. They ruled that Gluckstadt could officially become a city. This was a big step for the community! The new city is led by Mayor Walter Morrison IV. There are also several Aldermen who help make decisions for the city. These leaders include Jayce Powell, Lisa Williams, John Taylor, Miya Warfield Bates, and Wesley Slay.
Annual German Festival
Every year, Gluckstadt celebrates its German heritage. A fun German festival is held on the grounds of St. Joseph Catholic Church. It's a great way for the community to remember its roots.
Exploring Gluckstadt's Geography
Gluckstadt is located about 8 miles (13 km) south of Canton. It is also about 5 miles (8 km) north of Madison. The state capital, Jackson, is about 17 miles (27 km) to the south.
Major Roads and Waterways
Interstate 55 is a major highway that runs right through the middle of Gluckstadt. You can get into the city from Exit 112, which is called Gluckstadt Road. Another important road, U.S. Route 51, passes along the east side of Gluckstadt. This road offers a direct way to get to the centers of Madison and Canton.
The city of Gluckstadt covers a total area of about 9.0 square miles (23.3 sq km). Most of this area, about 8.8 square miles (22.8 sq km), is land. The rest, about 0.2 square miles (0.5 sq km), is water. Bear Creek and its smaller streams flow through the city. Bear Creek eventually flows into the Big Black River.
Understanding Gluckstadt's Population
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
2020 | 3,208 | — | |
U.S. Decennial Census |
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 3,208 people living in Gluckstadt. The community is made up of people from many different backgrounds.
Learning in Gluckstadt: Education
Most of the public schools in Gluckstadt are part of the Madison County School District.
Local Schools
Students in Gluckstadt attend several schools. There are two elementary schools for grades K-5: Madison Crossing Elementary and Mannsdale Elementary. For middle school, students go to Germantown Middle School, which serves grades 6-8. High school students attend Germantown High School, for grades 9-12.
Germantown High School was built because Madison Central High School became too crowded. Before Germantown High was established, students from Madison Crossing, Mannsdale, and Germantown Middle would go on to Madison Central. A small part of Gluckstadt is also served by the Canton School District.
Neighborhoods and Subdivisions
Gluckstadt has many different neighborhoods, called subdivisions. There are 50 subdivisions in total. Half of these neighborhoods send their students to Mannsdale Elementary. The other half send their students to Madison Crossing Elementary.
Notable People from Gluckstadt
- Branson Robinson, a talented running back for the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team.
- Aaron Shirley, a respected physician and a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the "genius grant."