McGehee, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McGehee
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Location of McGehee in Desha County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Desha |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.71 sq mi (17.37 km2) |
| • Land | 6.71 sq mi (17.37 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 148 ft (45 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,849 |
| • Density | 573.79/sq mi (221.54/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
71654, 71666
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-42770 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405049 |
McGehee is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. In 2020, about 3,849 people lived there. It is a place with a rich history, especially connected to the railroad.
Contents
History of McGehee
The story of McGehee is closely linked to the railroad. In 1870, a train track was built through this area. It connected Pine Bluff to Chicot County.
The McGehee family moved here from Alabama in 1857. Benjamin and Sarah McGehee, with their children, settled on land that is now part of the city. Their son, Abner McGehee, bought 240 acres (about 1 square kilometer) of this land in 1876. This is where the town of McGehee would later be built.
When the railroad arrived in McGehee in 1878, more people started moving to the area. Abner McGehee opened a large store, called a commissary, to help the new residents. One of the first buildings was a sawmill, which cut wood. This wood was used to build simple rental homes.
In 1879, a post office was set up in Abner McGehee's store. He became the first postmaster. The post office was named McGehee and served between 400 and 500 people. The town officially became a city on March 5, 1906. The first city council meeting was held on July 21, 1906.
During World War II, an area on the edge of McGehee was used as a special camp. It housed Japanese and Japanese-American civilians. These people had lived on the U.S. West Coast before the war.
Today, the economy of McGehee mostly depends on agriculture. Farm products are moved by trucks instead of trains. The city has grown from 400 people in 1879 to about 5,000 citizens today. There are also new port facilities on the Mississippi River. The roads have been improved to handle more traffic.
Even though trucks are important, McGehee still has strong ties to railroads. The North Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad and the Arkansas Midland Railroad serve the city directly. The Union Pacific railroad also connects through the Arkansas Midland.
Geography of McGehee
U.S. Route 278 goes through the middle of McGehee. It leads west for 26 miles (42 km) to Monticello. This route also meets U.S. Routes 65 and 165 on the southeast side of town. U.S. Routes 65 and 165 go north for 19 miles (31 km) to Dumas.
The three highways (US 65, 165, and 278) go south together for 4 miles (6 km). Then they split up. US 65 and 278 continue south for 17 miles (27 km) to Lake Village. US 165 turns southwest and goes for 19 miles (31 km) to Montrose.
The United States Census Bureau says that McGehee covers a total area of 17.5 square kilometers (6.7 square miles). All of this area is land.
Population Changes
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 1,157 | — | |
| 1920 | 2,368 | 104.7% | |
| 1930 | 3,488 | 47.3% | |
| 1940 | 3,663 | 5.0% | |
| 1950 | 3,854 | 5.2% | |
| 1960 | 4,448 | 15.4% | |
| 1970 | 4,683 | 5.3% | |
| 1980 | 5,671 | 21.1% | |
| 1990 | 4,997 | −11.9% | |
| 2000 | 4,570 | −8.5% | |
| 2010 | 4,219 | −7.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,849 | −8.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Data
The 2020 United States Census counted 3,849 people living in McGehee. There were 1,641 households and 1,147 families in the city.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
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| White | 1,666 | 43.28% |
| Black or African American | 1,823 | 47.36% |
| Native American | 21 | 0.55% |
| Asian | 25 | 0.65% |
| Other/Mixed | 141 | 3.66% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 173 | 4.49% |
Culture and Attractions
The Japanese American Internment Museum is located in McGehee. This museum teaches visitors about the history of the detention camp that was in the area during World War II.
Education in McGehee
The McGehee School District runs two public schools.
- McGehee Elementary School teaches students from pre-kindergarten through 6th grade.
- McGehee High School teaches students from 7th through 12th grade.
The school mascot is the Owl, and the school colors are red and white.
The Southeast Arkansas Public Library also has a branch in McGehee, called the McGehee Branch Library.
Famous People from McGehee
Many notable people have connections to McGehee:
- Oliver Keith Baker: A scientist who studies particles and space, born in McGehee.
- Marquesha Davis: A professional basketball player, born and raised in McGehee.
- Ben F. Gross: The first African-American mayor of Milpitas.
- Caldwell Jones: A professional basketball player, who was from McGehee.
- Seth J. McKee: A general in the United States Air Force, born in McGehee.
- Charles Robert McPherson: A senior pastor at the great Riverside Baptist Church.
- Robert B. Stobaugh (1927–2017): A chemical engineer and economist.
See also
In Spanish: McGehee (Arkansas) para niños
