Mississippi County, Missouri is located in Southeast Missouri, and is the easternmost county of the state.  It is half way between St. Louis and Memphis, Nashville and Springfield, Missouri.

    Interstate 57 goes through Charleston and Interstate 55 is 10 miles to the west, providing excellent, four lane access to cities north and south, Highway 60 also runs through Charleston, providing the east west link.

    The Mississippi and Ohio Rivers join here, providing immediate access to river transportation.  Approximately one half of the population of the United States is within a 500 mile radius of Missouri.

    The Dorena-Hickman Ferry is the only Mississippi River ferry still in existence from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri to Louisiana, and the 20 minute boat ride gives visitors and residents alike, a pleasurable look at the river.

    The Mississippi River Trail, a bicycle trail stretching from just below St. Louis to New Orleans, goes through Mississippi County.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

    There are two school districts in Mississippi county, the R-1 School District which serves the northern half of the county and the R-2 School District, serving the south end of the county.  Graduates from both districts do well in college and in the world.  Both public high schools in Mississippi County, in Charleston and East Prairie, offer some vocational training to their students and G.E.D. adult education training is available.

PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

    The largest private elementary school is St. Henry's Catholic School located in Charleston.  Cornerstone Baptist School is located in Bertrand and a private elementary school is also located in East Prairie.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Southeast Missouri State University, a four-year university which also offers graduate degrees, which is located in Cape Girardeau, 35 miles north.

Three Rivers Community College is located in Poplar Bluff, 65 miles west.

Shawnee Community College is located in Ullin, Illinois, 42 miles to the northeast.

Murray State University is located in Murray, Kentucky, 70 miles southeast of Charleston.
 

VOCATIONAL - TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

    Vocational - technical schools are located in Sikeston (11 miles) and New Madrid (30 miles), offer a variety of courses.

    The Cities of Charleston and East Prairie have fully staffed fire stations with up-to-date equipment.  The Cities of Wyatt, Bertrand and Anniston have volunteer Fire Departments with trucks.  Mutual Aid agreements are also in place with the neighboring communities in case of a major conflagration.  Charleston and East Prairie provide fire protection services to the Rural Fire Protection District under annual contracts.

DOCTORS AND CLINICS

    There are three MDs living and working in Mississippi County and Missouri Delta Medical Center operates a clinic out of the Mississippi County Health Department.  Ferguson Clinic of Sikeston, (23 doctors) has a satellite office in East Prairie.  There are also three dentists in Mississippi County, one eye doctor, and two chiropractors.  The Visiting Nurses Association of Southeast Missouri provides home health care as needed.

HOSPITAL SERVICES

    Fully equipped acute care hospitals are located in Sikeston (11 miles), and in Cape Girardeau (35 miles).

MOBILE MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

    Mississippi County has an Ambulance District manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with paramedics and EMT's.  The Ambulance District office is half-way between Charleston and East Prairie on Highway 105.  The closest hospital is the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston and the St. Francis Hospital and the Southeast Medical Center work in conjunction with the District to provide capable emergency treatment in the field.

    The county is within two hours of medical facilities in Memphis and St. Louis by vehicle, and by Air-Medivac.

   9-1-1 EMERGENCY CALLING IS AVAILABLE

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

    The Mississippi County unemployment rate for January 1997 was at 9.9 percent.
 

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

Year           Charleston         East Prairie       County        MSA(*)
1970           5,131                  3,275                 16,647         159,203
1980           5,230                  3, 713                15,722         168,638
1990           5,085                  3,416                 14,442         156,674

*Above information includes following counties Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott, Stoddard.

Race: County: 80% White, 19.4% Black, .3% Hispanic

Median Age:  32-34 years

Female:         35-37 years

Male:           30-32 years

AREA WORKFORCE, LABOR MARKET, & AREA STATISTICS

The workforce of this four-county area comes from Mississippi, New Madrid, Scott and Stoddard counties.

According to the Sikeston Unemployment Office as of January 1997:

COUNTY/LMA                  CLF              EMP                 UNEMP          RATE
Mississippi                          6065              5465                 600                  9.9
New Madrid                        8598              7910                 688                  8.0
Scott                                   19631            18214               1417                 7.2
Stoddard                             14377            12710              1667                11.6

LOCAL OFFICE TOTAL  48671             44299               4372                 9.0
 
 

    Mississippi County has had a Library District supported by a property tax since the 1940s. The Clara Drinkwater Newman Library building is in downtown Charleston and a branch library, the Mitchell Memorial Library in East Prairie.

    Mississippi County, Missouri is the northernmost portion of the Mississippi River Embayment formed over time by sediments from the "Father of Waters." Soils are rich, topography appears flat, and historically, farming has been the primary industry. Primary crops grown include corn, soybeans, wheat and grain sorghum, although potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes and melons are gaining in importance.

    There is an abundant, recharging supply of good quality ground water.

    The county is part of the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project and is protected by 5OO-year levees. The region has not flooded from river flooding since 1937.

    Charleston is the county seat of Mississippi County and known for its beautiful dogwoods and azaleas and old historic homes. Other communities include East Prairie, Bertrand, Wyatt, Anniston, Wilson City and Pinhook.
 
 

DOMESTIC WATER SYSTEM

    Adequate domestic water is available in each of the cities of the county, with the exception of the incorporated village of Pinhook. A Rural Water District has been approved by voters in the unincorporated portion of the county, and the Water District Board is working to provide treated water to county residents. At the moment, those living in the unincorporated part of the county have private wells.

SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

    Adequate sewage treatment facilities are also available to those within the city limits. County residents rely on private septic systems.

ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM

    Adequate electricity is provided by AmerenUE, or by the Scott-New Madrid-Mississippi Electric Co-op, a rural electric cooperative.

NATURAL GAS

    Mississippi County is served by United Cities Gas Company. Fuel Oil and LP gas are supplied by several private companies.

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

    Southwestern Bell Telephone has up-to-date facilities capable of providing digital services such as I.S.D.N. or any other requirements up to a DS-1 Transmission Rate.

    Local Internet connections are available at a reasonable cost.

PARKS AND RECREATION

    The Cities of Charleston and East Prairie have a full array of public parks, baseball diamonds, tennis courts. swimming pools, etc. There are 13 public parks in the two communities and East    Prairie has recently finished construction of the 14th, a 20-acre Family Recreation Center. There are also three public fishing ponds in the two cities, two in Charleston and one in East Prairie.  There is one private country club/golf course just east of the Charleston city limits.

    In addition, there are numerous fishing holes in Mississippi County, plus five public access points to the Mississippi River itself where visitors enjoy fishing, motor boating and water-skiing. There is one private campground in Charleston, and numerous areas to hike or ride bicycles. The Mississippi River Trail, a multi-state endeavor extending from New Orleans to St.. Genevieve, Missouri, enters Missouri through the Dorena-Hickman Ferry, one of the few remaining ferries on the Mississippi.

    The Missouri Department of Conservation has several conservation areas and lakes in the county, including the Robert DeLaney Lake one mile north of the city, known for its great crappie fishing; the Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area and Number Seven Island Conservation Area where hunting is available in season. They also manage the Tom Bird Blue Hole, the Moore River Access Point, the 34 Corner Blue Hole and the Dorena Access Point.

    The Missouri Department of Natural Resources manages Big Oak Tree State Park, a National Natural Landmark, and one of the last remaining virgin bottom land forest and cypress swamps in the nation. Walk the boardwalk through the swamp, spend the day fishing or watch the sky for the more than 150 different species of birds known to exist there. In September, Big Oak hosts Living History Day, a special event where modern artisans demonstrate a number of traditional crafts from days gone by.

    Mississippi County's heritage is as rich as its soil, and you can share in that heritage at Towosahgy State Historic Site, battle of Belmont State Historic Site, Historic Museum of Mississippi County, Governor Warren E. Hearnes Museum, and the Mississippi County Historical Society Home and Museum.

    Towasahgy State Historic Site, a 65 acre historic site listed on the National Register, preserves the remains of a once fortified Indian village, which was also an important ceremonial center for the Mississippian Indians who lived here.

    The Battle of Belmont was Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant's first major battle of the Civil War. A historic marker at the end of Highway 80 interprets the battle. It was at this same site that during the war a huge chain was stretched across the river from Mississippi County to Columbus, Kentucky in an attempt to stop river traffic. A part of the chain is displayed in the Mississippi County Historical Society Museum.

    In April, Charleston hosts the Dogwood Azalea Festival. Lawns, gardens and parks are alive with vibrant spring flowers and special events appeal to both visitors and residents. East Prairie, a town rich in railroad history, is home to the annual Sweet corn Festival and fourth of July Celebration. In October, Charleston hosts neighboring bands for the annual Southeast Missouri Band Association parade and East Prairie hosts Fall Feast in October.
 
 

Show-Me Missouri Community Profiles

COMMUNITIES: CHARLESTON AND EAST PRAIRIE

Population
CHARLESTON                                                            EAST PRAIRIE
1990 City Population 5,085                                          1990 City Population 3,416
1990 Mississippi County Population 14,442

Municipal Information                                                Fire Insurance Class Rating :
Government Form                                                    Charleston:       6
Charleston: City Manager                                           East Prairie:      6
East Prairie: Mayor, Council/City Administrator

Full Time Policemen:                                                    Planning & Zoning Enforcement? yes Charleston: 19                                                              City Engineers? no
East Prairie: 7                                                               Mississippi County Zoning? no
 

The Mississippi County Sheriff's Department:
7 full time deputies
5 full time dispatchers/jailers on duty around the clock.
The department also has a total of 30 deputy reserves on standby at all times.
 
 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Chambers of Commerce? yes

Charelston Chamber of Commerce
East Prairie Chamber of Commerce

City Industrial Development Authorities? yes

Mississippi County Industrial Development Authority? yes

TRANSPORTATION

Nearest Public Airport:MISSISSIPPI COUNTY AIRPORT

Distance to Nearest Public Airport Charleston: 4 miles
Distance to Nearest Public Airport East Prairie: 5 miles
Length of Runway: 3200 feet

Nearest Regional Airport:    CAPE GIRARDEAU

Name of Airport: CAPE REGIONAL AIRPORT

Nearest Air Freight Service: 30 miles

Navigable River:     MISSISSIPPI

Public Barge Dock? no

Private Barge Dock? yes

Highways:

Interstate Highways:
2 (1-57 and 1-55)

US Highways:

2 (US 60 and 62)

Missouri Highways:

4 (MO 77, 80, 102 and 105)

Motor Freight Carriers:

B&J TRUCKING
STERLING TRANSPORTATION
JOHN TATUM
MEDLIN EQUIPMENT CO. INC.
M&M FREIGHT
DANNY RUSSELL
THRESHER
PHILLIPS
R.G.I.
JOHNSTON TRANSPORT DOWDY
McMILLEN
EDWARDS
LANKHEIT
FARM PRODUCTS CO. INC.
ATERS
DELTA GROWERS
EAST MATERIAL SYSTEM INC.
FRENCH IMPLEMENT CO. INC.
THURMAN
ELLIS
LARRY TAYLOR TRUCKING
BILLY THOMAS
NANCY GAMBLE
JACKSON TRUCKING
JIM HENDERSON TRUCKING
LARRY THOMAS
BIG LAKE TRANSPORT INC.
STEPHENSON TRUCKING
MID VALLEY IRRIGATION, INC.
CARYLE
OWENS
GENE CADE
DONNIE THOMAS
ROBERT ELLIOTT
EUGENE HALE
DARRELL ABNER

NUMEROUS OTHER CARRIERS

Southeast Missouri State University Gape Girardeau, MO (30 miles)
Enrollment - 8,800
Highest Degree Conferred -Doctorate

Three Rivers Community Junior College Poplar Bluff, MO (70 miles)
Enrollment -1,885

Sikeston Area Higher Education Center
Sikeston, MO. (25 miles)

Murray State University Murray, KY. (70 miles)

Shawnee Community College Ullin, Il. (42 miles)

Paducah Community College Paducah, Ky. (50 miles)
 
 

St. Henry's Catholic Church (Elementary)
    70 Students, 7 Teachers

First Baptist Church of Bertrand (Elementary)
    2 Students, 4 Teachers

Victory Baptist Church East Prairie (Elementary)
    20 Students, 2 Teachers
 
 

Charleston 6
East Prairie 4

Wyatt, East Prairie, Pinhook and DAEOC

Both Public School Districts also have classes for
three and four year old children.

Charleston Reorganized School District No.1

Accreditations:
State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Current Statistics: AAA Rating

Charleston's Enrollment:

Kindergarten: 107
Elementary: 583
Middle: 372 Sr.
High: 411

Public School Teachers:

117 Full Time
5 Part Time

East Prairie Reorganized School District No.2

East Prairie's Enrollment:

Kindergarten: 90
Elementary: 293
Middle: 291 Jr.
High: 238
Sr. High: 370

Public School Teachers:

107 Certificated Teachers
57 Full Time Non Certified
15 Part Time Non-Cerlified

Vocational Schools:

FOUR AVAILABLE
High Schools and
NEW MADRID VO-TECH
SIKESTON VO-TECH

Public Swimming Pools: 2
Public Tennis Courts: 9
Public Parks: 13, including 2 fishing ponds/lakes
Public Golf Courses: 1 (County)
Handball/Racquetball Courts: O
Country Clubs: 1 Private (County)

Nearest Public Access to River: 7 miles
Swimming? no
Fishing? yes
Motor boating? yes
Water Skiing? yes
Camping? yes
Hiking/Fitness Trails? yes

Other Recreation:

100 ACRE PUBLIC FISHING LAKE (One mile north of City)
BIG OAK TREE STATE PARK
TOWOSAHGY STATE HISTORIC SITE
DORENA-HICKMAN FERRY
BATTLE OF BELMONT SITE
10 MILE POND CONSERVATION AREA
NO. 7 ISLAND CONSERVATION AREA
DONALDSON POINT STATE FOREST
34 CORNER BLUE HOLE

Hotels and Motels: 3
Guest Houses: 2
Public Libraries: 2

Charleston:

Municipal Water? yes

Water Supplier: CITY OF CHARLESTON (573) 683-3325

Water Plant Capacity: 2.1 mgd

Sewage Plant Type: LAGOON

Sewage Service Supplier: CITY OF CHARLESTON (573) 683-3325

Waste Water Treatment Plant Capacity: 1.6 mgd

Natural Gas Service? yes

New Gas Hookups Available? yes

Natural Gas Supplier: ASSOCIATED NATURAL GAS (573) 683-3768

LP Gas Distributor: SUTHERlAND OIL COMPANY (573) 683-6573

Private Electricity Supplier? yes

Electric Company: UNION ELECTRIC (573) 683-6288
 

East Prairie:

Municipal Water? yes

Water Supplier: CITY OF EAST PRAIRIE (573) 649-3057

Water Plant Capacity: 1.1 million gallons

Sewage Plant Type: TWO CELL AERATED LAGOON

Sewage Service Supplier: CITY OF EAST PRAIRIE (573) 649-3057

Water Treatment Plant Capacity: 600 thousand gallons

Natural Gas Service? yes

New Gas Hookups Available? yes

Natural Gas Supplier: ASSOCIATED NATURAL GAS (573) 683-3768

Oil Distributor: MFA OIL CO (573) 649-3516

LP Gas Distributor: MFA PROPANE INC (573) 649-2201

Private Electricity Supplier? yes

Electric Company: UNION ELECTRIC (573) 651-5642

Coldest Month: JANUARY
Average High: 42° F
Average Low: 24° F

Hottest Month: JULY
Average High: 89° F
Average Low: 69° F

Driest Month: OCTOBER
Average Precipitation: 2.6 inches

Wettest Month: MARCH
Average Precipitation: 4.9 inches
Annual Average Rain: 46.9 inches
Annual Average Snow: 8.0 inches

Employer: GATES RUBBER CO.
Employees: 450
Product: RUBBER HOSES

SOUTHEAST CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
New state prison construction completed in late 2001.
Employer: STATE OF MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Employees: 439

Employer: UNION ELECTRIC Employees: 18
Product: ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTORS

Employer STANLEY MUFFLER
Employees 32
Product MUFFLERS, TRACTORS, EQUIPMENT

Employer CHARLESTON R-1 SCHOOL DIST
Employees 202
Product PUBLIC EDUCATION

Employer EAST PRAIRIE R-2 SCHOOL DIST
Employees 160
Product PUBliC EDUCATION

Employer REEVES BOOMLAND
Employees 80
Product: TOURIST SERVICES

Employer FITZGERALD MARINE
Employees 81
Product: BARGE FLEETING SERVICES

Employer CHARLESTON INN
Employees 33
Product: MOTEL/RESTAURANT

CHURCHES
Protestant: 39
Catholic:     1

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Banks: 3
Savings & Loan Associations: 1
 
 

MEDICAL

HOSPITALS:

Name: Missouri Delta Medical Center
Beds:  138
Location: Sikeston

Name:
Location: 1200 E. Marshall, Charleston

Name: St. Francis Medical Center
Beds: 260
Location: Cape Girardeau

Name: Southeast Missouri Hospital
Beds: 201 Cape Girardeau

Agencies which provide local 24 hour emergency medical mobile services:

Mississippi County Ambulance Service
Supported by county property tax as well as charges for services.

Agencies which provide local 24 Hour emergency Medical air helicopter services:
St. Francis Medical Center
Southeast Missouri Hospital

9-1-1 Emergency calling is available throughout Mississippi County

CLINICS:

Mississippi County Health Department
1200 E. Marshall, Charleston

with a satellite office in
East Prairie

Ferguson Medical Group
East Prairie

Physicians: 6.5
Dentists: 3
Eye Doctors: 1
Nursing Homes: 3

Other:
Visiting Nurses Association of Southeast Missouri
Walker and Associates in-home-health services

OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES:

Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center
Missouri Baptist Children's Home
Domestic Violence Shelter
Sheltered Workshop (Sikeston, Supported by Mississippi County Properly Tax)
R.S.V.P. Senior Citizens' Nutrition Centers: 2
Mississippi County Rescue Squad

RELATED LINKS:

Political History of Mississippi County, find out where all the Mississippi County politicians are buried.

MOGen Web- find your ancestors that lived in Mississippi County along with many other interesting facts.

 Missouri Department of Natural Resources

 Missouri Department of Conservation

 Missouri Tourism

 Missouri Municipal League