Amite City ( or ; commonly just Amite) is a town in
Tangipahoa Parish
Tangipahoa Parish (; French: ''Paroisse de Tangipahoa'') is a parish located in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 121,097. The parish seat is Amite City, while the largest city is ...
, of which it is the
parish seat
A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US st ...
, in southeastern
Louisiana
Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is borde ...
, United States.
The population was 4,141 at the
2010 census. It is part of the
Hammond Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The original settlement was born on the banks of the Tangipahoa River, adjacent to a Choctaw Indian village. Legend has it that the site was chosen when Choctaw Chief Baptiste welcomed the earliest settlers. Baptiste was the last Choctaw chief in the region. "Amite" has been said to be a Choctaw word for "red ant", signifying "thrift" or to have meant "friendship", from the French, "amitié."
Portions of present-day Amite City were entered from the United States as early as 1813.
In 1852 the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad was chartered in both Louisiana and Mississippi. Two years later, the railroad was opened from New Orleans to the state line. Amite City was chosen as the practical stopping point as it was halfway between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi state line.
Amite City was chartered in 1855. The town was laid out, lots were sold and the community quickly began to grow. The Hotel Ponder at the "Amite Station" became a popular spot among travelers for dining and relaxing. In addition to becoming a major commercial center for a large region, Amite Station also became a popular resort in the late 1850s. Many prosperous New Orleans residents established country retreats in the region to enjoy the natural beauty and escape unhealthy conditions in the city. This trend intensified as the scourge of yellow fever continued to plague New Orleans in the mid 19th century.
On March 7, 1861, Amite City was incorporated as a town, just months after the secession of Louisiana from the Union. During the war, Amite City served as an important gathering spot for Confederate officials involved in the supply and support of
Camp Moore, the largest Confederate training base in Louisiana, just 10 miles to the north. Amite endured at least two visits by Union cavalry. In 1864 a brigade of Union infantry burned the railroad depot and destroyed the track from the depot to Camp Moore.
After the war, Amite City served as the base for Union troops occupying the region during Reconstruction.
With the establishment of a new parish in 1869, soon to be named Tangipahoa, Amite City was selected as the parish seat. Five different buildings have served as the courthouse since 1870.
From the early 1870s through the first decade of the 20th century, Amite City played a central role in the troubles that unfortunately gained the parish the ominous name "Bloody Tangipahoa." The turbulent political and economic conditions of the Reconstruction period and its aftermath sparked a number of vicious family feuds. Numerous duels and "bushwhacking" occurred in the streets of Amite City and the countryside. By the early 20th century, improved law enforcement brought peace and better harmony to the area.
Amite City continued to grow as a trading center for cotton planters and others. In 1869, the Gullet Gin Company opened in Amite City. The company was the largest producer of cotton gins in the south, employing over 250 people by the early 20th century. During World War II, the plant converted to war industry production, manufacturing 150 mm shells. The plant closed in 1963.
In the mid-20th century, family dairy farms began to replace cotton farms. Today, Tangipahoa Parish is the heart of Louisiana's dairy industry and is the number one producer of strawberries in the state. Amite City is also a major oyster processing center and home of the Oyster Festival.
Geography
Amite City is located at (30.728718, -90.508519).
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the town has a total area of , of which is land and (0.52%) is water.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the
2020 United States census
The United States census of 2020 was the twenty-fourth decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census, this was the first U.S. census to of ...
, there were 4,005 people, 1,468 households, and 1,172 families residing in the town.
2010 census
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2010, there were 4,141 people, 1,310 households, and 810 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 1,450 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 43.59%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White o ...
, 54.50%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 0.12%
Native American, 0.56%
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.36% from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 0.87% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 1.50% of the population.
There were 1,310 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were
married couples living together, 26.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,011, and the median income for a family was $33,125. Males had a median income of $30,590 versus $19,063 for females. The
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the town was $14,565. About 23.1% of families and 27.0% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 39.3% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Public -
Tangipahoa Parish School Board
Tangipahoa Parish School Board is a school district headquartered in Amite City, Louisiana, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States.
The district serves Tangipahoa Parish.
Robert L. Frye (1927-2011), the Republican nominee for state educatio ...
operates three public schools in Amite:
*
Amite High Magnet School
Amite High Magnet School is a public high school in Amite City, Louisiana, United States. It is governed by the Tangipahoa Parish School Board.
Haynesville Senior High athletics competes in the LHSAA.
Athletics
Amite High athletics competes in ...
*West Side Middle School
*Amite Elementary School
Private
Oak Forest Academyis a private school for children in Pre-K through 12th grade.
Notable people
*
Rusty Chambers
Russell Francis "Rusty" Chambers (November 10, 1953 – July 1, 1981) was an American football linebacker. He played for the Tulane Green Wave in college and professionally for the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins of the National Football Le ...
, NFL football player
*
John Bel Edwards
John Bel Edwards (born September 16, 1966) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 56th governor of Louisiana since 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the Democratic leader of the Louisiana House of ...
, 56th (and current)
Governor of Louisiana; former Minority Leader of
Louisiana House of Representatives; former District 72 state representative;
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known metonymically as West Point or simply as Army, is a United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort, since it sits on strategic high groun ...
graduate
*
Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Jr.,
Louisiana Attorney General
The office of attorney general of Louisiana (french: Procureur général de la Louisiane) has existed since the colonial period. Under Article IV, Section 8 of the Constitution of Louisiana, the attorney general is elected statewide for a four-ye ...
from 1948 to 1952
*
Bolivar Edwards Kemp, Sr.,
U.S. Representative
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
from 1925 to 1933
*
Kevin Magee,
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appr ...
player who competed professionally in Europe
*
Reggie Porter, football player for
Utah Utes
The Utah Utes are the intercollegiate athletics teams that represent the University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City. The athletic department is named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. The men's basketball team is known as the Runnin' ...
, NFL teams (
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) South division. Since the 2008 ...
,
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team plays it ...
,
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. Named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, they compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference ( ...
)
*
Lloyd Pye, research coordinator of the Starchild Project; author, researcher, and lecturer in the field of alternative knowledge
*
Billy Reid, fashion designer
*
Lester Ricard, football player for the
Tulane Green Wave
The Tulane Green Wave are the athletic teams that represent Tulane University, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tulane competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the American Athletic Conference (The American). There are 14 Green Wave intercol ...
, who tried out for the NFL's
Jaguars
The jaguar (''Panthera onca'') is a large cat species and the only living member of the genus ''Panthera'' native to the Americas. With a body length of up to and a weight of up to , it is the largest cat species in the Americas and the thi ...
and
Panthers
Panther may refer to:
Large cats
*Pantherinae, the cat subfamily that contains the genera ''Panthera'' and ''Neofelis''
**''Panthera'', the cat genus that contains tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards.
***Jaguar (''Panthera onca''), found in Sout ...
*
DeVonta Smith
DeVonta Smith ( ; born November 14, 1998) is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he recorded over 1,800 yards with 23 touchdowns as a ...
,
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team plays ...
football player and 2020
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy (usually known colloquially as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman) is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard ...
winner
*
Joanne Verger, Oregon legislator and first woman to serve as mayor of
Coos Bay, Oregon
Coos Bay ( Coos language: Atsixiis) is a city located in Coos County, Oregon, United States, where the Coos River enters Coos Bay on the Pacific Ocean. The city borders the city of North Bend, and together they are often referred to as one ent ...
*
Lavelle White
Lillia Lavell "Lavelle" White (born July 3, 1929) is an American Texas blues and soul blues singer and songwriter. After performing most of her adult lifetime, White released three albums, the first of which was issued in 1994, when she was aged ...
("Miss Lavelle"), American Texas blues and soul singer
*
Harry D. Wilson, former state representative and
Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry; interred at Amite Cemetery
*
Karl Wilson
Karl Wendell Wilson (born September 10, 1964) is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for eight different teams. He was drafted by the San Diego Charges in the third round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He pl ...
, NFL football player
See also
*
National Register of Historic Places listings in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
References
External links
*
{{authority control
Parish seats in Louisiana
Towns in Louisiana
Towns in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana