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Phelps County, Missouri

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Phelps County is a county in the central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 44,638. The largest city and county seat is Rolla.[1] The county was organized on November 13, 1857, and was named for U.S. Representative and Governor of Missouri John Smith Phelps.[2]

Phelps County
County
New Phelps County courthouse in Rolla
New Phelps County courthouse in Rolla
Map of Missouri highlighting Phelps County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°53′N 91°47′W / 37.88°N 91.79°W / 37.88; -91.79
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedNovember 13, 1857
Named forJohn S. Phelps
SeatRolla
Largest cityRolla
Area
 • Total674 sq mi (1,750 km2)
 • Land672 sq mi (1,740 km2)
 • Water2.5 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total44,638
 • Density66/sq mi (26/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.phelpscounty.org
Old county courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the mean center of U.S. population in 2000 fell within Phelps County.[3]

Phelps County comprises the Rolla, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area. Much of the county is included within the Ozark Highlands American Viticultural Area (AVA). Vineyards and wineries were first established in the county by Italian immigrants in Rolla. Since the 1960s, winemakers have revived and created numerous vineyards in Missouri and won national and international tasting awards.[4]

The first Phelps County Court convened on November 25, 1857, in the John Dillon cabin.[5] The historic courthouse was begun in mid-summer of 1860, used as a Union hospital during the American Civil War and served as the courthouse until February 1994, when all county offices were relocated into the new Phelps County Courthouse, which was dedicated on May 22.[6]

History

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Settlers of European descent established farms along the riverbanks in this area in 1818–1819.[7]

One year later, Lieutenant James Abert started the first railroad reconnaissance survey in Rolla. Abert was later to become the first professor of Civil Engineering at the Missouri School of Mines. The founder of Rolla, Edmund Ward Bishop, was originally a railroad construction contractor in New York. He came to this part of the country in 1853, tasked with building the “Frisco Branch of the Southwest Railroad.”[8]

Because of an urgent demand, Phelps County was created by legislative action on November 13, 1857, from portions of Pulaski, Maries and Crawford counties.[9] A special commission was appointed to select a county seat, with instructions to locate the site on the mail line of the railroad as near as possible to the county's center. Bishop then offered a tract of some 50 acres (200,000 m2) for the official town site, and it was accepted. There was disagreement over the site - the "westerners" wanted Rolla, and the "easterners" wanted Dillon, so the General Assembly did not legally declare Rolla to be the official county seat until 1861. The 600-strong group that favored Dillon signed a protest citing the fact that only two of the three commission members had met to consider the possible sites for the county seat. They contested the decision all the way through the Missouri Supreme Court. Before the high court could make a decision, however, the Legislature took action on January 14, 1860, confirming the location of the county seat at Rolla. Smarting under a considerable amount of criticism concerning the matter, all members of the county court resigned during April 1858, but later withdrew their resignations. It was finally settled in favor of Rolla.

Rolla was officially surveyed, laid out and named in 1858. Bishop wanted to call it Phelps Center, since his house was the center of the county. John Webber preferred the name "Hardscrabble" for obvious reasons. George Coppedge, another original settler, and formerly of North Carolina, favored "Raleigh" after his hometown. The others agreed with Coppedge on the condition that it shouldn't have "that silly spelling, but should be spelled 'Rolla'. The county seat locating commission designated the area now known as Rolla to be the county seat.[10]

The town of Rolla did not exist when the county was officially created (November 1857); only the houses of J. Stever and John Webber were located in the area.[11] Early court business included the location and opening of roads from the county seat to various places within the state, including St. Louis, Springfield, Jefferson City, Lake Spring, and Salem. It is in this last road order, dated in July 1858, that the use of the name Rolla first appears in the court records. The name was used earlier, in May 1858, in a deed of railroad land to the county.

On April 26, 1859, the county court ordered the 50 acres (200,000 m2) donated by Mr. Bishop for the site of the county seat to be surveyed. The survey was conducted by A.E. Buchanan, a young railroad surveyor. Buchanan delivered his plat to the county court on May 31, 1859.

Civil War

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The railroad ran its first train on December 22, 1860, making Rolla the terminus of the road. Until the continuation of the Frisco, all goods were loaded on wagons and transported to Springfield and south and west on what is now U.S. Highway 66 (Interstate 44). During the American Civil War, Rolla was an important military post, hosting up to 20,000 Union troops. The Phelps County Court House was transformed into a hospital during the war.

In April 1861, Fort Sumter was fired upon and a decision was made to support the South. On May 10, the Circuit Court session saw a heated debate of secession, which caused a breakup of the proceedings. As the story goes, Circuit Court Judge James McBride soon departed to assume command as a Confederate general under Sterling Price. Outside the courthouse, a group of men drew down the United States flag and raised a Confederate flag, which had been hastily pieced together by the women of Rolla. The tension was thick when the group then moved to the newspaper office of Charles Walder, a Union supporter and editor of the Rolla Express. Walder was forced to close his shop and cease printing. Southern sympathizers patrolled the town day and night, often ordering Union sympathizers to leave town.

On June 14 of that year, General Franz Sigel arrived by train with his 3rd Missouri Infantry and took over the town. From that day until the close of the war, Rolla was in Union hands.

The 13th Illinois Infantry Regiment, under Colonel John B. Wyman, was brought in to guard Rolla and the Pacific Railroad's terminal. It was this regiment that did the basic planning and building of Fort Wyman, although other regiments completed it. President Abraham Lincoln’s personal order was that Rolla should be held at all costs. Being situated at the terminus of the railroad, military wagon trains went out from Rolla to all Union armies stationed southwest in Arkansas, Hartville, and Springfield and northwest to the Linn Creek area, now known as Lake of the Ozarks.

After General Price's defeat at Pea Ridge in March 1862, several troops that were organized by Governor Jackson returned home. Confederate sympathizers, unwilling to profess their loyalty and support to the Union after the battle, were treated harshly. One example is the shooting of former Presiding Justice Lewis F. Wright and four of his sons in 1864, after being taken from their homes for "questioning."

Rolla was an important site during the Civil War because the southwest branch of the Pacific Railroad ended here. Thousands of Union troops and their supplies came to Rolla by train from St. Louis and then were transferred to wagon trails to go to the battles of Wilson Creek in Springfield and Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove in Arkansas, plus a number of other smaller skirmishes. The railroad had arrived in Rolla in 1860 but the outbreak of the war halted the westward expansion of the line.

The town of about 600 civilians had a large population of Union troops at that time. Since the Union forces seized control of the town early in the war, they had a big impact upon the town and its operation.

The town was a busy place for the visitor. In 1860 sugar sold for 10 cents a pound, tobacco for 30 cents a pound. Whiskey went for 25 cents a gallon. City lots sold for $25 per lot. The Courthouse was used as a hay storage barn and later as a hospital for wounded soldiers. After the commanding general of the Union Forces, General Nathaniel Lyon, was killed at the Wilson's Creek battle near Springfield, his body was brought to Rolla to be transported back East for burial. Old town Rolla was located along Main Street near the Courthouse. The business district moved to Pine Street in the late 19th century.

Following the Union defeat at Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861, the Union Army fell back to Rolla and began building an earthen fort on a hill alongside present Highway 63 about a mile from the Courthouse. The rectangular fort had a dry moat around the perimeter with 32-pound field pieces located on each corner of the fort to cover any attack on Rolla from the south. It was named Fort Wyman after Colonel John B. Wyman. Fort Dette was a more detailed fort that was constructed in 1863 on what is now the campus of Missouri University of Science and Technology. It was constructed in a cross shape with positions for both 24-pound cannons and ports for individual rifle fire.

University

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The Morrill Land-Grant College Act was approved by the U.S. Congress in 1862, and in 1863 the Missouri Legislature accepted this opportunity to set up a new type of higher education within the state. The act specified that the "leading object shall be without excluding other scientific and classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and mechanics arts...in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits of professions of life."

The Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy was founded in 1870 because the area was rich in minerals and because the geographic location was good. Phelps County bid $130,545, including lands and bonds, and was awarded the prize. Today it is named Missouri University of Science and Technology or Missouri S&T and is known as one of the finest engineering schools in the world. Not confined to mining and metallurgy, it confers bachelor's degrees in 23 fields of engineering and science, as well as graduate degrees in 28 fields of engineering and science.

Other towns

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Other towns within the county included Newburg, incorporated in 1888, and St. James, incorporated in 1869. Arlington and Jerome were both incorporated in 1867, but neither is incorporated at this time. Doolittle, the last of Phelps County's towns to be formed, was incorporated on July 2, 1944. Other Phelps County communities include Edgar Springs which was incorporated during the 1970s.

Geography

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According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 674 square miles (1,750 km2), of which 672 square miles (1,740 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2) (0.4%) is water.[12]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Other geographical features

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18605,714—
187010,50683.9%
188012,56819.6%
189012,6360.5%
190014,19412.3%
191015,79611.3%
192014,941−5.4%
193015,3082.5%
194017,43713.9%
195021,50423.3%
196025,39618.1%
197029,48116.1%
198033,63314.1%
199035,2484.8%
200039,82513.0%
201045,15613.4%
202044,638−1.1%
US Decennial Census[15]
1790-1960[16] 1900-1990[17]
1990-2000[18] 2010-2020[19]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[20] there were 39,825 people, 15,683 households, and 10,240 families in the county. The population density was 59 people per square mile (23 people/km2). There were 17,501 housing units at an average density of 26 units per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.24% White, 1.50% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 2.35% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Approximately 1.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 15,683 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.70% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.92.

The county population contained 23.70% under the age of 18, 14.50% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 103.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,243, and the median income for a family was $49,343. Males had a median income of $29,428 versus $19,893 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,275. About 11.30% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.00% of those under age 18 and 13.00% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

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According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Phelps County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Phelps County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (38.24%), Roman Catholics (11.43%), and Christian Churches & Churches of Christ (10.75%). The several smaller but often growing denominations, including Assemblies of God 5.5%, the United Methodist Church 5.0%, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 4.8%, The Lutheran Church Missouri synod 4.2%, Church of God (Anderson Indiana) 3.2%, Church of the Nazarene 1.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, Episcopal Church 1.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.9% and the Orthodox Church america 0.8%.[21]

2020 Census

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Phelps County Racial Composition[22]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 37,941 85%
Black or African American (NH) 1,028 2.3%
Native American (NH) 231 0.52%
Asian (NH) 1,506 3.37%
Pacific Islander (NH) 20 0.04%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,653 6%
Hispanic or Latino 1,259 2.82%

Education

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Of adults 25 years of age and older in Phelps County, 79.0% possess a high school diploma or higher while 21.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.

Public schools

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  • Newburg R-II School District - Newburg
    • Newburg Elementary School (K-06)
    • Newburg High School (07-12)
  • Phelps County R-III School District - Edgar Springs
    • Phelps County Elementary School (K-08)
  • Rolla School District 31 - Rolla
    • Colonel John B. Wyman Elementary School (Pre K-03)
    • Harry S. Truman Elementary School (Pre K-03)
    • Mark Twain Elementary School (Pre K-03)
    • Rolla Middle School (04-06)
    • Rolla Junior High School (07-08)
    • Rolla High School (09-12)
  • St. James R-I School District - St. James
    • Lucy Wortham Elementary School (K-05)
    • St. James Middle School (06-08)
    • St. James High School (09-12)

Private schools

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Alternative & vocational schools

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  • B.W. Robinson State School - Rolla - (K-12) - Special Education
  • Rolla Technical Center - Rolla - (11-12) - Vocational/Technical
  • Rolla Technical Institute High School - Rolla - (09-12) - Vocational/Technical

Colleges & universities

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Public libraries

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  • James Memorial Library[23]
  • Newburg Public Library[24]
  • Rolla Public Library[25]

Communities

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Cities and Towns

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Unincorporated Communities

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Politics

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Local

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Up until recently, both the Republican and Democratic parties equally controlled politics at the local level in Phelps County. Currently, the Republican party holds all of the elected positions in the county, with the exception of one unknown party preference.[26][27]

Phelps County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Tim Kean Republican
Circuit Clerk Marlaina Wallace Republican
County Clerk Laura Johnson Republican
Collector Faith Ann Barnes Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Joey Auxier Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Sherry Stites Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Gary Hicks Republican
Coroner Ernie Coverdell Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Brendon Fox Republican
Public Administrator Dana Sooter Republican
Recorder Robin Kordes Republican
Sheriff Michael Kirn Unknown
Surveyor Terris Cates Republican
Treasurer Cathy Tipton Republican

State

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Phelps County is divided into four legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which are held by Republicans.

  • District 62 — Currently is represented by Bruce Sassmann (R-Bland) and consists of the north-central part of the county.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Phelps County (2020)[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bruce Sassmann 1,780 79.29%
Democratic Nancy Ragan 464 20.71%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Phelps County (2018)[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tom Hurst 1,428 77.44%
Democratic Ashley Fajowski 416 22.56%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Phelps County (2016)[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tom Hurst 1,873 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Phelps County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tom Hurst 1,093 100.00% +41.33
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Phelps County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tom Hurst 1,205 58.67%
Democratic Greg Stratman 849 42.33%
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 68.74% 13,408 28.80% 5,621 2.46% 497
2016 62.51% 11,633 33.14% 6,168 4.35% 809
2012 51.23% 9,282 45.65% 8,271 3.12% 565
2008 43.33% 8,485 53.28% 10,226 3.39% 481
2004 59.09% 10,970 39.54% 7,341 1.37% 254
2000 51.59% 8,280 45.77% 7,345 2.64% 424
1996 34.97% 5,342 62.55% 9,555 2.49% 380
1992 40.41% 6,687 59.59% 9,860 0.00% 0
1988 67.69% 9,610 31.26% 4,438 1.05% 149
1984 63.88% 8,897 36.12% 5,031 0.00% 0
1980 56.98% 7,701 42.58% 5,755 0.44% 60
1976 50.67% 6,307 49.25% 6,131 0.08% 10
  • District 120 — Currently is represented by Jason Chipman (R- Steelville) and consists of the eastern part of the county, including St. James.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Phelps County (2020)[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason Chipman 4,700 75.73%
Democratic Theresa Scmitt 1,505 24.27%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Phelps County (2018)[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason Chipman 3,740 72.21%
Democratic Theresa Scmitt 1,431 27.63%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Phelps County (2016)[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason Chipman 5,254 100.00% +28.77
Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Phelps County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason Chipman 2,553 71.23% +1.65
Democratic Zechariah Hockersmith 1,031 28.77% −1.65
Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Phelps County — Special Election (2013)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Shawn Sisco 1,713 69.58% −30.42
Democratic Zechariah Hockersmith 749 30.42% +30.42
Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Phelps County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 4,860 100.00%
  • District 121 — Currently is represented by Don Mayhew (R-Crocker) and consists of the communities of Doolittle, Jerome, Newburg, and Rolla.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 121 — Phelps County (2020)[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Don Mayhew 7,984 96.26%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 121 — Phelps County (2018)[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Don Mayhew 4,987 63.50%
Democratic Matt Heltz 2,845 36.23%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 121 — Phelps County (2016)[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Keith Frederick 7,690 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 121 — Phelps County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Keith Frederick 4,075 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 121 — Phelps County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Keith Frederick 7,546 100.00%
  • District 142 — Currently is represented by Bennie Cook (R-Houston) and consists of the southeastern part of the county, including the communities of Beulah, Duke, and Edgar Springs.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 142 — Phelps County (2020)[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bennie Cook 896 98.35%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 142 — Phelps County (2018)[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ross 760 98.32%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 142 — Phelps County (2016)[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ross 716 75.77% −24.23
Democratic Bobby Johnston, Jr. 229 24.23% +24.23
Missouri House of Representatives — District 142 — Phelps County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ross 460 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 142 — Phelps County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ross 792 100.00%

All of Phelps County is a part of Missouri's 16th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Dan Brown (R-Rolla).

Missouri Senate — District 16 — Phelps County (2018)[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Brown 10,025 62.78%
Democratic Ryan Dillon 5,908 37.00%
Missouri Senate — District 16 — Phelps County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Brown 9,043 100.00%

Federal

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United States presidential election results for Phelps County, Missouri[29]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 13,480 68.77% 5,637 28.76% 484 2.47%
2016 12,709 67.92% 4,766 25.47% 1,238 6.62%
2012 11,895 65.05% 5,798 31.71% 593 3.24%
2008 11,706 59.96% 7,394 37.87% 424 2.17%
2004 11,874 63.50% 6,666 35.65% 160 0.86%
2000 9,444 58.49% 6,262 38.78% 440 2.73%
1996 6,990 45.70% 6,405 41.87% 1,902 12.43%
1992 6,040 36.08% 6,852 40.93% 3,847 22.98%
1988 8,329 58.44% 5,867 41.16% 57 0.40%
1984 9,012 63.98% 5,074 36.02% 0 0.00%
1980 7,366 54.30% 5,470 40.32% 730 5.38%
1976 6,153 49.18% 6,261 50.04% 98 0.78%
1972 7,598 68.05% 3,567 31.95% 0 0.00%
1968 5,577 47.33% 4,211 35.74% 1,995 16.93%
1964 3,755 39.40% 5,776 60.60% 0 0.00%
1960 5,663 55.31% 4,576 44.69% 0 0.00%
1956 4,773 50.06% 4,761 49.94% 0 0.00%
1952 4,694 49.13% 4,846 50.72% 14 0.15%
1948 3,053 36.89% 5,202 62.85% 22 0.27%
1944 3,180 42.69% 4,256 57.14% 13 0.17%
1940 3,319 40.90% 4,780 58.91% 15 0.18%
1936 2,690 36.44% 4,658 63.11% 33 0.45%
1932 1,794 26.70% 4,858 72.29% 68 1.01%
1928 2,967 50.51% 2,896 49.30% 11 0.19%
1924 2,085 37.91% 2,918 53.05% 497 9.04%
1920 2,692 52.25% 2,422 47.01% 38 0.74%
1916 1,487 43.44% 1,887 55.13% 49 1.43%
1912 782 27.77% 1,565 55.58% 469 16.65%
1908 1,520 45.00% 1,804 53.40% 54 1.60%
1904 1,371 47.46% 1,384 47.91% 134 4.64%
1900 1,153 40.64% 1,603 56.50% 81 2.86%
1896 1,038 36.19% 1,816 63.32% 14 0.49%
1892 883 37.01% 1,287 53.94% 216 9.05%
1888 685 31.34% 1,183 54.12% 318 14.55%
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Phelps County (2018)[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Josh Hawley 10,124 62.92%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 5,363 33.33%
Libertarian Japheth Campbell 255 1.58%
Independent Craig O'Dear 242 1.50%
Green Jo Crain 88 0.55%
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Phelps County (2016)[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 11,063 59.70% +11.94
Democratic Jason Kander 6,576 35.48% −9.79
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 533 2.88% −4.09
Green Johnathan Dine 193 1.04% +1.04
Constitution Fred Ryman 167 0.90% +0.90
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Phelps County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 8,579 47.76%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 8,133 45.27%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 1,252 6.97%

Phelps County is included in Missouri's 8th Congressional District and is currently represented by Jason T. Smith (R-Salem) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to finish the remaining term of U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-Cape Girardeau). Emerson announced her resignation a month after being reelected with over 70 percent of the vote in the district. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Phelps County (2020)[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 13,591 70.23%
Democratic Kathy Ellis 5,302 27.42%
Libertarian Tom Schmitz 456 2.35%
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Phelps County (2018)[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 10,977 68.59%
Democratic Kathy Ellis 4,716 29.47%
Libertarian Jonathan Shell 302 1.89%
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Phelps County (2016)[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 13,288 72.59% +2.29
Democratic Dave Cowell 4,453 24.33% −0.27
Libertarian Jonathan Shell 564 3.08% +1.26
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Phelps County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 7,387 70.30% −3.69
Democratic Barbara Stocker 2,585 24.60% +0.08
Libertarian Rick Vandeven 191 1.82% +0.79
Constitution Doug Enyart 133 1.27% +0.81
Independent Terry Hampton 212 2.02% +2.02
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Phelps County (Special Election 2013)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 3,084 73.99% +0.40
Democratic Steve Hodges 1,022 24.52% +1.59
Libertarian Bill Slantz 43 1.03% −2.45
Constitution Doug Enyart 19 0.46% +0.46
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Phelps County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jo Ann Emerson 13,142 73.59%
Democratic Jack Rushin 4,095 22.93%
Libertarian Rick Vandeven 622 3.48%

Political culture

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At the presidential level, Phelps County is a fairly Republican-leaning county. George W. Bush easily carried Phelps County in 2000 and 2004. Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Phelps County in 1992, and like many of the rural counties throughout Missouri, Phelps County favored John McCain over Barack Obama in 2008. It moved even further to the Right when it voted at record numbers for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. Trump received the most votes any candidate ever has, in Phelps county—for President—in 2020, and took 68% of the vote.

Like most rural areas throughout central Missouri, voters in Phelps County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Phelps County with 77.94 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in Phelps County with 52.25 percent voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. Despite Phelps County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes like increasing the minimum wage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Phelps County with 69.42 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.

See also

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37°53′N 91°47′W / 37.88°N 91.79°W / 37.88; -91.79

References

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  1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. ^ "History". Phelps County. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "Mean Center of Population for the United States: 1790 to 2010" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  4. ^ Cattell, Hudson (December 24, 2013). Wines of Eastern North America: From Prohibition to the Present—A History and Desk Reference. Cornell University Press. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-8014-6900-8.
  5. ^ "History". Phelps County. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  6. ^ Missouri State Parks National Register of Historic Places NPS Form 10-900[1]
  7. ^ "Ozarks Civil War | Counties". Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  8. ^ "Abert Expedition | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture". Oklahoma Historical Society | OHS. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  9. ^ "A Directory of Towns, Villages, and Hamlets of Missouri". thelibrary.org. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  10. ^ Insider, The (August 3, 2022). "This story of the naming of Rolla makes The Insider howl like a houn'". phelpscountyfocus.com. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  11. ^ "The Story of Rolla, Volume 1 by Missouri S&T Library and Learning Resources | Curtis Laws Wilson Library - Issuu". issuu.com. November 9, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  12. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  13. ^ "Expedition Slaughter Sink: Journeying to the bottom of Missouri's deepest sinkhole".
  14. ^ Located at N37.88372/W92.01915, 0.4 mile S of Powellville
  15. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  17. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  18. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  19. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  20. ^ "US Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  21. ^ "Most popular religious groups in Phelps County, MO".
  22. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Phelps County, Missouri".
  23. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "James Memorial Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  24. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Newburg Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  25. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Rolla Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  26. ^ a b c d e f "2020 Phelps County Election Results" (PDF). Phelps County Clerk. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 25, 2021.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h "2018 Phelps County Election Results" (PDF). Phelps County Clerk.
  28. ^ a b c d e f "County Results - State of Missouri - 2016 General Election - November 8, 2016 - Official Results". Missouri Secretary of State. December 12, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  29. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.

Further reading

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  • History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps, and Dent counties, Missouri (1889) full text
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