Puxico, Missouri

Puxico is a city in western Stoddard County, Missouri. It is the fifth-largest incorporated community in the county, with a population of 881 at the 2010 Census.

History

Puxico is said to derive its name from a local Shawnee Indian chieftain named Pucksicah, whose tribe was prominent during the 19th century in the western part of what became Stoddard County, and who was very friendly to the arriving American settlers.

Settlement of the area came in the early 1880s, as a railroad was extended through the area from Cape Girardeau to Poplar Bluff. The town of Puxico was laid out in 1883 and officially incorporated on June 2, 1884. Thanks to the presence of the railroad and the uncut forests nearby, the community grew rapidly; a local historian described it in 1912 as having a population of 814, a bank, a newspaper (the Puxico Index), three churches, four general stores, a flour mill, a canning factory, and even an opera house.

Economic activity in Puxico declined somewhat after the railroad ceased operations in the 1930s. Its population has also fluctuated, currently down from its 2000 level; however, the population of the overall region has remained steady thanks to movement to nearby Lake Wappapello, and this has shored up the position of the town considerably.

Geography

Puxico is located near the western edge of Stoddard County, about 15 miles northwest of Dexter. It is just south of Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, a large wetland area in Stoddard and Wayne Counties, and a few miles east of Lake Wappapello. Missouri State Highway 51 is the main highway running through the region.

The city has a total area of 0.68 square miles, and an average elevation of 374 feet.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, Puxico had a total population of 881 people, with a population density of 1,315 people per square mile. 97.0% of the residents were White, 0.1% were African-American, 1.1% were Native American, 0.1% were Asian, 0.1% were Pacific Islander, and 1.5% were from two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 1.5% of the population.

The sex ratio in the city was 46.2% male, 53.8% female. The median age was 40.6 years, with 24% of the population under the age of 18, 8.4% between 18 and 24 years old, 21.8% between 25 and 44 years old, 22.9% between 45 and 64 years old, and 22.9% 65 years old or older.

In 2017, the median household income was $40,583 with a median family income of $51,563. Men had a median income of $36,071 versus $32,273 for women. The per capita income for the city was $18,616. About 8.9% of families and 17.3% of the population was below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under 18 years old and 13.0% of those 65 years old or older.

Education

Public school students in the town and surrounding area are served by the Puxico R-VIII School District, a PK-12 system which takes in most of northwestern Stoddard County (and a small portion of Wayne County). At present it has a total enrollment of about 750 students. Its mascot is the Indians, and its colors are orange, black, and white.

Local Attractions

• Berry-Glenn Historical Museum: Located in the old Puxico railway depot, the museum contains many items from the town's early days, including school memorabilia, antique farm implements, and children's toys. Art and photography shows are usually held during the summer.

• Indian Hills Winery: Located off Highway 51 just north of Puxico, the winery was established in 2005 and has around 1,000 vines for both red and white wines. Music and other entertainment is frequently offered.

• Mingo National Wildlife Refuge: Created in 1944 under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is a great swamp (part of an old channel of the Mississippi River) that provides a home for a variety of waterfowl and other migratory birds, along with much local flora and fauna. A visitor center and several hiking trails are included within the grounds.

• VFW Homecoming: Usually held the second week in August, Homecoming has been a yearly event since 1947 and lasts for several days, including a parade, beauty pageants, square dancing, carnival rides, a quilt show, a "Church Night," and much else. A particular point of local pride is the cooking and serving of "goatburgers."