Carthage, Mississippi

Carthage was established in 1834, and became the county seat. The Harris family were early settlers, and named the town after their former home of Carthage, Tennessee. A courthouse and jail were built in 1836, and a post office was established the following year. Carthage was incorporated in 1876. A brick courthouse replaced the previous one in 1877, and was replaced again in 1910.{{cite web | title = City of Carthage - About | publisher = City of Carthage | url = http://www.cityofcarthage.org/html/about.html | access-date = January 1, 2014}}{{cite web | title = National Register of Historic Places Registration Form | publisher = Mississippi Department of Archives and History | date = July 25, 2012 | url = http://www.apps.mdah.ms.gov/nom/dist/230.pdf}} The present courthouse was designed by E. L. Malvaney and completed in 1939.{{cite web | url=http://www.courthouses.co/us-states/m/mississippi/leake-county/ | title=Leake County | US Courthouses }} The Carthaginian newspaper was established in 1872, and remains in publication today.

By 1900, agriculture was the primary industry in Leake County. The Pearl River, located {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of Carthage, was used to ship goods by steamboat to and from Jackson, the state capital . Although a railroad eventually ran through Carthage, it did not play a significant role in the development of the town. In 1914, the Merrill Brothers Logging Company built a logging railroad from Canton to McAfee, passing through Carthage. The line was taken over in 1927 by the Canton and Carthage Railroad, which then established commercial service to Carthage. The railroad was abandoned in 1960.{{cite web | last = Howe | first = Tony | title = Canton & Carthage Railroad | publisher = Mississippi Rails | url = http://www.msrailroads.com/Canton_Carthage.htm | access-date = January 1, 2014}}

In 1927, Jackson's Daily Clarion Ledger wrote an article entitled "Carthage is a Good Progressive and Enterprising City - Thriving Center of Leake County Holds Modern Benefits". By then, Carthage had schools, churches, an ice plant, two banks, a Masonic Hall, and a Coca-Cola bottling plant.

The population had surpassed 2,000 by 1964, and the town was reclassified as a city.

Carthage Historic District includes the county courthouse, commercial and residential properties of various architectural styles and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Carthage Post Office and Jordan House are individually listed.

When Carthage, Texas established in 1848, it was named after Carthage, Mississippi.{{cite web | last = LaGrone | first = Leila B. | title = CARTHAGE, TX | publisher = Texas State Historical Association | url = http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hfc03 | access-date = January 1, 2014}}

As early as 1948, Carthage began holding an annual "Tri-Racial Goodwill Festival", in which all citizens were included. Although the directors of the first festival separated whites, African Americans and Native Americans, this was corrected in subsequent years. The local newspaper reported that at the 1949 festival, "friendship and goodwill fellowship permeated the air".{{cite book | last = Stuesse | first = Angela Christine | title = Globalization "Southern Style": Transnational Migration, the Poultry Industry, and Implications for Organizing Workers Across Difference | year = 2008 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qXTcWy4p6tkC&pg=PP1| isbn = 9780549764069 }}{{rp|68}}

In 1964, a group known as Americans for the Preservation of the White Race initiated a boycott in Carthage against white-owned businesses that were complying with the Civil Rights Act.{{cite book | last = Irons | first = Jenny | title = Reconstituting Whiteness: The Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission | publisher = Vanderbilt University Press | year = 2010 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0I5mA3Ui6ZQC&pg=PP1| isbn = 9780826516879 }} When members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee tried to open a Freedom School in Carthage, local whites told them their deed was invalid, and threatened to burn the school.{{cite book | last = Hogan | first = Wesley C. | title = Many Minds, One Heart: SNCC's Dream for a New America | publisher = UNC Press | year = 2007 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bim4Cjy6LOIC&pg=PA1950| isbn = 9780807867891 }} In 1967, shots were fired into the home of an NAACP worker in Carthage.{{cite book | last = Altschiller | first = Donald | title = Hate Crimes: A Reference Handbook | publisher = ABC-CLIO | year = 2005 | url = https://archive.org/details/hatecrimesrefere0002alts| url-access = registration | isbn = 9781851096244 }}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|9.4|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|9.4|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi|km2}} (0.53%) is water.

The geographic center of Mississippi is located {{convert|9|mi|abbr=on}} west-northwest of Carthage.

{{Weather box

|location = Carthage, Mississippi, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1955–2015

|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 82

|Feb record high F = 86

|Mar record high F = 89

|Apr record high F = 94

|May record high F = 97

|Jun record high F = 104

|Jul record high F = 104

|Aug record high F = 106

|Sep record high F = 104

|Oct record high F = 95

|Nov record high F = 87

|Dec record high F = 82

|Jan avg record high F = 74.5

|Feb avg record high F = 77.6

|Mar avg record high F = 83.3

|Apr avg record high F = 86.4

|May avg record high F = 90.9

|Jun avg record high F = 95.0

|Jul avg record high F = 97.5

|Aug avg record high F = 97.7

|Sep avg record high F = 94.5

|Oct avg record high F = 89.0

|Nov avg record high F = 82.2

|Dec avg record high F = 75.7

|year avg record high F = 99.0

| Jan high F = 56.8

| Feb high F = 61.2

| Mar high F = 69.1

| Apr high F = 75.8

| May high F = 83.0

| Jun high F = 89.2

| Jul high F = 92.1

| Aug high F = 91.7

| Sep high F = 87.5

| Oct high F = 77.8

| Nov high F = 66.8

| Dec high F = 58.2

|year high F = 75.7

|Jan mean F = 45.1

|Feb mean F = 48.9

|Mar mean F = 56.4

|Apr mean F = 63.4

|May mean F = 71.1

|Jun mean F = 78.3

|Jul mean F = 81.4

|Aug mean F = 80.9

|Sep mean F = 75.8

|Oct mean F = 64.4

|Nov mean F = 53.8

|Dec mean F = 46.7

|year mean F = 63.8

| Jan low F = 33.5

| Feb low F = 36.6

| Mar low F = 43.7

| Apr low F = 51.1

| May low F = 59.2

| Jun low F = 67.3

| Jul low F = 70.7

| Aug low F = 70.1

| Sep low F = 64.1

| Oct low F = 51.1

| Nov low F = 40.8

| Dec low F = 35.1

|year low F = 51.9

|Jan avg record low F = 15.8

|Feb avg record low F = 19.5

|Mar avg record low F = 25.7

|Apr avg record low F = 33.4

|May avg record low F = 44.4

|Jun avg record low F = 54.6

|Jul avg record low F = 61.7

|Aug avg record low F = 60.9

|Sep avg record low F = 46.4

|Oct avg record low F = 32.7

|Nov avg record low F = 25.1

|Dec avg record low F = 18.1

|year avg record low F = 12.2

|Jan record low F = -5

|Feb record low F = -1

|Mar record low F = 13

|Apr record low F = 26

|May record low F = 38

|Jun record low F = 44

|Jul record low F = 51

|Aug record low F = 52

|Sep record low F = 36

|Oct record low F = 26

|Nov record low F = 15

|Dec record low F = 1

|precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 5.71

| Feb precipitation inch = 5.32

| Mar precipitation inch = 5.05

| Apr precipitation inch = 6.31

| May precipitation inch = 4.38

| Jun precipitation inch = 3.92

| Jul precipitation inch = 5.08

| Aug precipitation inch = 4.70

| Sep precipitation inch = 3.80

| Oct precipitation inch = 3.88

| Nov precipitation inch = 4.34

| Dec precipitation inch = 5.32

|year precipitation inch = 57.81

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 9.9

| Feb precipitation days = 8.2

| Mar precipitation days = 7.6

| Apr precipitation days = 7.3

| May precipitation days = 7.7

| Jun precipitation days = 8.3

| Jul precipitation days = 8.8

| Aug precipitation days = 7.5

| Sep precipitation days = 5.8

| Oct precipitation days = 6.1

| Nov precipitation days = 7.0

| Dec precipitation days = 9.5

| year precipitation days = 93.7

|Jan snow inch = 0.1

|Feb snow inch = 0.1

|Mar snow inch = 0.0

|Apr snow inch = 0.0

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.0

|Nov snow inch = 0.0

|Dec snow inch = 0.0

|year snow inch = 0.2

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 0.1

|Feb snow days = 0.1

|Mar snow days = 0.0

|Apr snow days = 0.0

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.0

|Nov snow days = 0.0

|Dec snow days = 0.0

|year snow days = 0.2

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00221489&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Carthage, MS

|access-date = April 30, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010)

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=jan

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Jackson

|access-date = April 30, 2023

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1880= 285

|1890= 322

|1900= 416

|1910= 315

|1920= 635

|1930= 998

|1940= 1766

|1950= 1925

|1960= 2442

|1970= 3031

|1980= 3453

|1990= 3819

|2000= 4637

|2010= 5075

|2020= 4901

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,901 people, 1,359 households, and 1,024 families residing in the city.

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 4,637 people, 1,490 households, and 1,065 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|495.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,654 housing units at an average density of {{convert|176.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 52.86% White, 44.25% African American, 1.04% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.94% of the population.

There were 1,490 households, out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 23.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,052, and the median income for a family was $30,069. Males had a median income of $27,060 versus $17,280 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,986. About 21.5% of families and 26.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.6% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.

The largest chicken processing plant in the world—able to process 2.5 million chickens per week—is located on Highway 35 north of Carthage. Originally owned by Choctaw Maid Farms, the plant was flanked by a large trailer park built in the mid-1990s to house the factory's growing Hispanic migrant workforce, and the Hispanic population of Carthage increased from 1.9 percent to 12.3 percent between 2000 and 2010. The plant was purchased by Tyson Foods in 2003, and employs 1,700.{{cite web | title = Locations | publisher = Tyson Foods | url = http://www.tysonfoods.com/Our-Story/Locations.aspx | access-date = January 1, 2014}}{{cite book | last1 = Haviland | first1 = William | last2 = Prins | first2 =Harald | last3 = McBride | first3 =Bunny | last4 = Walrath| first4 = Dana | title = Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge | publisher = Cengage Learning | year = 2010 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=rToFAAAAQBAJ&pg=PP1| isbn = 978-1111790424 }}

The Square Affair is held annually each May, and features walks, runs, a children's fishing rodeo, an idol competition, vendors, fireworks, and a basketball tournament.{{cite web | title = City of Carthage - Events | publisher = City of Carthage | url = http://www.cityofcarthage.org/html/events.html | access-date = January 1, 2014}}

McMillian Park in Carthage has baseball diamonds, tennis courts, soccer field, disc golf course, two playgrounds, and a fishing pond.

Lincoln Park in Carthage has a baseball diamond, basketball court, walking trail, and community center.

The City of Carthage is served by the Leake County School District including Leake Central High School.

Carthage is served by Mississippi Highway 35, Mississippi Highway 16, and Mississippi Highway 25.

The Carthage-Leake County Airport is located north of the city.

Carthage is protected by its own police and fire departments.

The Baptist Medical Center in Carthage provides hospital services and critical care.

• The Chambers Brothers, soul music group{{cite web | last = Dane | first = Barbara | title = The Chamber Brothers Do That Real Thing | publisher = Folkway Records | year = 1965 | url = http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/folkways/FW02468.pdf | access-date = January 28, 2014 | archive-date = July 2, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130702160140/http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/folkways/FW02468.pdf | url-status = dead }}
• Winson Hudson, civil rights activist{{cite magazine | last = Pierce | first = Ponchitta | title = The Mission of Marian Wright | magazine = Ebony | date = June 1966 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Ql8CIGb9y5QC&q=%22Winson+Hudson%22%22carthage%22&pg=PA1}}
• John Johnson, professional basketball player, First Team All American at University of Iowa{{cite web | title = John Johnson | publisher = Basketball Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsjo01.html | access-date = January 1, 2014}}
• Ollie McLaughlin, record producer and record label owner{{cite book|title=The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music|editor=Colin Larkin|publisher=Guinness Publishing|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=1578}}
• Bennett Malone, member of Mississippi House of Representatives{{cite web | title = Bennett Malone | publisher = Mississippi Legislature | url = http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/house/malone.xml | access-date = January 1, 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140603150333/http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/house/malone.xml | archive-date = June 3, 2014 }}
• Marcus Mann, Southern Baptist minister and former college basketball player{{cite web | title = Marcus Mann | publisher = Draft Review | url = http://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1924 | access-date = January 1, 2014}}
• Jay Mathis, former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives{{cite web|title=Jay Mathis|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/294/jay-mathis|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=January 14, 2023}}
• Donald Rawson (1925-2014), history professor and administrator at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, born in the former Dossville in Leake County{{cite news|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thetowntalk/obituary.aspx?n=donald-m-rawson&pid=172806163&fhid=11989|title=Donald M. Rawson|newspaper=Alexandria Town Talk|date=October 15, 2014|access-date=October 18, 2014}}
• Ferr Smith, member of the Mississippi House of Representatives{{cite web|title=Ferr Smith|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/3722/ferr-smith|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=January 14, 2023}}
• Arthur Tate, member of the Mississippi State Senate{{Cite web |last=Fields |first=Christopher |date=2023-02-03 |title=Mississippi's first Black senator since reconstruction honored for Black History Month |url=https://www.wlbt.com/2023/02/03/mississippis-first-black-senator-since-reconstruction-honored-black-history-month/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231219021728/https://www.wlbt.com/2023/02/03/mississippis-first-black-senator-since-reconstruction-honored-black-history-month/ |archive-date=2023-12-19 |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=WLBT |language=en}}
• Kenneth Walker, member of the Mississippi House of Representatives{{Cite web|title=Kenneth Walker|url=http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/house/walker.xml|access-date=January 14, 2023|website=billstatus.ls.state.ms.us}}
• O'Neal Wilder, World Junior gold medalist{{cite web | title = O'Neal Wilder | publisher = Mississippi State University Athletics | url = http://www.hailstate.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=16800&ATCLID=1432791 | access-date = January 1, 2014}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.cityofcarthage.org/ City of Carthage official website]
• [http://www.leakems.com/ Leake County Chamber of Commerce]
• [http://www.leakesd.org/ Leake County School District]
• [http://www.thecarthaginian.com/ The Carthaginian]

{{Leake County, Mississippi}}

{{Mississippi county seats}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Mississippi

Category:Cities in Leake County, Mississippi

Category:County seats in Mississippi

Category:1834 establishments in Mississippi