St. Joseph, Missouri

History

St. Joseph was founded on the Missouri River by Joseph Robidoux, a local fur trader of French Canadian descent. It was officially incorporated in 1843. In its early days, it was a bustling outpost and rough frontier town, serving as a last supply point and jumping-off point for travelers on the Missouri River toward the "Wild West". It was the westernmost point in the United States accessible by rail until after the American Civil War, which helped earn it the designation "Gateway to the West."

The main east–west downtown streets were named for Robidoux's eight children: Faraon, Jules, Francois (Francis), Felix, Edmond, Charles, Sylvanie, and Messanie. The street between Sylvanie and Messanie was named for his second wife, Angelique.

St. Joseph, or "St. Joe", as it was called by many, was a "Jumping-Off Point" for those migrants headed to the Oregon Territory in the mid-1800s. Such cities, including Independence, and St. Joseph, were where pioneers would stay and purchase supplies before they headed out in wagon trains across the Great Plains. The town was a very lively place.

Between April 3, 1860, and late October 1861, St. Joseph was one of the two endpoints of the Pony Express, which operated for a short period over the land then inaccessible by rail, to provide fast mail service. Today the Pony Express Museum hosts visitors in the former stables of the company. St. Joseph is identified by the slogan, "Where the Pony Express started and Jesse James ended."

The town's main hotel was Patee House. In the post-Civil War years, when the economy was down, the hotel was used for a time by the Patee Female College. It was occupied by the St. Joseph Female College up to 1880.

In 1874 the State Lunatic Asylum #2 was opened just East of St. Joseph. The asylum, originally built for 250 patients, opened its doors with more than 300. The asylum was mostly self-sustaining with three large farms, power plant, fire department, metal shops, wood shops, dairy and more, all worked by the patients. Over the decades the asylum grew rapidly, reaching its peak of close to 3,000 patients by the 1940s. In 1968 occupational therapist George Glore, with the help of his patients, recreated several historic treatment devices for Mental Health Awareness Month. This was the start of the Glore Psychiatric Museum. Now the largest museum of its kind in the world, the museum shows the history mental health treatment and still houses the original exhibits created by George Glore and his patients.

Outlaw Jesse James lived here under the alias "Mr. Howard". The song, "Jesse James", includes the lines, "...that dirty little coward that shot Mr. Howard has laid poor Jesse in his grave." On April 3, 1882, James was killed at his home, originally located at 1318 Lafayette. It has been relocated next to the Patee House and still has the visible bullet hole from the fatal shot. It is now operated as the Jesse James Home Museum.

The Heaton-Bowman-Smith Funeral Home maintains a small museum about Jesse James. Their predecessors conducted his funeral.

St. Joseph was the second city in the US to install electric streetcars; regular service was initiated on July 4, 1888. Among properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places are Robidoux Row, buildings owned by the founder and used for his family trading and mercantile business; the Patee House, now serving as a museum displaying St. Joseph's history, and the Missouri Theatre, an ornate movie palace. The Walnut Park Farm Historic District near St. Joseph was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

St. Joseph's population peaked in 1900, with a census population of 102,979. This population figure is questionable, as civic leaders were known to have tried to raise the numbers for that census. At the time, Saint Joseph was home to one of the largest wholesale companies in the Midwest, the Nave & McCord Mercantile Company, as well as the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, and the C.D. Smith & Company. C.D. Smith later became C.D. Smith Healthcare.

Prior to 1954 and desegregation, Bartlett High School served St. Joseph's African American students. It became Horace Mann Elementary with desegregation. You can learn about the Bartlett School at the Black Archives Museum of St. Joseph. St. Joseph's African American community leaders and Nathaniel C. Bruce were involved in and supported the establishment of Bartlett Agricultural and Industrial School in Dalton, Missouri. It was modeled after Tuskegee Institute and Hampton Institute.

Geography and climate

Saint Joseph is located on the Missouri/Kansas border in northwestern Missouri, also close to Nebraska; Iowa is another 70 mi farther north. The nearest major metropolitan area to St. Joseph is the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, which begins approximately 30 mi to the south. The nearest major airport is Kansas City International Airport, which is approximately 35 mi to the south. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.77 sqmi, of which 43.99 sqmi is land and 0.78 sqmi is water.

Several water bodies and streams are located in St. Joseph besides the Missouri River. Roys Branch sources just northwest of Krug Park and travels southwest and enters the Missouri River next to Remington Nature Center. Whitehead Creek headwaters southeast of St. Joseph and flows northwest into the Missouri River just southwest of downtown. Corby Pond, a public lake in Corby Park, is a popular fishing location. Lake Contrary is located just southwest of St. Joseph and has a beach.

Under the Köppen climate classification, St. Joseph has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) bordering on a humid continental climate (Dfa), although under United States isotherms of 32 F the station is firmly continental. The monthly weather averages listed below are taken from National Weather Service 1981–2010 normals recorded at Rosecrans Airport. Because of the airport's location near the Missouri River and at a low elevation, official overnight lows during wintertime especially are often several degrees colder than at other places within the city. Snowfall is not recorded at the St. Joseph weather station although surrounding reporting stations typically receive 12 in-20 in of snowfall annually.

| Jan record high F = 73 | Feb record high F = 83 | Mar record high F = 98 | Apr record high F = 96 | May record high F = 103 | Jun record high F = 105 | Jul record high F = 108 | Aug record high F = 110 | Sep record high F = 107 | Oct record high F = 97 | Nov record high F = 82 | Dec record high F = 73 | year record high F = 110 | Jan avg record high F = 61.7 | Feb avg record high F = 65.1 | Mar avg record high F = 79.7 | Apr avg record high F = 86.9 | May avg record high F = 91.9 | Jun avg record high F = 95.0 | Jul avg record high F = 97.4 | Aug avg record high F = 96.9 | Sep avg record high F = 92.7 | Oct avg record high F = 87.5 | Nov avg record high F = 74.0 | Dec avg record high F = 63.8 | year avg record high F = 99.0 | Jan avg record low F = -4.3 | Feb avg record low F = 2.5 | Mar avg record low F = 12.4 | Apr avg record low F = 25.0 | May avg record low F = 38.0 | Jun avg record low F = 51.0 | Jul avg record low F = 55.8 | Aug avg record low F = 52.3 | Sep avg record low F = 39.1 | Oct avg record low F = 25.2 | Nov avg record low F = 14.4 | Dec avg record low F = 1.1 | year avg record low F = -8.7 | Jan record low F = -25 | Feb record low F = -23 | Mar record low F = -13 | Apr record low F = 2 | May record low F = 29 | Jun record low F = 41 | Jul record low F = 41 | Aug record low F = 41 | Sep record low F = 30 | Oct record low F = 11 | Nov record low F = -5 | Dec record low F = -24 | year record low F = -25 | access-date = August 2, 2021}} | access-date = August 2, 2021}}

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 72,473 people, 29,008 households, and 16,841 families in St. Joseph. The population density was 1,645.6 per square mile (635.4/km). There were 33,760 housing units at an average density of 766.6 per square mile (296.0/km). The racial makeup was 80.76% (58,529) white, 6.03% (4,367) black or African-American, 0.57% (414) Native American or Alaska Native, 1.43% (1,039) Asian, 0.6% (437) Pacific Islander, 2.63% (1,905) from other races, and 7.98% (5,782) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.1% (5,367) of the population.

Of the 29,008 households, 25.4% had children under the age of 18; 40.1% were married couples living together; 31.1% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 34.8% consisted of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.2.

23.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 100.3 males.

The 2016–2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $48,716 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,421) and the median family income was $60,272 (+/- $2,679). Males had a median income of $34,486 (+/- $1,611) versus $25,623 (+/- $1,474) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,229 (+/- $1,494). Approximately, 12.0% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 76,780 people, 29,727 households, and 18,492 families residing in the city. The population density was 1745.4 PD/sqmi. There were 33,189 housing units at an average density of 754.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.8% White, 6.0% Black, 0.5% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.0% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.7% of the population.

There were 29,727 households, of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.8% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18; 11.7% between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% from 25 to 44; 24.9% from 45 to 64; and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age in the city was 35.6 years. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 73,990 people, 29,026 households, and 18,460 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,687.7 /mi2. There were 31,752 housing units at an average density of 724.2 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 91.9% White, 5.0% Black, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian,

There were 29,026 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were single-family households. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,663, and the median income for a family was $40,995. Males had a median income of $31,300 versus $21,592 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,445. About 9.1% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

Business

St. Joseph has a vibrant and diversified industrial economy making it the third largest exporter in Missouri. The industry includes major food processing, research, development, and production facilities of animal health products. Production of a wide range of heavy equipment, bio-fuels, meat and grains processing, candies, food processing equipment, metal can production, along with two major general contractors.

At the center of the so-called 'Kansas City Animal Health Corridor', which extends from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, Missouri, St. Joseph is home to major animal health, pharmaceutical, nutrition research facilities. Including Boehringer Ingelheim and Nestle Purina.

Other agricultural products including herbicides for crop production and retail are produced in St. Joseph.

Herzog is based in St. Joseph. TransitAmerica Services, a subsidiary of Herzog, provides conductors and other railway technical positions for transit rail systems nationwide. Herzog Contracting, parent company to Transit America, is based in the city and provides construction services, rail equipment, rail testing, and signaling services to freight and transit systems throughout North America and the Caribbean.

St. Joseph has the third-largest manufacturing economy in Missouri, after St. Louis and Kansas City.

In June 2019, total employment in the St. Joseph Metropolitan Area was 65,099 persons.

Below is a partial list of largest employers in St. Joseph. Some privately held manufacturing companies are also top employers but they do not publicly disclose employment numbers.

Retail

St. Joseph is home to several retail areas, many of which are grouped along Belt Highway on the city's east side. East Hills Mall is located at North Belt Highway and Frederick Boulevard. Developed in 2005, the Shoppes at North Village is concentrated along North Belt Highway between approximately Cook and County Line roads. Other shopping districts include Belt Center, Hy-Vee Shopping Center, Hillcrest Plaza, East Ridge Village, and Woodlawn Shopping Center.

Education

Public schools

The vast majority of the city limits is in the St. Joseph School District. The St. Joseph School District operates three public high schools, four public middle schools and 16 public elementary schools in St. Joseph. There are three private grade schools, a private high school and a private K–12 Christian school. Two new elementary schools (Oak Grove and Carden Park) have been constructed, and both opened by the 2014–15 academic year. In addition, there is an active home education community that serves the city and surrounding areas. In higher education, St. Joseph is the home of a regional public university as well as a public university outreach center, a public technical school and a private technical school.

;Public elementary schools

• Carden Park Elementary School (K–06)
• Coleman Elementary School (K–06)
• Edison Elementary School (PK–06)
• Ellison Elementary School (K–06)
• Eugene Field Elementary School (K–06)
• Hosea Elementary School (PK–06)
• Hyde Elementary School (K–06)
• Lindbergh Elementary School (PK–06)
• Oak Grove Elementary School (K–06)
• Parkway Elementary School (PK–06)
• Pershing Elementary School (K–06)
• Pickett Elementary School (PK–06)
• Skaith Elementary School (PK–06)

;Public middle schools

• Bode Middle School (07–08)
• Robidoux Middle School (07–08)
• Spring Garden Middle School (07–08)
• Truman Middle School (07–08)

;Public high schools

• Benton High School (09–12)

• Central High School (09–12)

• Lafayette High School (09–12)

• Lafayette High School will be known as Lafayette Middle School at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year, and Robidoux Middle School will be known as Robidoux Elementary School as a result of changes made by SJSD.

A small piece of the city is in the Mid-Buchanan County R-V School District.

Private schools

• Bishop LeBlond High School (9–12)
• Cathedral Grade School (preschool-8)
• Prescott Seventh-Day Adventist School (K-8)
• St. Francis Xavier Grade School (preschool–8)
• St. James Grade School (preschool-8)
• St. Joseph Christian School (preschool-12)
• St. Paul Lutheran School (preschool–8)

Colleges and universities

• Missouri Western State University

Special focus institutions

• American Business and Technology University
• Hillyard Technical Center
• Webster Learning Center

Library

St. Joseph has a four-branch public library system. The system is overseen by the Library Board, which consists of nine members appointed by the mayor, with city council approval, for three-year terms. The Downtown Library, located in downtown St. Joseph, houses the administrative offices for the library system. Carnegie Library and Washington Park Library are neighborhood branches that serve communities in the North and South ends of the city. East Hills Library is the largest branch, located off Interstate 29, which serves the greater St. Joseph area. Downtown Library and Carnegie Library were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and 1990 respectively.

St. Joseph also has a branch of the Rolling Hills Consolidated Library. This library was founded in 1961 with its headquarters in the basement of the Washington Park Library. The library currently occupies over 23,000 square feet of space off of the Belt Highway. The space is used for the library itself, its administration offices, a used book store, and "The Upper Story", a large rentable meeting room.

Transportation

The St. Joseph Transit is publicly owned and provides bus service. Rosecrans Memorial Airport is a joint municipal/military owned airport for general aviation. It is the home of the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard, and does not have commercial service. The nearest commercial airport is Kansas City International Airport, which is approximately 35 mi to the south. Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines.

The city is served by two Interstate highways, one proposed interstate, and four US Routes:

• , which runs south to Kansas City and north to Council Bluffs, Iowa
• , a western bypass of St. Joseph, which the portion through downtown will be demolished and be replaced with a surface boulevard.
• , the Pony Express Highway, running east to Cameron and west to Hiawatha, Kansas
• , which runs south to Atchison, Kansas, and north into western Iowa
• , which runs south concurrent with I-29 to Kansas City, and north to Maryville
• , which runs south to Kansas City, and north to Winterset, Iowa

In addition, four state routes serve the city:

Cityscape

Numerous parks, golf courses, sports complexes, skate parks, a water park, a riverwalk along the Missouri River, and a small conservation area can be found throughout St. Joseph proper. The city is also nationally known for its 26 mi parkway system, which is accompanied by an urban trail system. Two of the city's largest parks are Krug Park and Hyde Park; these respectively anchor the parkway and urban trail on the north and south. A dog park has been added to the parkway system near Corby Pond. There are many buildings that were built early on in the city's history, one of which being the Missouri Theater.

Media

St. Joseph currently ranks 201st largest designated market area out of 210 media markets in the United States (as ranked by Nielsen Media Research); the market covers six counties in northwestern Missouri (Holt, Worth, Nodaway, Andrew, DeKalb and Buchanan) and Doniphan County in northeastern Kansas. The St. Joseph area has three low-power and two full-power television stations, and ten radio stations. News-Press & Gazette, a media corporation, is headquartered in Saint Joseph. They have interests in numerous television, radio, and newspaper markets throughout the midwestern and western United States.

Television

Due to its proximity to Kansas City, stations from that market serve as default affiliate of MyNetworkTV (KSMO-TV/Kansas City) and default member station of PBS (KCPT/Kansas City) due to the lack of stations of either network licensed to the market. ABC affiliate KQTV had long been the only major commercial station in St. Joseph, but in June 2012, the locally based News-Press & Gazette Company signed on KNPN-LD as a Fox affiliate, KBJO-LD as a CW+ affiliate, and KNPG-LD as a Telemundo affiliate. This in turn was followed by the conversions of KBJO-LD to NBC affiliate KNPG-LD in November 2016 (retaining the CW+ as a LD2 subchannel), and the original KNPG-LD (which assumed the KBJO-LD call letters) to CBS affiliate KCJO-LD in June 2017, ending out-of-market reliance for major network programming.

Local broadcast stations

Local independent cable channels

• News-Press 3 NOW, Suddenlink channel 3/KNPN-LD virtual channel 26.3 (local news)

Radio

Newspapers

• The Regular Joe
• St. Joseph News-Press
• The Saint Joseph Telegraph

Notable people

Main article: List of people from St. Joseph, Missouri

References

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