Arnold, Missouri

Arnold is the largest city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 20,808 at the 2010 census.

Arnold, Missouri
City
Arnold Water Tower from I-55 North (Now Sky Blue since Nov. 2015)
Location of Arnold, Missouri
Coordinates: 38°25′58″N 90°22′10″W
CountryUnited States
StateMissouri
CountyJefferson
Government
 • MayorRon Counts
 • Mayor Pro-TemTim Seidenstricker
Area
 • Total11.53 sq mi (29.86 km2)
 • Land11.53 sq mi (29.85 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
605 ft (184 m)
Population
 • Total20,808
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
21,091
 • Density1,830.02/sq mi (706.60/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
63010
Area code(s)636
FIPS code29-01972[4]
GNIS feature ID0713393[5]
Websitearnoldmo.org

History

The first European settler in Arnold was Jean Baptiste Gamache, who operated a ferry boat across the Meramec River in exchange for 1050 arpents of land granted by the King of Spain. This ferry was on the King's Trace or El Camino Real, from St. Louis to Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

Eminent domain

Arnold was a focal point over the eminent domain issue in Missouri.[6] In January 2004, the City of Arnold announced that THF Realty had approached them regarding developing a section of Arnold known as the Triangle,[7] an area bordered by Route 141, Interstate 55 and Church Road in the city limits. The city voted in favor of the Triangle Development project proceeding on September 16, 2005.

According to an agreement with THF, Arnold would acquire the properties in the triangle and would be reimbursed its costs by THF. Arnold offered the property owners a buy-out, and most accepted. Some businesses were promised relocation [7] either in the new development or elsewhere in the city. Others were not given this option. Some refused the offer, and the city moved to condemn the dissenting properties. One such hold out was Homer R. Tourkakis, the owner of a dental practice on the corner of the triangle formed by Route 141 and Interstate 55.

Tourkakis claims that THF never made a fair-market offer. THF claims they offered to rebuild his practice elsewhere and purchase his property for $600,000. Tourkakis's property was declared blighted, and Arnold sought to seize it under eminent domain. Tourkakis fought these proceedings in the Jefferson County courts. Arnold and THF argued that although incorporated cities are not explicitly granted the use of eminent domain does not imply they are denied it. The judge ruled that because Arnold is a third-class city, under Missouri law, it cannot use eminent domain to seize properties.[6] In appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court, the decision was reversed, ruling that through the TIF act and the City of Arnold being an incorporated municipality, had the right to use eminent domain.[8]

Red light cameras

In 2005, Arnold became the first city in Missouri to install red light cameras.[9] A 2009 lawsuit against the cameras was dismissed on procedural grounds.[10] In 2013 the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District ruled the Arnold red-light camera ordinance to be unconstitutional.[11]

Notable events

On October 24, 1988 Republican vice-presidential candidate Dan Quayle addressed the students at Fox High School, listening to questions and discussing the fight on drugs.

On July 17, 1993 President Bill Clinton with several members of his cabinet held a "flood summit" at Fox High School during the Great Flood of 1993. During the summit, Clinton promised the governors of flood-damaged states that his administration would not abandon them once the water recedes.[12]

On April 29, 2009, United States President Barack Obama held a town hall meeting commemorating his 100th day in office at Fox High School in Arnold. Several members of the presidents cabinet and staff attended the event including senior White House advisers Valerie Jarrett and David Axelrod and National Security Adviser James L. Jones.

Meramec River flooding

The Meramec River crested at a record level of 47.26 feet on December 31, 2015, after a weekend of heavy rain, affecting over 300 homes and breaking the previous record crest from 1993.[13] The floodwaters closed Interstate 55 at the Meramec just north of Arnold.[14]

Flooding struck again in 2017 after heavy rains, with the Meramec cresting at 45.62 feet on May 3. Only the southbound lanes of I-55 were closed by floodwater.[15] Approximately 20 homes were affected.[16]

Geography

Arnold is located at 38°25′58″N 90°22′10″W (38.432753, -90.369393).[17] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.94 square miles (30.92 km2), of which 11.58 square miles (29.99 km2) is land and 0.36 square miles (0.93 km2) is water.[18]

The city is located at the confluence of the Meramec and Mississippi rivers,[19] just south of St. Louis County.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
198019,141—
199018,828−1.6%
200019,9656.0%
201020,8084.2%
Est. 201921,091[3]1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 20,808 people, 8,090 households, and 5,695 families living in the city. The population density was 1,796.9 inhabitants per square mile (693.8/km2). There were 8,547 housing units at an average density of 738.1 per square mile (285.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 8,090 households, of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.6% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 39.2 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 19,965 people, 7,550 households, and 5,564 families living in the city. The population density was 1,775.0 inhabitants per square mile (685.2/km2). There were 7,913 housing units at an average density of 703.5 per square mile (271.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.91% White, 0.30% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 7,550 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,188, and the median income for a family was $53,664. Males had a median income of $37,972 versus $27,222 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,378. About 3.0% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

In 2014, Anheuser-Busch InBev's subsidiary Metal Container Corp, announced plans to expand their aluminum can and bottle manufacturing plant in Arnold,[21] making the city home to the largest can manufacturing facility in the country.

Arnold is home to one of two office's of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency in the St Louis area[22] employing at least 900 workers.[23]

According to Money Magazine, Arnold was ranked the 12th best and most affordable city to live in the United States in 2008.[24]

Parks and recreation

Arnold City Park is located off Jeffco Blvd. at #1 Bradley Beach Road. The 68-acre park has an 8-acre fishing lake and 4 pavilions, each with electricity and a BBQ pit. The park also offers a playground, paved 1/2-mile walking/hiking trail, 2 dirt multipurpose fields, 2 horseshoe pits, volleyball poles, Paw (dog) park, and fishing.

Ferd B. Lang Park is a 25-acre multi-use park located at 1820 Old Lemay Ferry Road. The park has 5 pavilions with electrical outlets and BBQ pits at each site. Other amenities include a playground, hiking trails, 2 grass multipurpose fields, 5 horseshoe pits, 3 sand volleyball courts, Arnold Jaycees Skate Park, half basketball court, Paw Park for Dogs, and restrooms (closed Nov 5, 2018 – Apr 8, 2019)

The City of Arnold offers a full service recreation center including workout center, walking track and swimming pool for a monthly fee.[25] First Baptist Church of Arnold offers a free NCAA caliber gymnasium, weight rooms, cardio center, arts & craft center, indoor walking track. An orientation is required prior to use.[26]

Education

The Fox C-6 School District operates public schools. Three elementary schools are in the city limits: Fox Elementary School, Rockport Heights Elementary School, and Sherwood Elementary School. Fox Middle School and Fox High School are in Arnold.

The Fox district was originally a K-8 school district, with high school students having a choice of Crystal City High School and Herculaneum High School. The district became K-12 when Fox High School was established in 1955.[27]

Arnold has a public library, a branch of the Jefferson County Library.[28]

Notable people

Locations
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References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. Case Summary for January 17, 2008
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2008-07-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Homer Tourkakis: Victim of Eminent Domain Abuse
  8. "FindLaw's Supreme Court of Missouri case and opinions". Findlaw.
  9. Lynn Horsley, Caught Red Handed? Although Red-Light Cameras Haven't Gotten an OK in Kansas, Some Missouri Cities Are Installing Them, THE KANSAS CITY STAR, Apr. 1, 2006, p. A1
  10. Hoekstra v. City of Arnold, No. 4:08CV0267, 2009 WL 259857 (E.D. Mo. Feb. 3, 2009)
  11. Thorsen, Leah (Feb 8, 2014). "No need to pay red-light ticket in Arnold". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  12. https://www.stltoday.com/news/archives/years-ago-the-president---and-the-world-/article_fef70b40-c0f4-53dc-b575-4b42a17c39a5.html/
  13. "Flooding cleanup continues in Arnold," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jan. 11 2016, http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/flooding-cleanup-continues-in-arnold/article_d0ae7567-0be2-560a-8f9b-53c56680b3e9.html, Accessed 6-27-17
  14. Tim O'Neill, "Surging Meramec River swamps flood records and major highways," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Dec. 31, 2015, http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/surging-meramec-river-swamps-flood-records-and-major-highways/article_41b2d24a-5df9-5a77-a7b5-57b8005fd0f9.html, Accessed 6-27-17
  15. Doug Moore, "Cleanup begins along Meramec as floodwater recedes, but sandbags remain with new crests coming," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 4, 2017, http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/cleanup-begins-along-meramec-as-floodwater-recedes-but-sandbags-remain/article_6737a1cd-5509-57c8-a512-688de23cfc8f.html, Accessed 6-27-17
  16. Jacob Long, "Flood recovery begins for Arnold residents," KDSK, May 6, 2017, http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/flood-recovery-begins-for-arnold-residents/437338996, Accessed 6-27-17
  17. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  18. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  19. Bolstad, Erika (15 May 2017). "Trump country is flooding, and climate ideas are shifting". E&E News. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  20. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  21. "404". newsroom.anheuser-busch.com. Archived from the original on 2015-06-14. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  22. "NGA Arnold Facility". www.nga.mil. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  23. "Q-and-A: What's the NGA? Why Is It Moving? Why All the Fuss? Can I Get A Job There?". Belleville News-Democrat. March 31, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  24. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-09-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. Leinicke, Connie. "Fitness". The City of Arnold, Missouri. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
  26. "Family LIfe Center". fbcarnold.org. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
  27. "History of the District" (Archive). Fox C-6 School District. Retrieved on June 13, 2014.
  28. "Our Branches". Jefferson County Library. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  29. "Wickes". Retrieved May 20, 2018.
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