Desloge, Missouri

Desloge, Missouri
City
Location of Desloge, Missouri Location of Desloge, Missouri
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	St. Francois
Incorporated	1941
Area
• Total	2.90 sq mi (7.51 km2)
• Land	2.90 sq mi (7.51 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	805 ft (246 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	5,054
• Estimate (2012)	4,984
• Density	1,742.8/sq mi (672.9/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	63601
Area code(s)	573
FIPS code	29-19216
GNIS feature ID	0755987

Desloge /dəˈloʊʒ/ is a city in St. Francois County, Missouri. The population was 5,054 at the 2010 census.

History

The city was founded by Firmin V. Desloge II, son of Firmin René Desloge, who migrated from France, settled in Potosi, and began the Desloge Family in America. Firmin V. Desloge II learned about mining from his father and acquired many claims in the area of what is today Desloge and Bonne Terre. A Desloge developed one of his claims just north of Bonne Terre and built a concentrating plant there. After the plant was destroyed by fire in 1883, Desloge explored his properties in the present area of Desloge and consolidated several local mining companies which became known as the Desloge Consolidated Lead Company. In 1887, the land was cleared and company houses for his staff were constructed in an area referred to as "Desloge Town", just west of the present-day railroad tracks. Here, Desloge sank a shaft and built a concentrating plant which began operations in 1892. Desloge Missouri and the regional Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District became one of the principal lead mining centers in the US. In 1929, the family sold the Desloge Consolidated Lead Company to the St. Joe Lead Company.

Firmin Desloge II, who died in 1930, willed to his family the original 47 acres (190,000 m²) of the hand-dug pits of the original lead mining operations and the deeply rutted wagon tracks on a property. The family then donated this land for a park, today named Firmin Desloge Park, and dedicated it to the mining families in the area.

Firmin Desloge moved to St. Louis in the early 1900s. His son, Firmin Desloge III, was superintendent of mines until he moved his family — including his sons Firmin V. Desloge IV, William Livingston Desloge, and Theodore P. Desloge — to St. Louis in 1921.

The city of Desloge was incorporated on March 7, 1941, with D.E. Brown as its first mayor.

Recreation

In the center of town (at Parkside & Walnut Streets), Desloge City Park, offering an Olympic size swimming pool, tennis courts, picnic tables, barbecue pits, amphitheater, walking/jogging path, and playground equipment. Brightwell Park (at Cedar Street & Brightwell Blvd.) features three baseball diamonds for little to senior league baseball and softball.

Community services

The City of Desloge Police Department employs 10 personnel, offering 24-hour protection. Emergency calls are handled by the St. Francois County Joint Communications Center. In an emergency, dial 911. The City of Desloge Police Department is located at 1000 North Desloge Drive. The City of Desloge Volunteer Fire Department is one of the finest volunteer departments in St. Francois County. This professionally trained department utilizes state of the art equipment, including a 2000 Pumper Truck. The City of Desloge Volunteer Fire Department is located at 100 Chadrick Street. The City of Desloge Public Works Department oversees the Municipal Waterworks system, streets & alleys, trash removal, recycling, and city maintenance. The Public Works Department is located at 1000 East Chestnut Street. Free, once a week, trash pickup is offered to Desloge residents. A citywide, voluntary, recycling program is also available.

Health services

The nearest health and medical service providers are BJC Health Systems in Bonne Terre and Farmington and the osteopathic Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington.

Education

The North County R-1 School District serves grades K-12.

Mineral Area College, a two-year community college and the first in the state of Missouri to offer the 2+2 program, offers a four-year degree through Central Methodist University.

The Unitec Career Center offers business and industry training.

Geography

Desloge is located at (37.872781, -90.520484).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.90 square miles (7.51 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1950	1,957		—
1960	2,308		17.9%
1970	2,818		22.1%
1980	3,481		23.5%
1990	4,150		19.2%
2000	4,802		15.7%
2010	5,054		5.2%
Est. 2014	4,920		−2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,054 people, 2,092 households, and 1,361 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,742.8 inhabitants per square mile (672.9/km²). There were 2,274 housing units at an average density of 784.1 per square mile (302.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.37% White, 0.77% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.

There were 2,092 households of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the city was 37.4 years. 24% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,802 people, 1,963 households, and 1,336 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,808.8 people per square mile (699.6/km²). There were 2,115 housing units at an average density of 796.7 per square mile (308.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.63% White, 0.10% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.

There were 1,963 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,956, and the median income for a family was $40,035. Males had a median income of $35,451 versus $19,599 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,235. About 6.2% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

External links

• City of Desloge website
• The Desloge Family [1]
• Desloge "Vouziers" Mansion [2]
• DESLOGE LEAD CO [3]
• Historic maps of Desloge in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri