Black Jack Issoire
| Coordinates: 38°47′27″N90°15′43″W / 38.79083°N 90.26194°WCoordinates: 38°47′27″N90°15′43″W / 38.79083°N 90.26194°W | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Missouri |
| County | St. Louis |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Norman McCourt |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.62 sq mi (6.80 km2) |
| • Land | 2.60 sq mi (6.74 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 6,929 |
| • Estimate (2019)[3] | 6,918 |
| • Density | 2,657.70/sq mi (1,026.03/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | |
| Area code(s) | 314 |
| FIPS code | 29-06004[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0755778[5] |
| Website | cityofblackjack.com |
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Black Jack is a second-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in northern St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 6,929 at the 2010 census.[6]
The City of Black Jack was named for three, unusually large and outstanding American Oak trees that germinated and grew at the intersection of Old Halls Ferry and Parker Roads early in the nineteenth century.
A post office called Black Jack was established in 1872, and remained in operation until 1906.[7] The community was named for a grove of blackjack oak trees near the original town site.[8]
Geography[edit]
Black Jack is located at 38°47′27″N90°15′43″W / 38.79083°N 90.26194°W (38.790799, −90.261885).[9]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.60 square miles (6.73 km2), of which 2.59 square miles (6.71 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[10]
Demographics[edit]
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 4,145 | — | |
| 1980 | 5,293 | 27.7% | |
| 1990 | 6,131 | 15.8% | |
| 2000 | 6,792 | 10.8% | |
| 2010 | 6,929 | 2.0% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 6,918 | [3] | −0.2% |
| City of Black Jack | |||
2010 census[edit]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 6,929 people, 2,591 households, and 1,797 families living in the city. The population density was 2,675.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,032.9/km2). There were 2,809 housing units at an average density of 1,084.6 per square mile (418.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 16.3% White, 81.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.
Blackjack Issoire
There were 2,591 households, of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 21.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.13.
The median age in the city was 40.9 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 29.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.9% male and 55.1% female.
2000 census[edit]
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 6,792 people, 2,422 households, and 1,789 families living in the city. The population density was 2,553.3 people per square mile (985.9/km2). There were 2,587 housing units at an average density of 972.5 per square mile (375.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 26.31% White, 71.32% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.
There were 2,422 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $51,806, and the median income for a family was $63,324. Males had a median income of $41,969 versus $30,930 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,705. About 2.8% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
Family controversy[edit]
In May 2006, the Black Jack city government made a controversial decision to remove an unmarried couple and their children from their own home on the grounds that the couple was not related enough to each other to satisfy a municipal ordinance. For the purpose of obtaining an occupancy permit, Black Jack defined a family as:
- An individual; or
- Two (2) or more persons related by blood, marriage or adoption; or
- A group of not more than three (3) persons who need not be related by blood, marriage or adoption.
Therefore, an unmarried couple with one child would qualify as a family, whereas an unmarried couple with multiple children would not.
On August 10, 2006, the ACLU of Eastern Missouri filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming violation of due process and equal protection, and violation of housing laws. On August 15 the Black Jack city council unanimously passed a resolution changing the definition of family to include an unmarried couple and their children.[11]
References[edit]
- ^'2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files'. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ ab'U.S. Census website'. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
- ^ ab'Population and Housing Unit Estimates'. United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ ab'U.S. Census website'. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^'US Board on Geographic Names'. United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^'Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), Black Jack city, Missouri'. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
- ^'Post Offices'. Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
- ^'St. Louis County Place Names, 1928–1945'. The State Historical Society of Missouri. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
- ^'US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990'. United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^'US Gazetteer files 2010'. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
- ^ACLU of Eastern Missouri, Press ReleaseArchived 2006-10-02 at the Wayback Machine, Complaint to cityArchived 2006-10-02 at the Wayback Machine (PDF), and Petition to courtArchived 2006-10-02 at the Wayback Machine (PDF)
External links[edit]
The City's Namesake
The city’s name is taken literally from 'seeds' of our heritage. The City of Black Jack was named for three, unusually large and outstanding American Oak trees that germinated and grew at the intersection of Old Halls Ferry and Parker Roads early in the nineteenth century. The three trees, located about 12 miles from the St. Louis City Courthouse, provided shelter and welcomed relief for farmers hauling their crops to market from outlining areas. They provided a place to rest, a place to meet fellow travelers, and a means to measure distance to and across the Missouri River. In 1840, these three trees were named and became widely known and recognized as ‘the Black Jacks’.
Black Jack Oak Trees
During the early 1840s, a clump of three large Black Jack Oak trees stood at the intersection of Parker and Old Halls Ferry Roads. This species of the American Oak is usually small and scrubby, but these were large and cast immense shade upon the tired and heated humanity that passed that way.
Resting Place
The trees were located about 12 miles from the St. Louis County Courthouse, and afforded shelter, as well as a resting place for farmers hauling their wheat, cordwood, and garden products to the market. Farmers living in the Sinks and outlying districts made these Black Jacks a stopping place, often bringing their heavy loads to this point during the evening, and resuming the journey to the city the next morning. In this way, the oaks soon attained celebrity status as a point for shelter from the heat, a rendezvous, and as a measure of distance from other points, and were spoken of as 'the Black Jacks'.
The First Home
At this time, there was no building of any sort on the present site of Black Jack, but Thomas Fletcher built his home, a modest one-room log house, on the Halls Ferry Road, a short distance from the famous oak trees. Black Jack was officially christened by the Postal Department in 1865. Julius Nolte had been away taking part in the war and returned to his home to become the first postmaster of the growing village. He was also the owner of a general country store.
Business
A half mile east on the same road, Peter Obert, conducted a blacksmith shop and a general store. At this time also, Mr. Richardson built a large tobacco barn on the Halls Ferry Road. This structure was, a few years later, transformed into a residence by Judge L. Hyatt, and still later was occupied by the Utz family. Joseph Leber is credited with being the pioneer businessman of the community. He opened a blacksmith shop on the Northeast corner of the intersection of Old Halls Ferry and Parker Roads, and later opened a wagon-making shop next door.
Black Jack Missouri Police Department
Settlers
Among the settlers at this time we find the Rosenkoetters, Trampes, Jacobsmeyers, Poggemoellers, Burgdorfs, Noltes, Hammersens, and the Uzzells. Through time and progress, the appearance of the famous Black Jack Oak trees changed.
City Development
No buildings surrounded the original Black Jack Oak trees. They stood out proudly. Soon, Thomas Fletcher built his modest one-room log home a short distance north on Halls Ferry Road from the famous Black Jacks. Along with residential building, Black Jack’s commercial district began to grow and flourish. Joseph Leber was the pioneer businessman for the village. He opened a blacksmith shop on the northeast corner of Old Halls Ferry and Parker Roads and later added a wagon-making shop. Peter Obert also operated a blacksmith shop, a general store, and repaired shoes from a building a half-mile east on Halls Ferry Road, close to where Mr. Richardson ran his tobacco barn. In 1865, the Postal Department officially christened the village, Black Jack; and Julius Nolte, home from the war and owner of the general store, became the first Postmaster of this growing village.
Progressive Changes
Time and progressive changes soon began to alter the appearance of ‘the Black Jacks’ village. By 1877, Black Jack’s population was recorded at 300. Victorian- and federal-style homes, along with stone houses and simple structures were built along Parker and Old Halls Ferry Roads. Farms operated by the Jacobsmeyer, Trampe, and Poggemoeller families prospered and stretched across the open land. The growing village, now surrounding ‘ the Black Jacks’, became a thriving community.
Incorporation
On June 23, 1970, a petition containing 1,425 signatures was filed with the St. Louis County Clerk to incorporate 1,700 acres (2.65 square miles) as the City of Black Jack; and on August 6, 1970, Black Jack officially became a Third Class City with the first appointed mayor and eight councilmen. The first election was held in April 1971.
Growth
Now in 2014, the City of Black Jack has grown to approximately 6,700 residents and 3,000 homes. The city currently welcomes and supports 43 businesses, eight churches, and three elementary schools. We respect our green space and treasure our 75-acre park, as well as our Joyce E. Hoffman Nature Park. As Black Jack continues to grow, our city still basks in the shade and life originally generated by the seeds of those three American Oaks. Those stately trees represent who and what we are today, a proud city with strong roots, providing the safety and respite of community for residents coming home.