Alto, Texas
Alto, Texas | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 48-02188[2] | | |
GNIS feature ID | 1372283[3] | |
Website | cityofalto |
Alto is a town in Cherokee County, Texas, United States. With a population of 1,027 at the 2020 U.S. census,[4] Alto is the closest municipality to the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, an archaeological site dating back to 800 BC, featuring a prehistoric village and ceremonial center.
History
An early settler in the region was Martin Lacy, who built Lacy's Fort just to the west to the current site of Alto in around 1838. In 1838 and 1839, during the campaign to suppress the
The town of Alto was laid out in 1849 and named for the Spanish word meaning "high," on account of the site's elevation on a drainage divide between the Neches and Angelina Rivers.[6]
Geography
Alto is located at 31°39′0″N 95°4′26″W / 31.65000°N 95.07389°W (31.650131, –95.073810).[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), all land. Alto had a prisoner of war camp during World War II, which served the Cherokee County area.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 61 | — | |
1880 | 88 | 44.3% | |
1890 | 210 | 138.6% | |
1910 | 672 | — | |
1920 | 1,081 | 60.9% | |
1930 | 1,053 | −2.6% | |
1940 | 1,141 | 8.4% | |
1950 | 1,021 | −10.5% | |
1960 | 869 | −14.9% | |
1970 | 1,045 | 20.3% | |
1980 | 1,203 | 15.1% | |
1990 | 1,027 | −14.6% | |
2000 | 1,190 | 15.9% | |
2010 | 1,225 | 2.9% | |
2020 | 1,027 | −16.2% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[9] |
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (NH)
|
416 | 40.51% |
Black or African American (NH)
|
268 | 26.1% |
Alaska Native (NH)
|
2 | 0.19% |
Asian (NH) | 1 | 0.1% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 38 | 3.7% |
Hispanic or Latino | 302 | 29.41% |
Total | 1,027 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,027 people, 459 households, and 283 families residing in the town.
According to the
Education
Public safety
In 2011, the city eliminated its entire police force after the city council cut the police budget to zero,[13] causing residents to brace for increased crime.[14] A councilman is quoted as saying "The police department, being a non-money-making entity, was the easiest to get rid of." Meanwhile, police services are provided by the county sheriff and, assuming the town's finances improve, it will be opened up again in December.[15]
Notable people
- James Z. Spearing, member of the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana's 2nd congressional district from 1924 to 1931, was born in Alto in 1864.
- George B. Terrell, member of the United States House of Representatives from Texas's at-large congressional district from 1924 to 1931.[16]
References
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
- ^ "Texas State Historical Association". Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ISBN 978-0-292-78693-6.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ Climate Summary for Alto, Texas
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
- ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ "Alto ISD Campuses" Archived 2008-12-12 at the Wayback Machine, Alto Independent School District
- ^ "Tiny Texas city lays off entire police force". CBS News. July 5, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- ^ Ana Campoy (June 29, 2011). "The Day the Law Left Town". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- ^ "Texas Town Dismisses Police Because of Budget Crisis".
- ^ Miller, Thomas Lloyd (August 1, 1995). "Biography, George Butler Terrell (1862–1947)". TSHA Online. Austin, TX: Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved May 16, 2021.