Samson, Alabama: Difference between revisions

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| image_caption                  =  
| image_caption                  =  
| image_seal                      =  
| image_seal                      =  
| image_map                       = File:Geneva County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Samson Highlighted 0167800.svg
| image_map                     = File:Geneva County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Samson Highlighted 0167800.svg
| mapsize                         = 250px
| mapsize                       = 250px
| map_caption                     = Location of Samson in Geneva County, Alabama.
| map_caption                   = Location of Samson in Geneva County, Alabama.
| subdivision_type               = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type             = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
| subdivision_name              = United States
| subdivision_name                = United States
| subdivision_type1             = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1              = [[Alabama]]
| subdivision_name1            = Alabama
| subdivision_name2               = [[Geneva County, Alabama|Geneva]]
| subdivision_type2             = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
| government_type                 =  
| subdivision_name2             = [[Geneva County, Alabama|Geneva]]
| leader_title                   = Mayor
<!-- Government -->
| leader_name                    = Clay King (Deceased)
| established_date              =
| established_date               =  
| government_type               =  
| area_magnitude                  =  
| leader_title                 = Mayor
| area_total_km2                 = 9.40
| leader_name                   =
| area_total_sq_mi                = 3.63
<!-- Area -->
| area_land_km2                  = 9.37
| unit_pref                     = Imperial
| area_land_sq_mi                = 3.62
| area_footnotes               = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
| area_water_km2                  = 0.02
| area_total_km2               = 9.40
| area_water_sq_mi               = 0.01
| area_land_km2                = 9.37
| elevation_ft                    = 200
| area_water_km2                = 0.02
| elevation_m                    = 61
| area_total_sq_mi              = 3.63
| population_as_of               = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| area_land_sq_mi              = 3.62
| population_footnotes            =
| area_water_sq_mi             = 0.01
| population_total               = 1874
<!-- Population -->
| population_metro                =  
| population_as_of             = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_density_km2         = 199.98
| population_total             = 1874
| population_density_sq_mi       = 517.97
| population_footnotes          =  
| timezone                       = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central (CST)]]
| population_density_km2       = 199.98
| utc_offset                     = -6
| population_density_sq_mi     = 517.97
| coordinates                     = {{coord|31|6|45|N|86|2|52|W|region:US-AL|display=inline}}
<!-- General information -->
| timezone_DST                    = CDT
| timezone                     = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset_DST                  = -5
| utc_offset                   = -6
| postal_code_type               = [[ZIP code]]
| timezone_DST                  = CDT
| postal_code                     = 36477
| utc_offset_DST                = -5
| area_code                       = [[Area code 334|334]]
| elevation_ft                  = 210
| blank_name                     = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| elevation_footnotes          = <ref name=gnis/>
| blank_info                     = 01-67800
| coordinates                   = {{coord|31|07|12|N|86|02|51|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}}
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| coordinates_footnotes        = <ref name=gnis/>
| blank1_info                     = 0153310
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| footnotes                       =  
| postal_code_type             = [[ZIP code]]
| website                         = {{URL|http://www.cityofsamson.com/}}
| postal_code                   = 36477
| pop_est_as_of                  =
| area_code                     = [[Area code 334|334]]
| pop_est_footnotes              =
| blank_name                   = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| population_est                  =
| blank_info                   = 01-67800
| unit_pref                      = Imperial
| blank1_name                   = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
| blank1_info                   = 2405412<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2405412}}</ref>
| name                            =
| footnotes                     =  
| website                       = {{URL|http://www.cityofsamson.com/}}
}}
}}
'''Samson''' is a city in [[Geneva County, Alabama]], United States. It is part of the [[Dothan, Alabama]] Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 1,874, a decline from the figure of 1,940 tabulated in 2010. Samson incorporated in 1905 (according to the 1910 U.S. Census), although other sources cited 1906.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3348|title=Samson}}</ref>
'''Samson''' is a city in [[Geneva County, Alabama]], United States. It is part of the [[Dothan, Alabama]] Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 1,874, a decline from the figure of 1,940 tabulated in 2010. Samson incorporated in 1905 (according to the 1910 U.S. Census), although other sources cited 1906.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3348|title=Samson}}</ref>


The town's current motto is "Samson...We Grow Friendly People." A Samson High School student devised the slogan during a high school contest. This contest received more than 50 entries, and the student emerged as the winner, earning $100. The contest committee deemed his slogan, "Samson-we grow friendly people," as a representation of the agricultural aspect and the amicability of the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Samson |url=https://www.cityofsamson.com/community.html |access-date=January 5, 2024 |website=www.cityofsamson.com}}</ref>
==History==
During the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]], the T.S. Faulk and Company Store in downtown Samson purchased a large shipment of snuff, which remained stationary at the town's depot for an extended period of time. This led to Samson being nicknamed "Snuff City, U.S.A." The nickname is commemorated today with a [[List of objects dropped on New Year's Eve|New Year's drop]] of a Rooster snuff can.
During the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]], the T.S. Faulk and Company Store in downtown Samson purchased a large shipment of snuff, which remained stationary at the town's depot for an extended period of time. This led to Samson being nicknamed "Snuff City, U.S.A." The nickname is commemorated today with a [[List of objects dropped on New Year's Eve|New Year's drop]] of a Rooster snuff can.


In an attempt to shed this moniker, several community groups decided to plant extensive beds of red roses along all the roads leading into Samson. With this planting, they hoped the new slogan "City of a Million Roses" would take root. However, as the roses gradually disappeared, the old slogan resurfaced.
In an attempt to shed this moniker, several community groups decided to plant extensive beds of red roses along all the roads leading into Samson. With this planting, they hoped the new slogan "City of a Million Roses" would take root. However, as the roses gradually disappeared, the old slogan resurfaced.{{cn|date=December 2025}}
 
===2009 shooting===
{{main|Geneva County shootings}}
On March 10, 2009, in the Alabama towns of [[Kinston, Alabama|Kinston]], Samson and [[Geneva, Alabama|Geneva]], the deadliest mass shooting in the state's history took place in Geneva County. Twenty-eight-year-old Michael McLendon began this massacre by killing his mother and burning down her house in Kinston. He then headed east about 10 miles on Highway 52 and went on an hour-long shooting spree with two high-powered weapons in downtown Samson and a few of its neighborhoods. McLendon then headed to Geneva. McLendon killed ten people and wounded six others in the shooting rampage before committing suicide.
In response, troops from nearby [[Fort Rucker]] were deployed to the streets of Samson, where they manned barricades and guarded a makeshift morgue. This was later determined to be in violation of the [[Posse Comitatus Act]], which prohibits federal troops from performing law enforcement actions.<ref>[http://www.military.com/news/article/troop-use-after-ala-shootings-illegal.html?col=1186032310810 "Troop use After Ala. Shootings Illegal"] - Military.com</ref>
 
Reportedly, McLendon had talked to a confidant about being depressed and frustrated with his inability to become a Marine or a police officer.


The town's current motto is "Samson...We Grow Friendly People." A Samson High School student devised the slogan during a high school contest. This contest received more than 50 entries, and the student emerged as the winner, earning $100. The contest committee deemed his slogan, "Samson-we grow friendly people," as a representation of the agricultural aspect and the amicability of the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Samson |url=https://www.cityofsamson.com/community.html |access-date=January 5, 2024 |website=www.cityofsamson.com}}</ref>
Authorities also said McLendon admitted in a two-page, handwritten letter that he had killed his mother and planned to commit suicide. He mentioned a family dispute over a legal issue but did not reveal plans to kill anyone else. Investigators said they found the letter in a mailbox. They would not disclose its intended recipient.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2009 |title=Ala. shooter was depressed over failures |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29665786 |access-date=January 5, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
Samson is located at {{coord|31|6|45|N|86|2|52|W|type:city}} (31.112574, -86.047865).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.6|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|3.6|sqmi|km2}} is land and 0.28% is water.
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.6|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|3.6|sqmi|km2}} is land and 0.28% is water.


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===2000 census===
===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 2,071 people, 894 households, and 575 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|572.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,016 housing units at an average density of {{convert|280.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 77.11% White, 20.42% Black or African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.63% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 2.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]] there were 2,071 people, 894 households, and 575 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|572.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,016 housing units at an average density of {{convert|280.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 77.11% White, 20.42% Black or African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.63% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 2.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
Of the 894 households 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 33.3% of households were one person and 16.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.
Of the 894 households 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 33.3% of households were one person and 16.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.


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*[[Roy Brooks]] — guitarist, lived in Samson from 1971 to 1983
*[[Roy Brooks]] — guitarist, lived in Samson from 1971 to 1983
* [[Terry Owens (American football)|Terry Owens]] — football player, [[San Diego Chargers]]; graduated from Samson High School in 1962<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofsamson.com/success.html |title=Success Stories |publisher=Cityofsamson.com |accessdate=June 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125054135/http://www.cityofsamson.com/success.html |archivedate=January 25, 2013 }}</ref>
* [[Terry Owens (American football)|Terry Owens]] — football player, [[San Diego Chargers]]; graduated from Samson High School in 1962<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofsamson.com/success.html |title=Success Stories |publisher=Cityofsamson.com |accessdate=June 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125054135/http://www.cityofsamson.com/success.html |archivedate=January 25, 2013 }}</ref>
*[[James Thomas Jr.|James "J.T." Thomas, Jr.]] — winner of [[Survivor: Tocantins]]
*[[James Thomas Jr.|James "J.T." Thomas Jr.]] — winner of [[Survivor: Tocantins]]
*[[Bill Yates]] — cartoonist, born in Samson
*[[Bill Yates]] — cartoonist, born in Samson
==2009 shooting==
{{main|Geneva County shootings}}
On March 10, 2009, in the Alabama towns of [[Kinston, Alabama|Kinston]], Samson and [[Geneva, Alabama|Geneva]], the deadliest mass shooting in the state’s history took place in Geneva County. Twenty-eight-year-old Michael McLendon began this massacre by killing his mother and burning down her house in Kinston. He then headed east about 10 miles on Highway 52 and went on an hour-long shooting spree with two high-powered weapons in downtown Samson and a few of its neighborhoods. McLendon then headed to Geneva. McLendon killed ten people and wounded six others in the shooting rampage before committing suicide.
In response, troops from nearby [[Fort Rucker]] were deployed to the streets of Samson, where they manned barricades and guarded a makeshift morgue. This was later determined to be in violation of the [[Posse Comitatus Act]], which prohibits federal troops from performing law enforcement actions.<ref>[http://www.military.com/news/article/troop-use-after-ala-shootings-illegal.html?col=1186032310810 "Troop use After Ala. Shootings Illegal"] - Military.com</ref>
Reportedly, McLendon had talked to a confidant about being depressed and frustrated with his inability to become a Marine or a police officer.
Authorities also said McLendon admitted in a two-page, handwritten letter that he had killed his mother and planned to commit suicide. He mentioned a family dispute over a legal issue but did not reveal plans to kill anyone else. Investigators said they found the letter in a mailbox. They would not disclose its intended recipient.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2009 |title=Ala. shooter was depressed over failures |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29665786 |access-date=January 5, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Coord|display=title|31.112574|-86.047865}}
{{Geneva County, Alabama}}
{{Geneva County, Alabama}}


Latest revision as of 02:41, 16 December 2025

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Settlement short description".Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".Expression error: Unexpected < operator. Samson is a city in Geneva County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Dothan, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,874, a decline from the figure of 1,940 tabulated in 2010. Samson incorporated in 1905 (according to the 1910 U.S. Census), although other sources cited 1906.[1]

The town's current motto is "Samson...We Grow Friendly People." A Samson High School student devised the slogan during a high school contest. This contest received more than 50 entries, and the student emerged as the winner, earning $100. The contest committee deemed his slogan, "Samson-we grow friendly people," as a representation of the agricultural aspect and the amicability of the town.[2]

History

During the Great Depression, the T.S. Faulk and Company Store in downtown Samson purchased a large shipment of snuff, which remained stationary at the town's depot for an extended period of time. This led to Samson being nicknamed "Snuff City, U.S.A." The nickname is commemorated today with a New Year's drop of a Rooster snuff can.

In an attempt to shed this moniker, several community groups decided to plant extensive beds of red roses along all the roads leading into Samson. With this planting, they hoped the new slogan "City of a Million Roses" would take root. However, as the roses gradually disappeared, the old slogan resurfaced.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

2009 shooting

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". On March 10, 2009, in the Alabama towns of Kinston, Samson and Geneva, the deadliest mass shooting in the state's history took place in Geneva County. Twenty-eight-year-old Michael McLendon began this massacre by killing his mother and burning down her house in Kinston. He then headed east about 10 miles on Highway 52 and went on an hour-long shooting spree with two high-powered weapons in downtown Samson and a few of its neighborhoods. McLendon then headed to Geneva. McLendon killed ten people and wounded six others in the shooting rampage before committing suicide.

In response, troops from nearby Fort Rucker were deployed to the streets of Samson, where they manned barricades and guarded a makeshift morgue. This was later determined to be in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits federal troops from performing law enforcement actions.[3]

Reportedly, McLendon had talked to a confidant about being depressed and frustrated with his inability to become a Marine or a police officer.

Authorities also said McLendon admitted in a two-page, handwritten letter that he had killed his mother and planned to commit suicide. He mentioned a family dispute over a legal issue but did not reveal plans to kill anyone else. Investigators said they found the letter in a mailbox. They would not disclose its intended recipient.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Script error: No such module "convert"., of which Script error: No such module "convert". is land and 0.28% is water.

Demographics

<templatestyles src="US Census population/styles.css"/>

Historical population
CensusPop.Template:Sronly%±
19101,350—
19201,646Script error: No such module "String".%
19301,656Script error: No such module "String".%
19402,182Script error: No such module "String".%
19502,204Script error: No such module "String".%
19601,932Script error: No such module "String".%
19702,257Script error: No such module "String".%
19802,402Script error: No such module "String".%
19902,190Script error: No such module "String".%
20002,071Script error: No such module "String".%
20101,940Script error: No such module "String".%
20201,874Script error: No such module "String".%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
2013 Estimate[6]

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2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 2,071 people, 894 households, and 575 families living in the city. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 1,016 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the city was 77.11% White, 20.42% Black or African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.63% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 2.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[7] Of the 894 households 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 33.3% of households were one person and 16.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.

The age distribution was 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.

The median household income was $18,594 and the median family income was $25,188. Males had a median income of $25,767 versus $16,719 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,834. About 29.2% of families and 33.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.1% of those under age 18 and 32.0% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 1,940 people, 814 households, and 513 families living in the city. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 968 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the city was 73.3% White, 17.9% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 5.2% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. 8.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[8] Of the 814 households 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 32.3% of households were one person and 13.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.05.

The age distribution was 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% 65 or older. The median age was 38.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median household income was $18,768 and the median family income was $25,060. Males had a median income of $29,167 versus $19,682 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,606. About 31.6% of families and 32.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.7% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census

Samson racial composition[9]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 1,236 65.96%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 300 16.01%
Native American 16 0.85%
Asian 4 0.21%
Other/Mixed 85 4.54%
Hispanic or Latino 233 12.43%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,874 people, 763 households, and 434 families residing in the city.

Notable people

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ "Troop use After Ala. Shootings Illegal" - Military.com
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Template:Authority control

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