Dalton Vocational School

Dalton is best known as the site of the Dalton Vocational School, originally the Barlett Agricultural and Industrial School, also referred to as the "Tuskegee of the Midwest" or "Missouri Tuskegee".^[9] It was founded in 1907 by Nathaniel Bruce, a student and disciple of Booker T. Washington. The first permanent building was erected in 1909 after flooding forced a move to higher ground. In 1923, the school received funds from the state legislature to construct a model farm home, trade shop, and hog and poultry houses. Eventually the campus would expand to 123 acres (0.50 km²). Bruce shared Washington's view that a practical education for African American youth was best. The emphasis was on vocational and agricultural training. African American students from a relatively wide geographical area were bussed to Dalton where they studied agriculture, industrial arts, and home economics.^[10][11]

The demonstration farm and school came under the supervision of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture in 1924. Eventually Lincoln University, a then all-Black college in Jefferson City, took control of the school. The Supreme Court's 1954 ruling that schools were to be integrated forced the closing of Dalton Vocational School; the last school year was 1955–1956. Buildings and property were later sold at auction. The campus has sat empty since that time and all but two of the buildings are gone.^[10]

Recent

Large portions of the 1973 Tom Sawyer film were filmed at the Dalton Cut-Off, especially footage that featured shots of Tom and Huck's adventures on the Missouri River.^[12]

In 1979, Dalton resident Rod Skillman was a walk-on for the Missouri football team at defensive tackle and later played professionally for the New Jersey Generals ('83–'84) and Hamilton Tiger-Cats ('84–'92).^[13]

As for the village of Dalton today, the decline of the rural economy and flooding have taken their toll. The 1993 flood reduced Dalton to a grain elevator, a post office, two churches, a community center and a few houses. But the small community still celebrates its heritage with the annual Dalton Days festival.^[7]

Today, the Dalton Cut-Off is part of what waterfowl enthusiasts call the "Golden Triangle" because it winters an exceptionally large number of birds.^[14]

Dalton Vocational School Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.^[15]

2010 census

As of the census^[17] of 2010, there were 17 people, 9 households, and 6 families living in the village. The population density was 94.4 inhabitants per square mile (36.4/km²). There were 18 housing units at an average density of 100.0 per square mile (38.6/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 70.6% White and 29.4% African American.

There were 9 households, of which 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.3% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.89 and the average family size was 2.17.

The median age in the village was 63.2 years. 11.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 0% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 5.9% were from 25 to 44; 47% were from 45 to 64; and 35.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 58.8% male and 41.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[3] of 2000, there were 27 people, 12 households, and 9 families living in the town. The population density was 152.5 inhabitants per square mile (58.9/km²). There were 24 housing units at an average density of 135.6 per square mile (52.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 55.56% White and 44.44% African American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.11% of the population.

There were 12 households, out of which 16.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 33.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.56.

In the town the population was spread out, with 18.5% under the age of 18, 14.8% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 33.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females, there were 58.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 46.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,500, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $0 versus $11,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,492. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.