Civil War era

Although Sikeston was a small village during the Civil War, its position at the railroad and highway intersection gave it strategic significance. Around July 1861, Confederate forces of Brigadier General Gideon Johnson Pillow planned to link up with units commanded by Sterling Price and Benjamin McCulloch for an advance on St. Louis, using the Sikeston-area road of Kingshighway. In preparation for this advance, Confederate General Jeff Thompson gathered Missouri state troops and irregulars near Sikeston; he robbed a bank in nearby Charleston to pay men and buy arms and supplies. Legend has it that he hid part of his money in Sikeston under one of the oak trees at the corner of New Madrid Street and Kingshighway.

In the fall of 1861, General Pillow pushed a column of troops from New Madrid towards Sikeston and Cape Girardeau. On October 4, Confederate General Jeff Thompson reached Sikeston, planning to strike Cape Girardeau; however, his manpower was limited, and he decided to retreat into the swamps off to the west. On November 3, from Cairo, Illinois, US Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant wrote a letter to Colonel Richard J. Oglesby, commander of the Union Headquarters District Southeast Missouri at Bird's Point, ordering his troops to "strike for Sikeston" from the Mississippi River town of Commerce. Brigadier General Benjamin Prentiss and Colonel W. H. L. Wallace also converged in the Sikeston area in preparation of Grant's attack at the Battle of Belmont.

In 1862, Sikeston was used as a transportation connection as Union Brigadier General Pope sent his artillery across the river to Commerce, Missouri, to be sent by rail to Sikeston for cart transportation to New Madrid, in preparation for the Battle of Island Number Ten. On February 28, 1862, Pope left Commerce with his army of 12,000, arriving in Sikeston on March 2. US Colonel William Pitt Kellogg, future governor of Louisiana, commanding the 7th Illinois cavalry, was the first to encounter the rebel sabotage of recently burned bridges and other obstructions. The federals were attacked just south of Sikeston by a small group of rebels led by General Thompson (he was called the Swamp Fox, a nickname after the Revolutionary War Brigadier General Francis Marion). Thompson commanded a detachment of 85 horsemen and four to six experimental cannons that had been manufactured in Memphis. Seeing that Colonel James Morgan's Illinois troops were reinforced by Brigadier General Schuyler Hamilton's 2nd Division, Thompson fled.

Entering the area from Bird's Point, Brigadier General Eleazor Arthur Paine, commander of the 4th Division of Army of the Mississippi, repaired the railroad and telegraph lines and used troops from Illinois to form a garrison for Sikeston, Bertrand, and Charleston. War records indicate that on March 31, 1862, there were six Union officers and 143 Union soldiers present in Sikeston. On September 22, 1864, during Price's Raid, a Confederate force of 1,500 men near Sikeston, under the command of Colonel William Lafayette Jeffers, attacked Captain Lewis Sells' company of Union soldiers who were moving from Cape Girardeau to reinforce two companies of soldiers in Bloomfield.^[7]

Post Civil War era

One of the first rail lines west of the Mississippi River ran to Sikeston, and it was the terminus of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad until 1872. By 1900, Sikeston had a population of 1,100, and two drainage ditches had been completed. By this time, the city had two banks, two newspapers, and three hotels. One of the hotels built between 1895 and 1898 was a three-story brick hotel later known as the Marshall-Dunn Hotel. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Prominent individuals who stayed at this hotel included Harry S. Truman, Alben W. Barkley, and Tom Pendergast.^[8]

World Wars era

During World War I, an infantry company was organized in Sikeston on August 25, 1917, until the spring of 1919. Company K became part of the 140th Infantry, 70th Brigade, U.S. 35th Infantry Division and fought in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. It also served as part of the occupation force of Europe. In 1920, American Legion Post 114 was chartered for the community of Sikeston and named after Henry Meldrun, a Sikeston native who was killed in Europe during World War I.^[9] Between the two world wars, Company K was reorganized. The company helped secure rail centers during the railroad workers' strike of 1922, helped out with the aftermath of the Poplar Bluff tornado of May 1927, and worked on the Mississippi River levees during the floods of 1927 and 1937. In 1941, Company K was sent to Camp Joseph T. Robinson, near Little Rock, where they drilled for eight months.

The Sikeston Memorial Municipal Airport was built in the 1930s, opening in July 1934. From 1940 until 1944, it was known as Harvey Parks Airport. Long barrack-style buildings were constructed to hold the Missouri Institute of Aeronautics, established after General Hap Arnold asked flight training operations to triple their enrollments. The first U.S. Army Air Corps inspection officials arrived in July 1940 with the first flight cadet arriving that September. In June 1940, a home at West Gladys and New Madrid streets was transformed into a district infirmary in coordination with the building of the new air barracks.^[10] World War II flying aces Robert S. Johnson and Harold E. Comstock trained at this location. The original gated entrance to Harvey Parks Airport now serves as the entrance to the city's Veterans Park.

During World War II, local National Guard unit Company K was assigned to the Western Defense Command in California. Sikeston-area students helped raise money to have three B-25 bombers named the Spirit of Sikeston, The Sikeston Bulldog, and one other. These three planes were supposedly used in the Doolittle Raid, during which they went down and are at the bottom of the Pacific between Japan and China. The local International Shoe Company factory had a contract for a major shoe order for the US Army during the war.

Post World War era

Following World War II, Miner was founded as the next city. The city was first known as Minner, in honor of one of the original residing landowners. However, the name was altered when the railroad inadvertently omitted an "n" from the switching station, renaming it Miner Switch. In 1951, the city became incorporated due to modern-day pioneer William Howard McGill.

In 2000, the remains of Mason Yarbrough, a Sikeston native and World War II marine, were found in the Pacific area on Makin Island and returned to his hometown for a military funeral. The George E. Day Parkway is named for Medal of Honor recipient Colonel George E. "Bud" Day, an F-100 Super Sabre pilot who is the only known American POW to escape into South Vietnam. He was later recaptured and sent to the Hanoi Hilton.

Sikeston is home to the Missouri National Guard unit Company C 1140th Engineer Battalion, which took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2004 until February 2005. Company C has been restructured from an engineering unit to a detachment of the 1221st Transportation Company, headquartered in Dexter, Missouri.

Weather events

Climate

2020 census

The 2020 United States census^[15] counted 16,291 people, 7,273 households, and 4,383 families in Sikeston. The population density was 950.5 per square mile (367.0/km²). There were 8,245 housing units at an average density of 481.0 per square mile (185.7/km²). The racial makeup was 64.42% (10,495) white, 27.7% (4,513) black or African-American, 0.26% (43) Native American, 0.82% (134) Asian, 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander, 1.36% (222) from other races, and 5.4% (880) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.6% (425) of the population.

Of the 7,273 households, 24.6% had children under the age of 18; 38.8% were married couples living together; 36.6% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 35.5% consisted of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.9.

25.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 89.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 82.0 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey^[16] estimates show that the median household income was $42,702 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,514) and the median family income was $57,061 (+/- $10,238). Males had a median income of $35,885 (+/- $5,267) versus $26,312 (+/- $2,894) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $28,729 (+/- $2,602). Approximately, 18.7% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.7% of those under the age of 18 and 8.4% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census^[17] of 2010, there were 16,318 people, 6,749 households, and 4,326 families residing in the city. The population density was 942.1 inhabitants per square mile (363.7/km²). There were 7,289 housing units at an average density of 420.8 per square mile (162.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.95% White, 26.20% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.04% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.32% of the population.

There were 6,749 households, of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples living together, 18.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% 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 2.96.

The median age in the city was 38.5 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.8% male and 54.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[3] of 2000, there were 16,992 people, 6,779 households, and 4,602 families residing in the city. The population density was 947.4 inhabitants per square mile (365.8/km²). There were 7,428 housing units at an average density of 414.2 per square mile (159.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.52% White, 22.36% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.

The major reported ancestries in Sikeston are 17.1% American, 11.8% German, 11.5% Irish, 6.8% English, 2.9% French, and 1.5% Scotch-Irish.

There were 6,779 households, out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,872, and the median income for a family was $36,420. Males had a median income of $31,846 versus $19,623 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,509. About 16.2% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Public schools

Of all residents in Sikeston who are 25 years of age and older, 73.3% hold a high school diploma or higher as their highest educational attainment; 14.2% possess a bachelor's degree or higher; 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree; and 26.7% have less than a high school diploma.

Area elementary schools^[21]

• Lee Hunter Elementary School
• Southeast Elementary School
• Wing Elementary

Area intermediate schools^[21]

• Sikeston Middle High School

Area junior high schools^[21]

• Sikeston Junior High School

Area high schools

• Sikeston High School

Private schools

Sikeston has four private schools that serve both the educational and religious needs of students and their families.

• St. Francis Xavier Catholic School
• Solid Rock Christian Academy
• Southeast Missouri Christian Academy
• The Christian Academy

In 1892, a local high school known as the "Methodist College" was established by the Sikeston Methodist Episcopal Church. The school was disbanded after the public high school was established.

Higher education and technical schools

• Southeast Missouri State University-Sikeston, a satellite campus of Southeast Missouri State University located in Cape Girardeau.
• The Sikeston Career and Technology Center
• Three Rivers Community College, a satellite campus from Poplar Bluff

Transportation

• In 1789, El Camino Real, also known as "The King's Highway," was marked out by orders from the King of Spain. In 1915, the Missouri Daughters of the American Revolution erected a monument near Woodlawn Street in Sikeston to mark this event.^[25] In 1929, the Sikeston portion of the street was paved. Today this road is known as U.S. Route 61.
• The city has a few cobble-stoned streets in its older commercial downtown area.
• The city is served by the BNSF Railway and was historically served by the Union Pacific Railroad until the tracks were removed in 2011.
• Sikeston is located at the intersection of I-55 and I-57, making it the only city in Missouri other than Kansas City, St. Louis, and Miner to be located on at least two interstate highways. Other Sikeston highways include U.S. Route 60, U.S. Route 61, U.S. Route 62, and Route 114. Sikeston's location at the intersection of U.S. Routes 60, 61, and 62 makes the city one of the few towns located at the intersection of three consecutively numbered highways.

Healthcare

Missouri Delta Medical Center was founded in Sikeston in 1948. The 200-bed hospital employs over 600 healthcare workers.

Politicians and attorneys

• Kenny Hulshof, congressman.
• Maida Coleman, Democrat from St. Louis and assistant minority leader in the Missouri Senate, was born in Sikeston in 1954.
• Charles Augustus Crow, Republican one-term congressman born on a farm near Sikeston in 1873.
• Ralph Emerson Bailey, Republican one-term congressman, lived in Sikeston and is buried in the Sikeston city cemetery.
• Alfred C. Sikes, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
• Peter C. Myers, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and state representative.
• George A. Russell, president of the University of Missouri System from 1991 to 1996.

Military leaders

• Harold E. Comstock, World War II flying ace who attended primary flying school at Sikeston.
• Clyde A. Vaughn, lieutenant general who served as director of the Army National Guard.

Business and community leaders

• Gaylon M. Lawrence, agricultural land owner and businessman.
• Thornton Wilson, former Chairman of the Board and Chief executive officer of Boeing was born on a farm near Sikeston.^[26]

Sports figures

• Charlie Babb, professional football player.
• Brandon Barnes, professional football player.
• Kenneth Dement, professional football player.
• Blake DeWitt, professional baseball player.
• Eric Hurley, professional baseball player.
• Ben Plucknett, discus thrower who held the North American record; lived on a farm near Sikeston.^[27]
• Otto Porter, Jr., basketball player for the Golden State Warriors and the Georgetown Hoyas.
• Josef Spudich, professional football player who taught and coached in Sikeston.
• Allyn Stout, professional baseball player; died in Sikeston and is also buried in Sikeston.^[28]
• Matt Whiteside, former MLB Pitcher
• James Wilder Sr., professional football player.^[29] and single-season records^[30]
• George Woods, Olympic silver medalist in shot put in 1968 and 1972.

Television and movie personalities and entertainers

• Jacqueline Scott, actress who made multiple appearances on such television shows as Gunsmoke, The Outer Limits, Bonanza, The Fugitive, Ironside, Planet of the Apes, and Barnaby Jones, was born in Sikeston on New Years Day 1932.()
• Marjorie Montgomery, child actress, dancer, and fashion designer.
• Phil Leslie, head writer for the Fibber McGee and Molly show, was born in Sikeston in 1909
• Sunset Thomas, porn film actress

Musicians

• Neal E. Boyd, born in Sikeston, Missouri, was a pop-opera singer and 2008 winner of America's Got Talent. He was known throughout the world as "The Voice of Missouri."

Authors

• Ronald Anderson, sociology professor and author, born in Sikeston
• Richard B. Hoover, author of 33 volumes and 250 scientific papers, born in Sikeston
• Rex Miller (1939-2004), former detective novelist and disc jockey
• Jean Marie Stine, a writer and publisher who was once editor of Galaxy Science Fiction magazine
• Terry Teachout, critic, biographer, playwright, and blogger
• Robert Vaughan, author of over 200 books has lived in Sikeston

Artists

• Michael Parkes, fantasy artist and former resident of Canalou who was born in Sikeston.