Moore, Archie, 1913-98, American boxer, b. Benoit, Miss., as Archie Lee Wright. He claimed to have been born in 1916 in Collinsville, Ill. He first boxed professionally as a middleweight in 1935 or 1936, winning his first 13 matches by knockouts. In a long and colorful career Moore, a clever boxer and dangerous puncher, engaged in 220 recorded bouts and scored 136 knockouts, a record in boxing history. In 1952 he won the light heavyweight title from Joey Maxim, holding it until 1962. Moore twice fought for the heavyweight championship—in 1955 he was beaten by Rocky Marciano, and in 1956 he lost to Floyd Patterson.

orig. Archibald Lee Wright

(born Dec. 13, 1913, Benoit, Miss., U.S.—died Dec. 9, 1998, San Diego, Calif.) U.S. boxer. Moore began boxing in the 1930s but had difficulty advancing because contending fighters thought him too formidable. In 1952 he defeated Joey Maxim to win the world light-heavyweight championship. He held the crown until 1962, when he was disqualified for failing to meet the leading contender, Harold Johnson. From 1936 to 1963 he fought 229 bouts and won 194 of them, 141 by knockouts. He later became a film actor and youth worker.

Learn more about Moore, Archie with a free trial on Britannica.com.

orig. Archibald Lee Wright

(born Dec. 13, 1913, Benoit, Miss., U.S.—died Dec. 9, 1998, San Diego, Calif.) U.S. boxer. Moore began boxing in the 1930s but had difficulty advancing because contending fighters thought him too formidable. In 1952 he defeated Joey Maxim to win the world light-heavyweight championship. He held the crown until 1962, when he was disqualified for failing to meet the leading contender, Harold Johnson. From 1936 to 1963 he fought 229 bouts and won 194 of them, 141 by knockouts. He later became a film actor and youth worker.

Learn more about Moore, Archie with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Archie is a city in Cass County, Missouri, United States. The population was 890 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Archie is located at (38.482566, -94.352586).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.7 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 890 people, 360 households, and 249 families residing in the city. The population density was 868.8 people per square mile (336.9/km²). There were 390 housing units at an average density of 380.7/sq mi (147.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.99% White, 0.79% Native American, and 0.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.34% of the population.

There were 360 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,944, and the median income for a family was $42,404. Males had a median income of $37,583 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,051. About 3.5% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

Archie hosts an annual tractor pull in September, which is now in 28th year.

Archie also hosts the longest running high school basketball tournament in the state, which is nearing the 80th year.

History

The Town of Archie was founded in 1880, being platted in July of that year, the town owes its existence to the railroad that was being constructed through the middle of Cass County. The Archie Town Company and R.T. Railey, the agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, sold lots through their trustee, William H. Barrett. The railroad superintendent, H.C. Talmage, named the depot and town for his youngest son, Archie Talmage.

The railroad reached the new town in August 1880, and the town boomed with new construction and new businesses. H. T. Carr had the first store open and was the postmaster. In August there was a grocery store, drug store, lumber yard and 2 saloons. The lumber yard sold a large quantity of lumber for, by September, a restaurant, livery stable, drug store, harness shop, grain elevator blacksmith shop 2 dry goods stores and 2 grocery stores.

Two towns, Austin and Everett, had previously served the farming community of the south central Cass County. A few of the merchants and townsmen of these two towns moved to Archie, but Austin maintained a viable economy for a number of years.

The population of the town grew amid a boom in the mid 1880s but by the 1890 census had fallen to 278 and remained in that range for decades. The population in the1960 census shows moderate growth to 348. Steady growth since that time has led to the population of 799.

The early Postmasters combined their government jobs with ownership of a store where the post office was located. The post office moved about depending on which merchant was awarded the political plum.

The churches of Archie have played an important role in the history of the community. Four Churches have a long histories in the town.

Archie began as a trade point, connecting by means of the railroad, the outside world with the local farmers in south Cass County. The town did not grow substantially beyond this initial purpose. In the early 1800s two businesses existed in town that gave some hope for more substantial growth: a steam powered flour mill and a coal mine. The town did see economic and demographic growth in the mid 1880s, but the two businesses ceased to exist later in the decade and the boom died.

There have been very few manufacturing businesses in Archie that could have led to more complex and viable economy. As transportation technology allowed easier travel, the number and profitability of local businesses declined, and the town became a bedroom community. As the business community declined in importance, the school had become the focus of the community.

Education

Archie is home to Archie High School. The school mascot is the Whirlwinds. The school website is available here.

References

External links