Alley Spring, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alley Spring
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Alley Spring, Mill, and bluff in autumn
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 Alley Spring
Location in Missouri
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Shannon |
| Township | Eminence |
| Elevation | 679 ft (207 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 713232 |
Alley Spring is a small, special place in Shannon County, Missouri, in the United States. It's not a big city, but a quiet community. You can find it about six miles west of Eminence along Route 106.
This area is famous for the beautiful Alley Mill, also known as the "Old Red Mill." It sits right by a natural spring and is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Today, the Mill is a museum where you can learn about the history of the Ozarks. Nearby, there's also an old one-room schoolhouse and a general store. These buildings help you imagine what life was like long ago.
Alley Spring used to have its own post office, but it closed in 1974. Now, mail for the area comes from Eminence. The community is named after John Alley, who was a miller (someone who grinds grain into flour). Before it was called Alley Spring, it had longer names like Mammoth Spring and Barksdale Spring. But the Post Office Department thought these names were too long, so they renamed the village after John Alley.
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A Look Back: Alley Spring's History
The first post office in Alley Spring opened in 1884. It was simply called "Alley" back then. In 1950, the name was changed to Alley Spring. The post office served the community for many years before closing its doors in 1974. The area was named after John Alley, who originally owned the land where the community grew.
Exploring Alley Spring's Nature
The National Park Service takes care of a large campground at Alley Spring. It's a great place for families and friends to stay and enjoy nature. You can also find a small convenience store and places to rent canoes. Canoeing is super popular on the Jacks Fork River, which flows right through Alley Spring. It's a fun way to explore the beautiful Ozark landscape.
Fun Events: Arts and Culture
Alley Spring hosts a special yearly event called "The Haunting in the Hills." This event is all about showing off traditional Ozark skills and crafts. It also features a storytelling session called "Tales from Ozark's Dark Side." It's a chance to hear exciting and sometimes spooky stories from the region's past. This annual event happens on the second weekend of October, and it's completely free for everyone to enjoy!
Images for kids
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The mill at Alley Spring is now part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways park.
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The mill from the spring
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Alley Spring in the autumn, facing the mill
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Alley Springs Mill in autumn
