Alpha, Missouri facts for kids

Alpha is a small, unincorporated community located in Grundy County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. An unincorporated community means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town does.

Alpha: A Look Back in Time

The Early Days of Lickskillet

The community of Alpha began around 1850. It was first known by a different name: Lickskillet. This was when a man named Samuel Dunham decided to open a store there. Over time, more people moved to Lickskillet, and it started to grow.

At its busiest, Alpha (then Lickskillet) had about 200 people living there. It was a lively place with many businesses. You could find a grocery store to buy food and supplies. There were also two blacksmith shops, where people made and repaired metal tools. A dry goods store sold fabrics and other household items. The community also had two drug stores for medicines.

For industry, there was a water-powered mill, which likely ground grain. A furniture factory also operated in the area, making items for homes. To care for the community's health, four doctors practiced in Alpha.

The Railroad's Big Change

A major change came to Alpha in 1887. The Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul Railroad Company decided to build a new town. They established this town, called Laredo, on the west side of Medicine Creek. Alpha was on the east side of the creek, so the railroad tracks bypassed it.

Laredo became an important railway division point. This meant it was a key stop for trains traveling between Kansas City and Ottumwa, Iowa. Because of this, many jobs and opportunities went to Laredo. This left Alpha behind.

As Laredo grew, many people and businesses from Alpha started to move there. They wanted to be closer to the new jobs and the busy railroad. This shift caused Alpha to shrink. Eventually, the Alpha Post Office, which handled mail for the community, closed its doors in 1904. This marked the end of Alpha as a thriving, active community.