Ballard, Missouri facts for kids
Ballard is a small community located in the state of Missouri, in the United States. It's found in the northeast part of Bates County. Even though it's a smaller place, it's considered part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. This means it's near a big city, but still has its own quiet feel.
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Where is Ballard Located?
Ballard is situated on Missouri Route 18. It's about four miles west of the county line that separates Bates County from Henry County. Another town, Adrian, is about ten miles to the west, along U.S. Route 71. The land around Ballard is also shaped by small streams that flow into North Deepwater Creek to the south.
The History of Ballard
How Ballard Got Its Name
The community of Ballard was named after a respected person named Hon. J. N. Ballard. He was an important figure in the area, serving as a county judge. Later, he became a state senator, helping to make laws for the entire state of Missouri.
Early Services in Ballard
For a short time, Ballard had its own post office. This was a place where people could send and receive mail. However, over time, the way mail was delivered changed. The post office in Ballard was eventually replaced by something called Rural Free Delivery (RFD). RFD meant that mail carriers would deliver mail directly to people's homes in rural areas, instead of them having to go to a post office.
In 1918, a history book about Bates County mentioned that Ballard had a "mercantile store." This was like a general store where people could buy many different kinds of goods. The book described it as having a "nice, clean stock of merchandise," meaning it was a well-kept and organized place to shop.
Education in Ballard
The children in the Ballard community attend schools within the Ballard R-2 School District. This district is responsible for providing education for students living in the area.
