Burnham, Missouri facts for kids

Burnham is a small community located in Howell County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It's an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. You can find Burnham about halfway between the towns of Willow Springs and Pomona. It's also very close to U.S. Route 63 and sits right along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad line. This railway connects the cities of Springfield and Memphis. The Lost Camp Creek also begins its journey just north of Burnham.

A Look Back at Burnham's History

Burnham was officially planned and mapped out in 1882. This process is called "platting," which means someone drew a detailed map showing how the land would be divided into lots for buildings and streets. The community was named after a man named C. B. Burnham. He was an important official for the railroad company. Many towns in the past were named after people who helped establish them, especially if they were connected to the railroads that brought growth and people to new areas.

A post office opened in Burnham in 1883. A post office was a very important place for people to send and receive letters and packages. It served as a central point for communication for the community. The Burnham post office operated for many years, helping residents stay connected. However, it eventually closed its doors in 1951.