Burr Oak, Missouri facts for kids

Burr Oak is a place in Lincoln County, Missouri, that used to be a small community but is now considered an extinct town. This means it no longer has a population or official local government. It's like a "ghost town" where people once lived and worked.

What Was Burr Oak?

Burr Oak was a small settlement that grew up around a few important places. It was never officially a city or a town, even though some local people might have called it that. Instead, it was known as a township. A township is a type of local government area, often smaller than a city, used for things like land division and local services.

The Story of Its Name

The name "Burr Oak" comes from the burr oak trees that grew nearby. These are special American oak trees known for their large acorns. The acorns have cups with a unique, burr-like texture. The community was named for a group of these trees near where the settlement first started.

Over time, the name of the place changed a few times:

• It was first known as "Burr Oak Valley."
• Later, it was shortened to "Burroak."
• Finally, it became "Burr Oak."

A Busy Mill and Post Office

For a while, Burr Oak was also called "Robinson's Mill." This was in honor of George Robinson, who owned a lumber mill there. A lumber mill is a place where trees are cut into wood for building and other uses. This mill was an important part of the community.

Burr Oak also had its own post office, which was a big deal for a small community.

• A post office called "Burr Oak Valley" opened in 1875.
• The name changed to "Burroak" in 1895.
• It changed again to "Burr Oak" in 1899.
• However, the post office eventually closed in 1905. When the post office closed, it often meant that the community was shrinking or people were moving away.

Why Communities Become Extinct

Communities like Burr Oak can become extinct for many reasons. Sometimes, people move away because jobs disappear, or new roads and transportation routes bypass the area. In the past, many small towns grew up around specific industries, like a lumber mill. If that industry closed down, the town might not have enough to keep going.

Today, Burr Oak remains a part of Lincoln County's history, a reminder of the small settlements that once dotted the landscape of Missouri.