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Dayton, Missouri facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Dayton is a small, quiet place in the southeastern part of Cass County, in the state of Missouri. It's not a big city but a community where people live. You can find it near other towns like Garden City, which is five miles north, and Creighton, about 6.5 miles east. Dayton is also part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area, which is a big group of cities and towns. The area around Dayton has natural beauty, like the Settles Ford Conservation Area along the South Grand River. The community itself sits on a raised area, called a ridge, with two creeks nearby: Sugar Creek to the west and Lick Branch to the east.

The History of Dayton

How Dayton Got Its Name

Dayton has a long history. A special office for sending mail, called a post office, first opened here in 1856. It helped people send and receive letters for many years, staying open until 1918. The community was named after a person named William L. Dayton. He was a very important person in American politics at the time. In 1856, he ran for a high position called Vice President of the United States. This means he was hoping to be the second-highest leader in the country.

Protecting the Community

Today, the people of Dayton are kept safe by the GCFPD Station 2. This is a fire department station that is located right in the middle of the town. It helps protect homes and people in the area.

Dayton During the Civil War

During a very difficult time in American history, the American Civil War, Dayton faced a big challenge. On January 1st, 1862, the town was sadly burned down. This happened because Union soldiers, who were fighting in the war, set fire to the town.

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Dayton, Missouri Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.