Donia, Missouri facts for kids
Donia was once a small town in St. Clair County, Missouri, in the United States. Today, it's considered an "extinct town" or a ghost town because no one lives there anymore. The GNIS lists it as a place that used to have people.
Contents
What is a Ghost Town?
A ghost town is a place that was once a lively community but is now mostly empty. This can happen for many reasons. Sometimes, the main reason people lived there, like a mine or a factory, closes down. Other times, new roads or railways are built far away, making it hard for people to get to the town. When people move away, buildings are left empty, and the town slowly fades away.
The Story of Donia
Donia was a small community that existed for a short time. It even had its own post office!
Donia's Post Office
A post office opened in Donia in 1896. This was an important place where people could send and receive letters and packages. Having a post office usually meant a town was growing and had enough people to need one. However, Donia's post office didn't stay open for very long. It closed its doors in 1906, just ten years after it started. This short lifespan often signals that the town itself didn't last much longer.
How Donia Got Its Name
The name "Donia" has an interesting origin. It's a shortened version of "Caledonia." The town was named after Caledonia Bunell Dade. She was the wife of the person who originally owned the land where Donia was built. It was common for towns to be named after important people or families in the area.
Where Was Donia?
Donia was located in St. Clair County, Missouri. This county is in the western part of Missouri. While the town no longer exists, its location is still recorded.
