Ellis, Missouri facts for kids

Ellis is a small place in Vernon County, Missouri. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a city or town with its own local government.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

An unincorporated community like Ellis is a collection of houses and buildings. It doesn't have its own mayor or city council. Instead, it's usually governed by the county it's located in. People living in these areas still share a sense of community.

The Story of Ellis: A Brief History

Ellis has an interesting past. It was first called "Prewitt." This name was given when the area was officially mapped out in 1876. To "plat" a place means to draw a map showing its streets and property lines.

Later, in 1877, a post office opened there. It was named Ellis. This post office helped people send and receive mail. It stayed open for many years, finally closing in 1903. Local stories suggest the name "Ellis" came from a person who worked for the railroad.