Fair Grove, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fair Grove, Missouri
|
|
|---|---|
| Nickname(s):
"The Old Mill Town"
|
|
| Motto(s): | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Greene |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.19 sq mi (8.25 km2) |
| • Land | 3.19 sq mi (8.25 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,211 ft (369 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 1,582 |
| • Density | 496.39/sq mi (191.67/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
65648
|
| Area code(s) | 417 |
| FIPS code | 29-23338 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0717724 |
| Website | http://fairgrove.org |
Fair Grove is a city located in Greene County, Missouri, in the United States. In 2020, the city had a population of 1,582 people. It is part of the larger Springfield Metropolitan Area.
Contents
A Look Back at Fair Grove's History
Fair Grove got its name from early settlers who moved there from Fairgrove, North Carolina. They saw a beautiful group of trees, a "fair grove," that reminded them of their old home. A post office, where people send and receive mail, opened in Fair Grove way back in 1856.
One important building in Fair Grove is the Boegel and Hine Flour Mill-Wommack Mill. This old mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This means it's a special place recognized for its historical importance.
Where is Fair Grove Located?
Fair Grove is located in Missouri. It's about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) north of a bigger city called Springfield. You can find it along U.S. Route 65.
The city covers a total area of about 3.18 square miles (8.25 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the city limits.
Fair Grove's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 72 | — | |
| 1970 | 431 | — | |
| 1980 | 863 | 100.2% | |
| 1990 | 919 | 6.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,107 | 20.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,393 | 25.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,582 | 13.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Fair Grove in 2010
According to the census from 2010, there were 1,393 people living in Fair Grove. These people lived in 529 households, and 389 of those were families. The city had about 438 people per square mile (169 people per square kilometer).
Most of the people living in Fair Grove in 2010 were White (97.4%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 2.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (40.5%) had children under 18 living with them. Most households (56.5%) were married couples living together. The average household had 2.63 people, and the average family had 3.08 people.
The average age of people in Fair Grove was 34.3 years old. About 29.1% of residents were under 18, and 11.2% were 65 or older.
Education in Fair Grove
The Fair Grove R-10 School District serves students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. The school district is located at 132 N. Main Street in Fair Grove.
For many years, the Fair Grove School District has received the highest award from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This award is called "Accredited with Distinction in Performance." This means the schools are doing a fantastic job!
The district has about 1,140 students. They learn in different buildings for different age groups: PreK–4th grade, 5th–8th grade, and 9th–12th grade. Besides regular classes, students can take special classes for extra help, advanced courses, and even college-level courses.
In 2007, people in Fair Grove voted to approve a "tax bond." This is like a special loan that helps pay for big projects. Because of this, a new Middle School was built and opened in 2008.
In 2013, Fair Grove also built a new storm shelter, also known as a safe room. This building was partly funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It's a safe place for students and the community to go during a tornado warning. This safe room was even shown on the "Today" show!
In 2009, part of Fair Grove High School was damaged during a big storm. Since then, the community has worked to make sure the school and its students are safer.
Arts and Culture in Fair Grove
One of the most exciting events in Fair Grove each year is the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion. This big festival happens every year on the last full weekend in September.
The festival started in 1978 as the Fair Grove Arts and Crafts Festival. A couple named Dan and Betty Manning organized it. They invited 12 local artists and craftspeople to sell their handmade items in the town square.
At that first festival, an old cookshack served traditional foods like brown beans, poke greens, homemade fruit cobbler, and cornbread. A small parade kicked off the two-day event. People also learned how to split logs and make shingles. You could even find Sassafras tea, pawpaws, and hickory nuts.
Since those early days, the festival has grown a lot! Now, between 40,000 and 50,000 people attend on Saturday, and about 30,000 on Sunday. There are almost 400 booths, and many of them show how things are made, like weaving, bobbin lace, and soap making. The two-day event still has a parade and a church service in front of the historic mill.
There are many fun activities at the festival. Some favorites include grinding corn at the Boegel & Hine Flour Mill, watching working draft teams (like horses pulling plows), an antique tractor rodeo, and wheat threshing. You can also see old gasoline engines and steam-powered engines. They even show how corn shredders and corn shellers work!
In 2012, the festival had an estimated 80,000 visitors. In 2007, the parade was the longest ever, lasting over three hours, to celebrate the festival's 40th Anniversary.
See also
In Spanish: Fair Grove (Misuri) para niños
