Forest Springs, Missouri facts for kids
Forest Springs was once a small town in Knox County, Missouri. Today, it is known as an extinct town or a ghost town. This means it used to be a lively place, but now it's empty, with few or no people living there.
Contents
The Story of Forest Springs
How Forest Springs Began
Forest Springs started in the year 1882. It began when a special kind of health resort, called a mineral spa, opened there. A mineral spa is a place where people would visit to bathe in or drink natural spring water. Many believed this water had healing powers.
The Post Office and Its Changes
In the same year, 1882, a post office was opened in Forest Springs. This was important because it helped people send and receive letters and packages. It made the town feel more connected.
A few years later, in 1895, the name of the post office changed slightly. It went from "Forest Springs" to "Forestsprings" (all one word). However, the post office did not stay open for long after that. It closed its doors in 1899.
Why Towns Become Extinct
When a town's main reason for existing, like a popular spa or a busy post office, fades away, the town often does too. People move to other places for work or better opportunities. This is how places like Forest Springs become ghost towns. They are a reminder of the past, showing where people once lived and worked.
