Fourteen Bend, Missouri facts for kids

Fourteen Bend was once a small community in Pemiscot County, Missouri, in the U.S. state of Missouri. Today, it is known as an "extinct town" or a ghost town, meaning it no longer exists as a populated place.

What Was Fourteen Bend?

Fourteen Bend was a small settlement that existed for a time in Missouri. Like many early towns, its location was very important. It was situated right next to the mighty Mississippi River.

Why the Name "Fourteen Bend"?

The name Fourteen Bend tells us something special about its location. The community was named because it was near the fourteenth major bend or curve in the Mississippi River. This count started from Cairo, Illinois, and went downstream. Rivers often have many bends, and this particular one was significant enough to give the town its unique name.

Life by the River

Life in a river town like Fourteen Bend would have been closely tied to the Mississippi River. Rivers were like the highways of the past. They were used for travel, trade, and moving goods. People might have worked on riverboats or helped load and unload supplies. The river provided water and was a central part of daily life for the people living there.

Why Did Fourteen Bend Disappear?

Many small towns, especially those along rivers, can become extinct over time. There are several reasons why a town might disappear. Sometimes, the river itself changes course, moving away from the town. Other times, new roads or railroads are built, making river travel less important. Economic changes or people moving to larger cities for work can also cause a town to shrink and eventually vanish. The exact reasons for Fourteen Bend's disappearance are not widely known, but it likely faced similar challenges that led to its end as a populated place.