Gads Hill, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gads Hill
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 Gads Hill
Location in Missouri
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Wayne |
| Elevation | 843 ft (257 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
63957
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| GNIS feature ID | 750014 |
Gads Hill is a small, unincorporated community located in northwestern Wayne County, Missouri, United States. An unincorporated community is a place that doesn't have its own local government. It is situated on Missouri Route 49, a road that connects different towns. You can find Gads Hill about halfway between the towns of Des Arc and Piedmont.
Contents
The History of Gads Hill
Gads Hill was founded in 1872 by a person named George W. Creath. The community was named after the country home of a famous writer, Charles Dickens. His home was also called Gads Hill.
Name Changes Over Time
For a short period, the community's name was changed. In 1887, it became known as Zeitonia. However, this name did not last forever. The residents decided to change it back to Gads Hill in 1906.
Gads Hill and the Railroad
In the late 1800s, Gads Hill was an important stop for trains. It had a train station on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway line. This railway helped connect many towns and transport goods and people.
The Famous Train Robbery
Gads Hill became famous for a surprising event that happened there. On January 31, 1874, it was the site of the first train robbery in Missouri. This event is known as the Gads Hill Train Robbery.
What Happened During the Robbery
At 3:00 in the afternoon, a group of outlaws known as the James-Younger gang boarded the train. They then proceeded to rob the passengers on board. It was a very unusual and shocking event for the time.
How Much Was Taken
The exact amount of money and valuables stolen was never fully confirmed. However, newspapers from that time reported different estimates. They suggested that the gang took anywhere from about $2,000 to $22,000. This was a very large sum of money back then.
