Gatewood, Missouri facts for kids
Gatewood is a small, quiet place in southwest Ripley County, Missouri, United States. It's known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and people, but it doesn't have its own official local government like a city or town does. You can find Gatewood about fourteen miles west-southwest of a larger town called Doniphan, right along Route 142.
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a place where people live close together, but it's not officially a city or town. It doesn't have its own mayor or city council. Instead, it's usually governed by the county it's in. People in these communities often share services with nearby towns or the county government.
A Glimpse into Gatewood's Past
Gatewood has a bit of history! A post office was opened there way back in 1854. Post offices were very important for sending letters and packages before the internet. This post office served the community for a long time, finally closing its doors in 2001. The community itself was named after an important early settler, Richard Gatewood. He was a "pioneer citizen," meaning he was one of the first people to settle and build a life in that area.
