Hams Prairie, Missouri facts for kids

Hams Prairie is a small, quiet place in Callaway County, Missouri, in the United States. It's known as an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town does. Instead, it's part of the larger county.

Where is Hams Prairie Located?

Hams Prairie is found in the central part of Missouri. It's about 5.5 miles (or 9 kilometers) south-southeast of a bigger town called Fulton. You can reach Hams Prairie by traveling along Missouri Route C. If you continue south on Route C for another six miles, you'll reach Mokane, which is near the Missouri River.

How Did Hams Prairie Get Its Name?

The name "Hams Prairie" comes from a person named Reverend John Ham. He was a Methodist minister who arrived in Callaway County way back in 1815. A year later, in 1816, he carved his name into a tree at the edge of a large, grassy area known as a prairie. That prairie, and later the community, became known as Hams Prairie in his honor.

A Look Back in Time

For a while, Hams Prairie even had its own post office! It was first opened in 1865. This post office helped people send and receive mail in the area. However, it didn't stay open forever. The Hams Prairie post office closed down in 1907.