Hematite, Missouri facts for kids
Hematite is a small place in eastern Jefferson County, Missouri, in the United States. It's known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Hematite is located about seven miles northeast of De Soto, along Missouri Route P.
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What is Hematite?
Hematite is a small community in Missouri. It's not a big city, but it has its own history and interesting facts. Being "unincorporated" means that the people living there are part of the larger county government, rather than having their own mayor or town council.
Where is Hematite Located?
Hematite is found in the eastern part of Jefferson County, Missouri. This county is in the state of Missouri. The community is easy to find because it's right on Missouri Route P. It's also not far from the town of De Soto.
How Did Hematite Get Its Name?
The community of Hematite got its name from something very special: the mineral called hematite. There were many deposits of this mineral found nearby.
The Mineral Hematite
Hematite is a common mineral. It's a type of iron ore, which means it's a rock from which we can get iron. Hematite often has a reddish or silvery-gray color. It's used to make steel and other things.
A Look at Hematite's History
The community of Hematite officially started in 1861. This is when its first map, or "plat," was drawn. But even before that, a post office opened in Hematite in 1858. This means people were living and sending mail from there even earlier!
The Nuclear Fuel Plant
For many years, a special factory operated in Hematite. This was the United Nuclear Corporation's reactor fuel production plant. It opened in 1957 and made fuel for nuclear power plants. The plant was an important part of the community for a long time. It finally closed down in 2001.
