High Prairie, Missouri facts for kids
High Prairie is a small, quiet place in Webster County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It's what we call an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and people living together, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town does. Instead, it's part of the larger county's rules and services. High Prairie is located right next to the Osage Fork Gasconade River. You can find it along Missouri Route 38, about 4.8 miles west of another small place called Duncan.
History of High Prairie
Early Days and the Post Office
High Prairie has a short but interesting history. A long time ago, in 1872, a special building called a post office was opened there. A post office is where people send and receive letters and packages. This was very important before phones and the internet, as it was the main way people communicated over long distances. The High Prairie post office helped connect the community to the rest of the world.
How High Prairie Got Its Name
The post office in High Prairie stayed open for almost 20 years, closing in 1891. The community itself was named after a "prairie" that was nearby. A prairie is a large area of flat or gently rolling grassland, often without many trees. The word "High" likely meant that this prairie was on higher ground compared to other areas around it. So, the name "High Prairie" perfectly described the natural landscape of the area where the community grew.
