Hobart, Missouri facts for kids
Hobart was once a small town in Lincoln County, Missouri, in the United States. Today, it is known as an extinct town or a "ghost town." This means that people no longer live there, and it has faded away over time.
Hobart is listed by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) as a place that used to have people living in it.
What Was Hobart Like?
Hobart had its own post office, which is a place where people send and receive mail. The post office opened in 1897. It stayed open for a few years, but then it closed down in 1903. This often happens when a town starts to lose its residents.
Where Did the Name Hobart Come From?
The town of Hobart was named after an important person: Garret Hobart. He was the 24th Vice President of the United States. A Vice President is the second-highest official in the executive branch of the U.S. government. They work closely with the President. Garret Hobart served as Vice President from 1897 until he passed away in 1899. It was common for towns and places to be named after famous or important people during that time.
Why Do Towns Become Extinct?
Many small towns in the United States, especially in rural areas, have become extinct over the years. This can happen for several reasons:
- Changes in transportation: When new roads or railroads were built, they sometimes bypassed smaller towns. This made it harder for people and goods to get to and from the town.
- Economic changes: If the main industry in a town (like farming or mining) declined, people would move away to find work elsewhere.
- Natural disasters: Sometimes, floods, fires, or other disasters could destroy a town, and people might not rebuild it.
- People moving to bigger cities: Over time, many people moved from small towns to larger cities looking for more opportunities.
Hobart's short life, with its post office closing after only six years, suggests that it was a very small community that likely faced some of these challenges.
