Hooker, Missouri facts for kids
Hooker is what people call a ghost town in Pulaski County, Missouri, in the United States. It used to be located along the famous U.S. Route 66, which is now known as Missouri Supplemental Route Z. A ghost town is a place where people once lived and worked, but now almost no one lives there, and many buildings are gone.
What is Hooker?
Hooker is a ghost town, meaning it's a former community where almost nothing is left. It was once a small settlement in Missouri. Today, you won't find any buildings or shops there. The only thing that remains is the Hooker Cemetery, where many of the people who once lived in the area are buried.
The Story of Hooker
The community of Hooker got its start around 1900. That's when a post office was opened there, which helped the small town grow. The name "Hooker" came from a man named Mr. Hooker, who owned the land where the town was built. The post office served the community for many years, but it eventually closed in 1955.
Route 66 and Hooker
Hooker was closely connected to U.S. Route 66, often called "The Main Street of America." This famous highway was built to help people travel across the country. Over time, parts of Route 66 were changed to make travel faster and easier. A new section of the highway was built that went around Hooker. This new road also bypassed another nearby town called Devils Elbow. When the main road moved away, fewer people stopped in Hooker, and the town slowly faded away, becoming a ghost town.
What Remains Today?
Even though the town itself is gone, the Hooker Cemetery is still there. It serves as a reminder of the people who once lived in this small community. Many families from the area have loved ones buried in this quiet cemetery.
