Howland, Missouri facts for kids

Howland was once a small town in Putnam County, Missouri, in the United States. Today, it's known as an extinct town or a ghost town, meaning it no longer exists as a populated place. The U.S. government's Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) still lists it as a former populated spot.

What is a Ghost Town?

A ghost town is a place that used to be a town or city but is now mostly empty. People have left, and many buildings might be abandoned or gone. Howland became a ghost town after its residents moved away over time.

Howland's History

Howland was officially planned and mapped out, a process called platting, in 1873. This means that in that year, someone laid out the streets and lots for the new community.

The Post Office

A post office is a very important part of any town, helping people send and receive mail. Howland got its own post office in 1873, the same year the town was platted. This post office served the community for many years. However, it eventually closed down in 1932. When a post office closes, it often means that fewer people are living in the area, or the town is shrinking.

The Mystery of the Name

It's a bit of a mystery why this community was named "Howland." Historians and researchers don't know the exact reason or who it might have been named after. Many towns are named after important people, local landmarks, or even early settlers, but Howland's name origin remains unknown.