Idalia, Missouri facts for kids
Idalia is a small, unincorporated community located in Stoddard County, Missouri, United States. It is found about six miles northeast of the town of Dexter. Being "unincorporated" means it's a community without its own local government.
What is Idalia?
Idalia is a quiet place in Missouri. It's not a city or a town with its own mayor or city council. Instead, it's a collection of homes and land within Stoddard County.
A Look at Its History
Idalia has a history that dates back to the late 1800s. A post office was opened there in 1889. This post office served the community for many years, finally closing its doors in 1966. The community is said to have been named after the daughter of the person who first owned the land where Idalia was founded.
The Railroad's Role
The St. Louis Southwestern Railway played a big part in Idalia's past. The community was an important stop along the railway line. It was known as Station I-44 and had a special system to pick up mail from moving trains. This was done using a "mail crane." In 1939, the railway station, called a depot, was sadly destroyed in a train accident.
Life in Early Idalia
In the 1930s, Idalia was a very small community. In 1934, it had a population of about 30 people. Many residents likely worked in farming, as was common in rural Missouri during that time.
