Ingalls, Missouri facts for kids
Ingalls was a small community in Polk County, Missouri, in the U.S. state of Missouri. Today, it is known as an extinct town, or a 'ghost town,' meaning people no longer live there.
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What Was Ingalls?
Ingalls was once a small settlement located in Polk County, Missouri. Like many places in the past, it started as a small group of homes and businesses. Over time, for different reasons, people moved away, and the town became empty. This is why it is now called a 'ghost town.'
The Post Office Story
A very important part of any community in the past was its post office. It was how people sent and received letters, news, and packages. The Ingalls post office opened its doors in 1890. It served the local people for many years. However, it closed down in 1914. This often happens when a town starts to shrink.
How Ingalls Got Its Name
The name 'Ingalls' came from a local family. Their name was actually 'Inglis.' But when the post office was set up, there was a mistake in the spelling. The name was written down as 'Ingalls' instead of 'Inglis.' This spelling error was never fixed, and so the town became known as Ingalls.
Why Do Towns Become Extinct?
Many small towns, like Ingalls, become extinct for several reasons. Often, the main reason people settled there changes. For example, a town might have grown because of a mine or a specific type of farming. When the mine closed or the farming became difficult, people moved away to find new opportunities.
Changes in Transportation
New roads and railways also played a big part. If a town was not on a new main road or railway line, it became harder for people to get there. Businesses might move to places that were easier to reach. This made it tough for small, isolated towns to survive.
Moving to Bigger Cities
Over time, many people also started moving to bigger cities. Cities offered more jobs, schools, and services. This trend, called urbanization, meant that small rural communities often lost their residents. As people left, the towns slowly faded away.
