Kerrigan, Missouri facts for kids
Kerrigan was once a small community, now known as a ghost town, located in the southwestern part of Wayne County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. A ghost town is a place where most or all people have left, often because the main reason for the town's existence disappeared.
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The Story of Kerrigan
This community was built on a ridge. It sat about 200 feet above the east bank of the Black River. This spot was known as Granite Bend.
Why Kerrigan Was Important
The main reason Kerrigan existed was for its granite. People quarried, or dug up, granite from this area. This valuable stone was then moved by a railroad. The railroad tracks followed the east bank of the river, making it easy to transport the granite.
How Kerrigan Began and Ended
Kerrigan was officially planned and laid out in 1886. This happened when the railroad lines were extended to reach that specific location. Before the town was even laid out, a post office opened in 1884. It was also named Kerrigan. This post office served the community for many years, but it finally closed in 1934. After the post office closed, the town slowly faded away, becoming a ghost town.
Who Was Kerrigan?
The community was named after a man named William Kerrigan. He was an important official who worked for the railroad company.
