Lakeland, Missouri facts for kids

Lakeland is a small, quiet place in Shelby County, located in the U.S. state of Missouri. When we say "unincorporated community," it means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially part of a city or town. It doesn't have its own local government like a mayor or city council. Instead, it's usually managed by the county government.

The History of Lakeland: A Post Office and a Mystery

Lakeland had a post office that opened in 1857. This was a busy place where people could send and receive letters. However, it didn't stay open for very long. The post office closed just three years later, in 1860.

Why the Name "Lakeland"?

One interesting thing about Lakeland is its name. "Lakeland" makes you think of a place with many lakes. But the strange part is that there were no known lakes near where the community was first located. It's still a mystery why the early settlers chose this name for the area.