May, Missouri facts for kids
May is a small, quiet place in the northwest part of McDonald County, Missouri. It's not a city or a town with its own government, but rather an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that are part of the larger county, rather than having their own mayor or town council. May is located right next to Buffalo Creek, which is a small stream. It's also about one mile south of the line that separates McDonald County from Newton County.
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community like May is a place where people live close together, but it doesn't have its own official local government. Instead, the county government handles services like roads and law enforcement for these areas. Many small communities across the U.S. state of Missouri and other states are unincorporated.
A Look Back: May's History
Even though May is a small community today, it once had its own post office! A post office is where people send and receive mail. The May post office first opened its doors in 1884. It served the community for many years, helping people connect with others through letters and packages. However, it eventually closed down in 1907.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The name "May" for this community has a couple of interesting stories behind it. Some people believe the place was named after a young girl called May Maynard. She was the daughter of a local doctor who lived in the area.
However, other people think the name came directly from the doctor's last name, Maynard. It's common for communities to be named after important local figures or families who helped settle the area. We may never know for sure which story is the true one, but both ideas connect the community to the Maynard family.
