McAllaster, Kansas facts for kids

McAllaster is a place known as a ghost town in Logan County, Kansas, in the United States. A ghost town is a community where most or all of its residents have moved away, often leaving behind empty buildings and a quiet, deserted feeling. McAllaster was once a small, active community, but today, very little remains.

The Story of McAllaster: A Kansas Ghost Town

McAllaster began its life as a planned community. It was officially platted in 1887. To "plat" a town means to draw up a map showing how the land will be divided into streets, blocks, and lots for buildings. This was a common way for new towns to be organized in the American West.

Life in McAllaster: A Brief History

For many years, McAllaster was a small but functioning community. Like many towns, it had a post office. A post office is a vital part of any community, allowing people to send and receive mail, which was especially important before the internet and cell phones. The McAllaster post office served the town's residents for decades.

However, over time, the population of McAllaster began to shrink. People moved away, perhaps looking for better opportunities in larger towns or cities. Eventually, there were not enough people left to keep the post office running. The McAllaster post office was officially discontinued in 1953. This meant it closed down, and residents had to go to another town to send or receive their mail.

What Remains Today

Today, McAllaster is truly a ghost town. Only one house is left standing from what was once a small community. This single building is a quiet reminder of the people who once lived and worked there, and the history of a town that faded away.