Melva, Missouri facts for kids

Melva was once a small town in southern Taney County, located in the beautiful Ozarks region of southwest Missouri. Today, it is known as an extinct town, or a "ghost town," meaning it no longer exists as a populated place. You can still find some remains of Melva, like old building foundations, at its original site.

What Happened to Melva?

Melva was situated south of Hollister, right on the east bank of Turkey Creek. It was also located along the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which was important for transportation back then. The town's story took a very sad turn on March 11, 1920. On that day, a powerful and deadly tornado struck Melva. The tornado completely destroyed the town and tragically caused the deaths of 11 people, including 9 children. This devastating event led to the end of Melva as a town.

How Melva Got Its Start

Melva began as a small community. A post office was opened there in 1906, helping people send and receive mail. The post office stayed open for many years, finally closing in 1931. The town got its unique name from a railroad official who worked in the area. He decided to name the community after his daughter, Melva.

A Notable Person from Melva

Even though Melva was a small town and didn't last very long, a famous person was born there. Gale Wade (1929-2022), who later became a professional baseball player, was born in Melva.