Nance, Missouri facts for kids

Nance was once a small town in the eastern part of Taney County, located in the beautiful Ozarks region of southwest Missouri. Today, it's known as an extinct town or a ghost town, meaning it no longer exists as a populated place. The United States government's Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) still lists it as a place where people once lived.

The Story of Nance: A Lost Town's History

The area where Nance once stood had a few different names over the years. At first, it was known as Bauff. Later, it was called Dit.

Post Office and Changing Names

A post office, which is where people send and receive mail, was first opened in 1858 under the name Bauff. It stayed open for many years but then closed in 1894.

A few years later, in 1899, the post office reopened, but this time it was called Dit. Then, in 1908, its name changed again to Nance. This final name was chosen to honor a local person named Jeff Nance, who was a civil servant. A civil servant is someone who works for the government to help the public. The Nance post office eventually closed for good in 1925.

Nance Schoolhouse

Like many small communities, Nance also had its own school. It was called the Nance Schoolhouse. This school is no longer in use today, just like the town itself.

Where Was Nance Located?

The site where Nance once stood is in a scenic area of the Ozarks. It was built on the east bank of a stream called the west fork of Big Creek.

Finding Nance on the Map

If you were looking for Nance on a map, it was about one mile north of U.S. Route 160. It was also about 1.7 miles west of the border between Taney County and Ozark County. The area where the town was located sits at an elevation of 876 feet above sea level.