New Harmony, Missouri facts for kids
New Harmony is a small place located in western Pike County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It's known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that don't have their own official local government, like a city or town would. Instead, it's managed as part of the larger county. You can find New Harmony on a county road, just east of Missouri Route V. It's about six miles east of Vandalia and four miles south-southeast of Curryville.
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The Story of New Harmony
How New Harmony Began
New Harmony was officially planned out in 1857. When a community is "platted," it means someone has drawn up a map showing where the streets, roads, and building lots will be. This helps organize how the community will grow.
A Place for Mail: The Post Office
A post office was opened in New Harmony in 1858. Back then, post offices were super important because they were the main way people sent and received letters, news, and packages. It was a vital connection to the outside world. The New Harmony post office served the community for many years before it finally closed down in 1904.
What's in a Name?
Sometimes, New Harmony was also called simply "Harmony." The name "Harmony" suggests a peaceful and agreeable place. It's thought that the name might have come from another place called Harmony in Kentucky, perhaps brought by settlers who moved to Missouri.
