Paw Paw, Missouri facts for kids
Paw Paw is a small, historic community located in Sullivan County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is officially listed as a "populated place" by the GNIS (Geographic Names Information System), which keeps track of places in the United States.
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What is Paw Paw?
Paw Paw is a community in Sullivan County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It's considered a "populated place" by the GNIS, which is like an official list of places in the United States. Today, Paw Paw is mostly a historic site, sometimes called a "ghost town" because many people no longer live there.
Where is Paw Paw Located?
This community is found in the south-central part of Sullivan County. It's about one-third of a mile north of a stream called Paw Paw Creek. If you were to look on a map, Paw Paw is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) south-southeast of a town called Milan. It's also about six miles (9.7 km) northeast of another town, Browning.
How Did Paw Paw Get Its Name?
The name of the community was sometimes spelled "Pawpaw." It is believed that the area was named "Paw Paw" because of the many paw paw thickets that grew near where the original town was built.
The Paw Paw Tree
The paw paw tree (scientific name: Asimina triloba) is a small tree that grows fruit. This fruit is often called a paw paw, and it looks a bit like a mango or a short, thick banana. It has a sweet, tropical flavor. These trees are native to the eastern and central parts of the United States, including Missouri.
When Was Paw Paw Active?
Even though it's a quiet place now, Paw Paw once had its own post office. A post office called Pawpaw was opened in 1899. It served the community for several years before closing down in 1905.
