Protem, Missouri facts for kids
Protem is a small, quiet community located in the southeastern part of Taney County, Missouri. It's not a city or a town with its own local government, which is why it's called an unincorporated community. Think of it as a neighborhood that's part of a larger county.
Protem: A Small Missouri Community
Protem is found along Route 125, a road that helps people travel through the area. It's also very close to the border between Missouri and Arkansas, only about two miles north of the state line. This community is considered part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area. A micropolitan area is a region that includes a city and its surrounding communities, all connected by daily life and work.
How Protem Got Its Name
The community of Protem has had a post office since 1875, which means it's been a recognized place for a long time. The name "Protem" comes from a Latin phrase, pro tem. This phrase means "for the time being" or "temporary." The story goes that when the first settlers were trying to decide on a name for their new community, they couldn't agree on one. So, they picked "Protem" as a temporary name. But, as often happens, the temporary name stuck and became the permanent one!