Rail, Missouri facts for kids
Have you ever heard of a ghost town? A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but now it's mostly empty. The town of Rail was once a small community in the beautiful Ozarks region of southern Missouri, United States. Today, Rail is considered an extinct town, meaning it no longer exists as an active community. It's like a town that has disappeared from the map of living places.
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What Was Rail?
Rail was a small, populated place in the eastern part of Wright County, Missouri. It was officially recognized as a populated place by the GNIS, which stands for Geographic Names Information System. This system keeps track of all the names and locations of places in the United States.
Where Was Rail Located?
This former community was situated on the west bank of a stream called Beaver Creek. If you were looking at a map, Rail would have been just southeast of where two main roads, Missouri Route 38 and Missouri Route 95, cross each other. This area is known for its rolling hills and natural beauty, typical of the Ozarks.
A Look at Rail's History
Like many small towns, Rail had its own post office. A post office was very important for a community because it allowed people to send and receive letters and packages. The post office in Rail first opened its doors in 1888. It served the community for nearly two decades before it closed down in 1906. The town itself was named after a local family, the Rail family, who likely lived in the area.
Why Do Towns Become Extinct?
Towns like Rail become "extinct" for many reasons. Sometimes, the main industry that supported the town, like a mine or a mill, closes down. Other times, people move away to find better jobs or opportunities in bigger cities. Changes in transportation, like new roads or railroads bypassing a town, can also cause it to shrink and eventually disappear. Rail's story is a small piece of the larger history of how communities grow and change over time.
