Redtop, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Redtop, Missouri
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 Redtop, Missouri
Location in Missouri
Redtop, Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States  |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Dallas |
| Township | Jasper |
| Elevation | 371 m (1,217 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 737911 |
Redtop is a small, unincorporated community located in Dallas County, Missouri, United States. An unincorporated community is a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
Redtop is found just west of U.S. Route 65. It is about 9 miles (14 km) south of the town of Buffalo. This community is also part of the larger Springfield metropolitan area. This means it's connected to the bigger city of Springfield, Missouri for things like jobs and services.
How Redtop Got Its Name
The community of Redtop has an interesting story about how it got its name. It all started with a post office!
Early Names for the Post Office
A post office was first set up in Redtop around 1889. It was initially named "Cassity" after the postmaster, T.N. Cassity. However, this name caused some confusion. There was another post office in southern Missouri called "Cassidy," which sounded very similar.
To avoid mix-ups, the name was changed to "Marmaduke." This new name honored John S. Marmaduke, who was a Confederate general.
The "Redtop" Suggestion
The name "Marmaduke" turned out to be too long for the postal stamp or "postal ring" used at the time. So, the post office needed another name change.
It was T.N. Cassity's wife who came up with the perfect idea: "Redtop." This name came from a type of grass called Agrostis gigantea, also known as redtop grass. This grass grew in a large field right behind the store where the post office was located. When the grass was fully grown, it had a reddish color, making "Redtop" a fitting and unique name for the community.
The post office was later moved to a spot along U.S. Route 65.
