Reeds Spring Junction, Missouri facts for kids
Reeds Spring Junction is a small, unincorporated community located in eastern Stone County, Missouri. An "unincorporated community" means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. This community got its name because it was once located at an important crossroads. Here, U.S. Route 160 met Route 248, a road that led to the city of Reeds Spring just two miles away. Before it was known as Reeds Spring Junction, the area was called Stults.
Over time, the main highway was changed. U.S. Route 160 was rebuilt to go around the city of Reeds Spring. This also meant the intersection where Reeds Spring Junction was located moved. Now, the community is found where Route 248 meets a local county road called Old US Highway 160.
Reeds Spring Junction is also part of the larger Branson, Missouri area. This area is known as the Branson Micropolitan Statistical Area, which helps describe how different towns and communities are connected economically.
What is a Micropolitan Area?
A "micropolitan statistical area" might sound complicated, but it's actually pretty simple! It's a way for the government to define a small city or town and the surrounding areas that are closely connected to it. These areas usually have at least 10,000 people but fewer than 50,000.
Why are Micropolitan Areas Important?
These areas are important because they show how people live and work. Many people who live in the smaller communities around a central town might work in that town. They share services and businesses. The Branson Micropolitan Area includes Branson and nearby communities like Reeds Spring Junction. This means they are all part of the same local economy.
Where is Reeds Spring Junction?
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) helps us find exact locations for places like Reeds Spring Junction. It's like a big online map and dictionary for names of places in the United States. GNIS records show the location of Reeds Spring Junction. They also show where the older community of Stults was located. Stults was about two miles northeast of Reeds Spring.
