Sligo, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sligo, Missouri
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Community
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 Sligo, Missouri
Location in Missouri
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| Country | U. S. A. |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Dent County |
| Elevation | 324 m (1,063 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Sligo is a small community in Dent County, Missouri, USA. It's not a city with its own government, but a place where people live together. It was started in 1886.
You can find Sligo off Route 19 on Missouri Route TT. It is about 16 miles northeast of Salem. The community is near Crooked Creek, which flows into the Meramec River. South of Sligo is the Indian Trail Conservation Area.
Contents
Sligo's Early Days
How Sligo Started
Sligo began because of an iron ore factory. The Sligo Furnace Company built a large furnace in 1880. This furnace helped create many jobs for people in Dent County and nearby areas.
A town quickly grew around the furnace. It was named Sligo, just like the company that built the furnace.
Life in a Company Town
Many people moved to Sligo looking for work. As more workers arrived, the company built houses for them. These homes were rented for a small fee, usually $1 or $2 each month.
The company also built a store, a barber shop, a Post Office, and a school. At its busiest time, over 3,000 people worked in the Sligo community. The town's population grew to more than 1,000 people.
Early residents often hunted and fished for food. This helped them save money they would otherwise spend at the company store. People also enjoyed local dances for fun.
For some years, Sligo did not have a church or a religious leader. The company superintendent was in charge of many rules. For example, places like saloons and gambling halls were not allowed by the company. If a worker caused trouble, they could lose their job.
Community and Churches
Forming a Church Community
Eventually, people from Sligo and nearby areas decided to form a church. They started holding services in the Sligo schoolhouse. This building is still used today as a "Community Building" for local meetings and events.
This early church welcomed different Christian groups and speakers. It helped bring people together in the community.
The Methodist Church in Sligo
In 1898, James G. McRoberts became the superintendent of the Sligo Furnace Company. He moved his family to Sligo from St. Louis. His wife, Sophie, was a strong Methodist. She wanted to make sure there was a Christian group in Sligo before moving.
The Sligo Methodist Church officially started on March 8, 1903. Reverend A. P. George helped organize it. Five people were the first members, including Mrs. Sophie McRoberts.
The Sligo Furnace Company helped build the church building. They also paid half of the pastor's salary until the company closed in 1921. Before the church building was finished, services were held in the schoolhouse. Today, the Sligo United Methodist Church still holds Sunday services in that same building.
