Spencer, Missouri facts for kids
Spencer is a small place in Lawrence County, Missouri, in the United States. It's not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it's a "crossroads," meaning it's a spot where important roads meet. Spencer is located along an old part of U.S. Route 66, which was once a very famous highway. It is about 6 miles (10 kilometers) west of a town called Halltown.
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A Look Back at Spencer's History
Spencer got its name from a local business owner. A post office opened there in 1868. This meant people could send and receive mail in Spencer. The post office stayed open for many years, until 1907.
By the 1910s, the roads around Spencer were not in good condition. Fewer people lived there. But then, something important happened. In 1925, a man named Sydney Casey bought land in Spencer. He knew that the new U.S. Route 66 would pass right through this area.
How Route 66 Changed Spencer
Sydney Casey decided to build several buildings in Spencer. These included a barber shop, a general store, a cafe, and a gas station. He built them to serve the many travelers who would soon be driving on Route 66. These buildings helped Spencer become a busy stop for people on their journeys. This continued until 1961. At that time, the main Route 66 was changed. It no longer went directly through Spencer. This meant fewer travelers stopped there.
Spencer Station: A Famous Stop
Spencer is most famous for a group of buildings called Spencer Station. These buildings are all connected. They include a historic Phillips 66 gas station and garage. There is also a diner, a barber shop, and a general store.
The general store was built first, in 1926. The gas station was built in 1927. Then, in 1928, the two separate buildings were joined together. The barber shop and diner were added at this time.
Bringing Spencer Station Back to Life
Today, Spencer Station is being repaired and made new again. The people working on it plan to open it up once more. It will become a diner where you can eat. There will also be a museum about the barber shop and another museum about the general store. Plus, there will be a gift shop where visitors can buy souvenirs.
