Sterling Landing, Missouri facts for kids

Sterling Landing, also known simply as Sterling, was once a small town in Lincoln County, Missouri. Today, it is considered an extinct town, which means it is a place where people used to live but no longer do. It's like a "ghost town" where buildings might still stand, but the community has vanished.

What is a Ghost Town?

A ghost town is a place that was once a lively community but is now mostly empty. People leave ghost towns for many reasons. Sometimes, a natural resource like a mine runs out. Other times, a new road or railway bypasses the town. This can make it hard for businesses to survive.

The Start of Sterling Landing

Sterling Landing was officially planned and marked out in 1836. This process is called "platting." When a town is platted, people draw maps showing where streets, lots, and public spaces will be. This helps organize how the town will grow. Many towns in the United States were platted in the 1800s as the country expanded.

Named After a Riverboat Captain

The town of Sterling Landing was named after a riverboat captain. In the 1800s, rivers were like highways. Riverboats were very important for moving goods and people. Captains of these boats were often well-known and respected. Naming a town after a captain showed how important river travel was to the area. A "landing" was a place where boats could stop to load or unload.

Why Did Sterling Landing Disappear?

The exact reasons why Sterling Landing became a ghost town are not fully known from historical records. However, many small towns from that era disappeared for common reasons. Changes in transportation, like the rise of railroads, often made river landings less important. If a town's main purpose was tied to river trade, it might fade away when that trade moved elsewhere.