Terre Haute, Missouri facts for kids

Terre Haute was once a small town located in Putnam County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. Today, it is considered an "extinct town," which means it no longer exists as a populated place. Sometimes, these are called "ghost towns" because the people have moved away, and only traces of the old community remain. The GNIS (Geographic Names Information System) still lists it as a place that once existed.

The Story of Terre Haute

Terre Haute has an interesting history, even though it's no longer on the map. Learning about towns like this helps us understand how communities grow and sometimes disappear.

Where Was Terre Haute Located?

Terre Haute was situated in Putnam County, which is in the northern part of Missouri. This area was settled by pioneers who were looking for new places to build homes and communities.

How Did Terre Haute Begin?

The town of Terre Haute was officially planned out, or "platting" as it's called, in 1858. When a town is platted, it means its streets, lots, and public areas are carefully mapped out. The town was named after a larger city, Terre Haute, Indiana. It was common for new settlements to be named after places the settlers had come from, or after other well-known towns.

Life in Terre Haute: A Look Back

Even though it was a small place, Terre Haute had important services for its residents.

• Post Office: A post office was opened in Terre Haute in 1862. This was a very important place for people to send and receive letters, which was their main way of communicating with family and friends far away. The post office stayed open for many years, finally closing in 1891.
• Schoolhouse: The community also had a schoolhouse, known as the Terre Haute School. Schools were the heart of many small towns, providing education for children and often serving as a meeting place for the community.

Why Did Terre Haute Disappear?

Many small towns in the United States, especially those founded in the 1800s, eventually became extinct. This can happen for several reasons:

• People might move away to larger cities for better jobs or opportunities.
• New roads or railroads might bypass the town, making it less important for travel and trade.
• Local resources, like farming land or mines, might become less productive.

For Terre Haute, like many other small settlements, the reasons were likely a combination of these factors, leading to its quiet disappearance over time.