Torch, Missouri facts for kids

Torch is a small, quiet place in the U.S. state of Missouri. It's known as an unincorporated community, which means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own official town government like a city does. You can find Torch in the southeastern part of Ripley County.

Torch is located along Missouri Route H. It's nestled between two other small places: Glenn, which is to its southwest, and Hemenway, which is to its northeast.

The Story Behind the Name

Even though it's a small community, Torch once had its own post office! This post office opened in 1920. It helped people send and receive mail for many years before it closed down in 1954.

So, how did this community get the name "Torch"? Well, there's a cool story about it. Long ago, there was a lumber mill nearby. A lumber mill is a place where trees are cut into wood for building. This mill would often have lots of leftover wood scraps. Instead of letting them pile up, the workers would regularly burn these scraps outside. This burning created big flames, like a giant torch! Because of this regular "torching" of wood, the community became known as Torch.