Turley, Missouri facts for kids
Turley was once a small town in Texas County, Missouri, in the United States. Today, it's known as an "extinct town" or a "ghost town," meaning it no longer has people living there or businesses operating. It was located near Roubidoux Creek, not far from the town of Plato.
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What Was Turley Like?
Turley was a busy little community for many years. It had important places like a post office, a church, a school, and even a large mill. People in the area relied on Turley for their daily needs and to connect with others.
A Look Back at Turley's History
The town of Turley got its name from a person named Turley Embree. He was the son of one of the first people to run the post office there.
The Post Office
The Turley post office first opened its doors in 1886. It served the community for many years, helping people send and receive letters and packages. The post office stayed open until 1949, when it finally closed down.
The Liberty Baptist Church
The Liberty Baptist Church was a very important place in Turley. It was one of the first churches ever started in Texas County, back in 1848. The first church building was built in 1857. Even today, a second church building, though old and worn, still stands next to the cemetery.
The Liberty School
A few years after the church was built, the Liberty School was also started in Turley. This school helped educate the children of the community, giving them a place to learn and grow.
The Big Mill of Turley
One of the most important buildings in Turley was its large mill. This mill was a central part of the town's life for many years.
How the Mill Worked
The mill first used a water wheel to grind corn into flour. It used large stone grinding wheels. Later, new machines called roller mills were added to make flour even better. These new machines were powered by steam. The mill was very busy, often running from early morning until late at night, six days a week!
The Mill's Size and End
The Turley mill was a tall building with three stories. It kept working until around the year 1900, using power from a big wooden water wheel. The steam engine and other machinery continued to be used until the mill finally stopped operating completely around 1935.
Turley's Businesses and Community Life
At its busiest, Turley had several important businesses and meeting places.
Stores and Services
The town had a drug store, where people could get medicines. There was also a doctor to help people when they were sick. Turley had three store buildings, and two of them even had special meeting halls upstairs.
The J. M. Gladden General Store
One of the most famous stores was the "J. M. Gladden" General Store. This store was very important because it also housed the post office! The post office was set up on a raised platform at the back of the store. People said this store sold "everything anybody ever needed!"
Community Meetings
Many groups met in Turley. These included the Masons, the Odd Fellows, and the Woodsmen of the World. These groups were like clubs where people could gather, socialize, and help each other.
