West Union, Missouri facts for kids

West Union was once a small town in Cass County, in the state of Missouri. Today, it is known as an "extinct town" or a ghost town, meaning it no longer exists as a populated place.

What Was West Union?

An extinct town, sometimes called a ghost town, is a place where people once lived and worked, but which has since been abandoned or disappeared. West Union is one such example in Missouri. It was a small community that had its own post office, which was important for people to send and receive mail.

The Short History of West Union

West Union was officially planned and mapped out, a process called "platting," in 1872. This means that its streets and building lots were laid out on a map, ready for people to build homes and businesses. Before the town was even platted, a post office was opened there in 1871. This post office served the community for many years, helping people connect with the outside world. However, the post office eventually closed its doors in 1903, marking the end of a key service for the town. After this, West Union gradually faded away, becoming the extinct town it is known as today.