Weston, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Weston, Missouri
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
Location of Weston, Missouri
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Platte |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.83 sq mi (9.93 km2) |
| • Land | 3.80 sq mi (9.83 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) |
| Elevation | 971 ft (296 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 1,756 |
| • Density | 462.59/sq mi (178.62/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
64098
|
| Area code(s) | 816 |
| FIPS code | 29-78856 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397282 |
Weston is a small town located in Platte County, Missouri, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,756 people lived there. It's a place with a lot of history and interesting stories!
Contents
History of Weston
The famous Lewis and Clark Expedition once stopped near where Weston's city hall is today. Weston was one of the very first settlements in an area called the Platte Purchase in 1836. This made it the westernmost town in the United States for a while, which is why it might be called "West Town."
Another idea for the name comes from a soldier named Joseph Moore. He bought the land and asked a sergeant named Tom Weston to help plan the town. So, the town might have been named after Sergeant Weston.
Famous Visitors and Trails
A very famous person, William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, once lived in Weston. The town was also a major starting point for several important trails. These included the Santa Fe Trail, the Oregon Trail, and the California Gold Rush trail. Many people passed through Weston on their way to new adventures.
Weston's River Port
Weston used to be a very busy port on the Missouri River. It was even more active than Kansas City and St. Joseph at one point! In 1850, over 265 steamboats docked there each year. However, a big flood in 1881 changed the river's path, moving it about two miles away from the town.
Weston Brewing Company
The Weston Brewing Company started in 1842. It was founded by John Georgian, who was from Germany. This was one of the first breweries in the U.S. to make lager beer. To keep the beer cool, they built five large, arched cellars. These cellars were dug 55 feet underground!
The brewery closed in 1919 because of a law called Prohibition. This law made it illegal to sell alcohol. In 2005, the Weston Brewing Company reopened. One of the old cellars is now a unique bar. To get there, you have to go down a small, rocky tunnel into a cool, cave-like room.
Historic Places
Several places in Weston are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Some of these include the McCormick Distillery, the Missouri District Warehouse, and the Weston Historic District.
Geography of Weston
Weston covers a total area of about 3.35 square miles (8.68 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population of Weston
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 1,915 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,810 | −5.5% | |
| 1870 | 1,614 | −10.8% | |
| 1880 | 1,329 | −17.7% | |
| 1890 | 1,134 | −14.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,019 | −10.1% | |
| 1910 | 1,019 | 0.0% | |
| 1920 | 991 | −2.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,028 | 3.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,121 | 9.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,067 | −4.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,057 | −0.9% | |
| 1970 | 1,267 | 19.9% | |
| 1980 | 1,440 | 13.7% | |
| 1990 | 1,528 | 6.1% | |
| 2000 | 1,631 | 6.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,641 | 0.6% | |
| 2020 | 1,756 | 7.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Information
In 2010, there were 1,641 people living in Weston. There were 702 households, which are groups of people living together. About 31.5% of these households had children under 18 living with them.
Most of the people in Weston were White (96.9%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 2.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino. The average age of people in Weston was 42 years old.
Economy of Weston
Weston is home to the McCormick Distilling Company. This company makes many different kinds of drinks. It was started in 1856 and is the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi River. It has been making drinks continuously for a very long time!
Weston is also a major producer of twist tobacco. Each year, about 2.8 million pounds of tobacco are grown in Platte County.
Education in Weston
The West Platte County School District runs two schools in Weston. These are Central Elementary School and West Platte High School. Weston also has a public library. It is a branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library.
Notable People from Weston
- Ben Holladay (1819–1887) – A businessman and entrepreneur from the 1800s.
- Bela M. Hughes (1817–1903) – An early pioneer who helped plan Weston's first streets.
- Mayme Schweble (1874–1943) – A prospector and a member of the Nevada Assembly, born in Weston.
- Billy Winn (1909–1938) – A professional racing driver.
Images for kids
-
A friendly robot
See also
In Spanish: Weston (Misuri) para niños
