Wila, Missouri facts for kids
Wila was once a small community located in New Madrid County, in the state of Missouri, USA. Today, it is known as an extinct town, meaning it no longer exists as a populated place. Sometimes, these places are called "ghost towns" because everyone has moved away.
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Exploring the History of Wila
Where Was Wila Located?
Wila was found in New Madrid County, which is in the southeastern part of Missouri. This area of Missouri is known for its flat land and history of farming.
A Short History of Wila
Wila was a very small community that existed for only a short time. It had its own post office, which opened in 1894. A post office is where people send and receive mail. However, the post office in Wila closed just four years later, in 1898. This often means that the community itself was shrinking or people were moving away.
The name "Wila" actually came from a person! It was named after Wiley Webb, who was the son of a local merchant. A merchant is someone who sells goods, like a shopkeeper. Sometimes, the town was also called "Wiley."
Why Did Wila Disappear?
Many small towns like Wila became extinct for different reasons. Often, they were created to serve a specific purpose, like a logging camp or a stop on a railroad. If that purpose ended, or if people found better opportunities elsewhere, the town would slowly fade away. For Wila, its short time with a post office suggests it was a very small settlement that likely didn't grow enough to last.
