Winthrop, Missouri facts for kids
Winthrop is a small, unincorporated community located in the southwest part of Buchanan County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
Winthrop is found right next to the Missouri River. It is also very close to Atchison, Kansas. You can reach Winthrop using US Route 59 and Missouri routes 45 and 273. The town of Rushville is about 4.5 miles northeast on US Route 59. Also nearby is Lewis and Clark Village, which is 3.5 miles southeast. This village is right next to the Louis and Clark State Park and its beautiful lake.
History
Winthrop has an interesting past. For a while, it was known by a different name: "East Atchison." This name was used because of its location east of Atchison, Kansas.
A post office was first opened in Winthrop in the year 1861. This was an important place for people to send and receive letters. Later, in 1878, the name of the post office was officially changed to East Atchison. However, the post office eventually closed down in 1923.
The community's current name, Winthrop, comes from an important historical figure. It was named after John Winthrop (1587–1649). He was a very influential English Puritan leader. John Winthrop also served as the second governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This was one of the earliest English settlements in North America. Naming the community after him honored his role in early American history.
