Rome, Missouri Explained

Rome, Missouri
Native Name Lang:EN
Settlement Type:Community
Pushpin Map:Missouri#USA
Pushpin Map Alt:Location of Rome, Missouri
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Rome, Missouri
Coordinates:36.8417°N -92.7733°W
Coordinates Footnotes:[1]
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:U. S. A.
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Missouri
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Douglas County
Elevation M:290
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CST
Utc Offset1:-6
Timezone1 Dst:CDT
Utc Offset1 Dst:-5

Rome is an unincorporated community in southern Douglas County, Missouri, United States. It is located on Beaver Creek, approximately southwest of Ava on a county road one-half mile off the end of Route A and west of Smallett. Arno lies on Beaver Creek, about north and Brownbranch in Taney County lies on Beaver Creek, to the southwest.[2] [1]

History

In 1840 Wright's Mill, built by James Wright, was at the location and was perhaps the earliest grist mill on Beaver Creek. Circa 1850, the Lawrence Mill, built by William Lawrence, was at the same location.[3]

During the Civil War, Rome was the location of Lawrence Mill. Union forces built a blockhouse to defend the location. Fort Lawrence consisted of a two-story building or stockade with dimensions of 100 by 40 feet and was defended by militiamen or "Missouri home guards". Forces under the command of Confederate General Marmaduke attacked and burned the fort in January 1863 while on their way to Springfield.[4] [5]

Rome previously had its own post office from 1888–1957.[6] The community was named after Rome, in Italy.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Brownbranch, Missouri, 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 2004
  2. Ava, Missouri, 30x60 Minute Topographic Quad, USGS, 1985
  3. Brown, Kenneth, Before Rome, There Was Fort Lawrence,Journal of the Douglas County (Mo.) Historical and Genealogical Society, Summer 2004, pp 26-32
  4. Suskey, A. M., Introduction of Douglas County and the Civil War, Douglas County Historical Society Journal, December 1994, p. 27
  5. http://www.mogenweb.org/ozark/holmeshistorybook7.htm Ozark County History, Chapter VII, Civil War, 1861-1865
  6. http://www.missouripostalhistory.org/data/County/Douglas.htm Post Offices in Douglas County, MO
  7. News: Odd places give Missouri towns foreign names . The Nevada Daily Mail . Jul 27, 1977 . 7 June 2015 . Merkner, Sue A. . 5.