Squires, Missouri Explained

Squires, Missouri
Settlement Type:Community
Pushpin Map:Missouri#USA
Pushpin Map Alt:Location of Squires, Missouri
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Squires, Missouri
Coordinates:36.8514°N -92.625°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Missouri
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Douglas County
Elevation Ft:1371
Timezone1:CST
Utc Offset1:-6
Timezone1 Dst:CDT
Utc Offset1 Dst:-5
Postal Code Type:Zip Code
Postal Code:65755
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:752331

Squires is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Missouri, United States. Squires is located approximately south of Ava on Route 5 at the intersection with Route JJ. The Squires fire tower is located one-quarter mile to the southwest, at an elevation of . Wasola in Ozark County is about to the southeast.[1] [2] The original Post Office application was filed by John Squire, an Englishman, who wanted to establish the Post Office of "Squire's, Missouri" to be housed in his general store. The Squires post office was established in 1889.[3] Thus, Squires, Missouri became the name for a crossroads location where cattle were corralled nightly by Arkansas farmers who were taking their cattle to market in Springfield, Missouri.

Squires has not changed much in the past 20 years. However, in the late 19th century, Squires was a thriving community with all the prospects of becoming a decently sized town. Today, Squires is home to Spurlock's Store (a hundred-year old family business), Squires Post Office, Squires Volunteer Fire Department, Porter's Cafe, Porter's Garage, and the Douglas County Livestock Auction Barn. Nearby is a Fire Lookout Tower which is maintained and operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Notes and References

  1. Smallett, Missouri, 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 2004
  2. Ava, Missouri, 30x60 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1985
  3. http://shs.umsystem.edu/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_douglas.html Douglas County Place Names, 1928-1945, State Historical Society of Missouri