| Zeta | |
| Settlement Type: | Ghost town |
| Nickname: | --> |
| Pushpin Map: |
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| Pushpin Map Caption: | The location of Zeta within Missouri |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Missouri |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Stoddard County |
| Unit Pref: | US |
| Elevation Ft: | 322 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | auto |
Zeta is a ghost town in Stoddard County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after the Greek letter zeta by George H. Crumb, who built a rail line between Zeta and Bloomfield.[1] [2]
The town was a stop along the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway within Richland Township, located near Aquilla and Durnell. It also was a stop along the "Cotton Belt Route", and had been a part of the defunct Missouri Southeastern Railway service between Zeta and Bloomfield.[3] [4] Additional rail lines existed between Zeta and Vanduser in neighboring Scott County.[5]
Varying records indicate that a post office called Zeta was established in 1895 and potentially also in 1910, and remained in operation until 1936.[6] [7] Zeta also was home to multiple farms and sawmills.[8]
One of the few remnants of Zeta left is the Crowder-Zeta special road district; its name being shared with nearby Crowder.[9] [10] As of 2024, a Nestlé Purina PetCare factory is located immediately north of the historical location of Zeta, south of Missouri supplemental route Y, which was formerly and locally known as the "Zeta-Crowder road."[11] [12]
In 1916, a man from Zeta, Emil L. Gerardi, claimed to be a candidate for president in the 1916 United States presidential election.[13]
On May 30, 1917, an F3 tornado touched down west of Acorn Ridge, Missouri and crossed through Zeta and Stoddard County, killing three people in Zeta.[14]
On December 6, 1924, the Zeta rail depot was set on fire along with the depot in nearby Ardeola, which had completely burned down.[15]