7 Missouri Towns That Aren't Where They Used to Be

The one thing that none of us can stop is time. Once it passes, it's gone and you'll never get it back. Time has also continually changed many places in Missouri. For some, they have either moved or have been completely disappeared from the map thanks to time.

Let's explore a few Missouri places that no longer exist in their previous form:

Times Beach – St. Louis County

Times Beach used to be a small community along historic Route 66 not far from St. Louis. That quiet Missouri place took a horrific turn when waste oil contaminated with dioxin was sprayed on the town's unpaved roads to control dust. It eventually led to the evacuation of residents in 1983 as the government bought up all the land and converted it to Route 66 State Park. This is what part of that area looks like now.

Old Linn Creek – Camden County

Old Linn Creek was one of many Missouri communities that existed next to the Osage River prior to the construction of Bagnell Dam in the 1920's.

As the dam was completed and the lake began filling, much of the original town was destined to disappear underwater. Residents left, buildings were removed or relocated, and the county seat was moved to Camdenton in 1930. This is a part of the new Linn Creek in Missouri.

Old Pattonsburg – Daviess County

Pattonsburg has a story that shows just how destructive Missouri flooding can be. The original Pattonsburg was located next to the Grand River, but it was devastated by two major floods in 1993. The town was eventually rebuilt a couple miles away from the original location on higher ground which is where it resides today.

Old Greenville – Wayne County

When Lake Wappapello was born, the original Greenville, Missouri was ended. It was originally next to the St. Francis River, but was threatened with flooding once Lake Wappapello was complete. In 1941, approximately 40 houses were moved to a new location on higher ground, while many other buildings were demolished.

Hamburg – St. Charles County

Hamburg was once a small rural community in St. Charles County. That changed in 1941 when the federal government acquired thousands of acres of land to establish the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works. Hundreds of people had to find homes elsewhere. The area where Hamburg used to be remains with a lot of government buildings now, but the town has vanished.

Bloodland – Pulaski County

Bloodland was a small community in Pulaski County that was moved aside when the US government build Fort Leonard Wood during World War II. As the base expanded, Bloodland disappeared as many rural families had to make their homes elsewhere.

Cookville – Pulaski County

What was said about Bloodland can also be said about Cookville. This small Missouri community that was born in 1878 saw its existence end as Fort Leonard Wood was built and expanded. It remained a Missouri place until 1941.