Melva is an extinct town in southern Taney County, in the Ozarks of southwest Missouri. The GNIS classifies it as a populated place.[1] The site was located south of Hollister on the east bank of Turkey Creek along the Missouri Pacific Railroad. On March 11, 1920, the town was destroyed by a deadly tornado that killed 11 people, including 9 children. Some of the remains of Melva, mostly foundations of homes, remain on the site today.

A post office called Melva was established in 1906, and remained in operation until 1931.[2] A railroad official gave the community the name of his daughter.[3]

Gale Wade (1929-2022), baseball player, was born in Melva.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Melva
  2. ^ "Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  3. ^ "Taney County Place Names, 1928–1945". The State Historical Society of Missouri. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  4. ^ Gale Wade=obituary

36°34′37″N 93°12′44″W / 36.57694°N 93.21222°W / 36.57694; -93.21222