Mountain Grove, Missouri

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Mountain Grove, Missouri
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| official_name            = City of Mountain Grove
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Mountain-Grove-Union-block-mo.jpg
| imagesize                = 250px
| image_caption            = Union Street
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = MOMap-doton-Mountain_Grove.png
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Mountain Grove, Missouri
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Missouri]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Missouri|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Wright County, Missouri|Wright]], [[Texas County, Missouri|Texas]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 28, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 10.48
| area_land_km2            = 10.40
| area_water_km2           = 0.08
| area_total_sq_mi         = 4.05
| area_land_sq_mi          = 4.01
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.03

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 4313
| population_density_km2   = 414.78
| population_density_sq_mi = 1074.22

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 1483
| coordinates              = {{coord|37|07|50|N|92|15|49|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -->
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 65711
| area_code                = [[Area code 417|417]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 29-50402<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2395132<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395132}}</ref>
| website                  = https://mountaingrovemo.gov/
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
}}

'''Mountain Grove''' is a city in [[Wright County, Missouri|Wright County]] and [[Texas County, Missouri|Texas County]] in the U.S. state of [[Missouri]]. It lies within the [[Ozarks]] in the south-central part of the state. The population was 4,313 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2950402|access-date=2021-12-24|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

==History==
A post office called Mountain Grove has been in operation since 1875.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MO&county=Wright | title=Post Offices| publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=3 January 2017}}</ref> The community owes its present name to a stand of trees near the original elevated town site.<ref name="History">{{cite web | url=http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_wright.html | title=Wright County Place Names, 1928–1945 | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | access-date=January 3, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624071616/http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_wright.html | archive-date=June 24, 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1841 a settlement was built on land east of Mountain Grove near a spring in a grove of hickory timber. A post office was established in Hickory Spring, the original name of Mountain Grove, in 1851, but was removed in 1861.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Wright County |url=http://genealogytrails.com/mo/wright/history2.html |publisher=Genealogy Trails |access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref>

On March 9, 1862, there was a [[skirmish]] in the town during the [[American Civil War]].<ref name="MtnGroveSkirmish">{{cite web | url=https://ehistory.osu.edu/books/official-records/008/0334 | title=Mountain Grove Skirmish | publisher=Ohio State University | access-date=September 28, 2022 }}</ref><ref name="MtnGroveSkirmish2">{{cite web | url=https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/missouri.htm | title=Mountain Grove Skirmish Phelps and 4th | publisher=National Park Service | access-date=December 18, 2023 }}</ref>

A new post office was named for Judge Robert W. Fyan, a prominent figure in early county history.<ref name="History"/> In 1859, a general store was built at the crossroads about one mile west of Hickory Spring. The Fyan post office's name was changed to Mountain Grove, with reference to its location on a ridge in a grove of trees, in 1878.<ref name="History"/>

This became known as the "mountain store, mountain grove or the mountain" due to its elevation of {{convert|1,525|ft}}. One of the most famous incidents in Mountain Grove occurred in the middle of May 1883, when what was called a "nipping frost" caused every tree, sapling and shrub in the community of Fyan and the Fyan depot to be cut clean as from an axe. Thus, the joining of Mountain Grove and adjoining Fyan occurred. In June, the name of the depot was changed to Mountain Grove. The town reapplied for a charter in 1886, changed its boundaries and held its first election.

Buildings within or near the city listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] include the [[Administration Building, Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station]], [[Mountain Grove Bandstand]], and [[Mountain Grove City Hall]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20120309.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2012-03-09|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 2/27/12 through 3/02/12|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

[[File:Mountain Grove Skirmish Memorial 1.jpg|thumb|The front of the memorial dedicated to the Confederate soldiers who died in the Mountain Grove Skirmish in the American Civil War]]

[[File:Mountain Grove Skirmish Memorial 2.jpg|thumb|The back of the memorial dedicated to the Confederate soldiers who died in the Mountain Grove Skirmish in the American Civil War]]

==Geography==
Mountain Grove is located in the [[Ozarks]], along the south edge of the [[Ozarks#Physiographic subregions|Salem Plateau]]. The community is served by [[U.S. Route 60 in Missouri|US Route 60]] and [[Missouri Route 95]]. The community is mostly within [[Wright County, Missouri]], with the eastern portion extending into [[Texas County, Missouri]]. The town sits on the [[drainage divide]] between the [[White River (Arkansas)|White River]] [[Tributary|tributaries]] to the south and the [[Missouri River]] tributaries to the north.<ref>''Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer,'' DeLorme, 1998, First edition, p. 53-4, {{ISBN|0-89933-224-2}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|4.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The city of Mountain Grove is also directly on the border with neighboring Texas County.

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Mountain Grove, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–present)
|single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 78
| Feb record high F = 83
| Mar record high F = 89
| Apr record high F = 91
| May record high F = 97
| Jun record high F = 105
| Jul record high F = 109
| Aug record high F = 110
| Sep record high F = 104
| Oct record high F = 95
| Nov record high F = 90
| Dec record high F = 77
| year record high F = 110
| Jan high F = 41.4
| Feb high F = 46.6
| Mar high F = 55.8
| Apr high F = 66.2
| May high F = 74.3
| Jun high F = 82.4
| Jul high F = 87.1
| Aug high F = 86.5
| Sep high F = 79.3
| Oct high F = 68.0
| Nov high F = 55.0
| Dec high F = 44.6
| year high F = 65.6
| Jan mean F = 31.9
| Feb mean F = 36.2
| Mar mean F = 45.0
| Apr mean F = 55.1
| May mean F = 63.8
| Jun mean F = 72.4
| Jul mean F = 76.8
| Aug mean F = 75.8
| Sep mean F = 68.2
| Oct mean F = 57.0
| Nov mean F = 45.2
| Dec mean F = 35.5
| year mean F = 55.2
| Jan low F = 22.4
| Feb low F = 25.9
| Mar low F = 34.2
| Apr low F = 44.0
| May low F = 53.4
| Jun low F = 62.4
| Jul low F = 66.5
| Aug low F = 65.1
| Sep low F = 57.1
| Oct low F = 46.0
| Nov low F = 35.3
| Dec low F = 26.5
| year low F = 44.9
| Jan record low F = −20
| Feb record low F = −21
| Mar record low F = −7
| Apr record low F = 15
| May record low F = 28
| Jun record low F = 40
| Jul record low F = 45
| Aug record low F = 39
| Sep record low F = 27
| Oct record low F = 18
| Nov record low F = 2
| Dec record low F = −19
| year record low F = −21
| precipitation colour= green
| Jan precipitation inch = 2.82
| Feb precipitation inch = 2.67
| Mar precipitation inch = 4.13
| Apr precipitation inch = 5.05
| May precipitation inch = 5.41
| Jun precipitation inch = 3.93
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.51
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.42
| Sep precipitation inch = 4.02
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.33
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.91
| Dec precipitation inch = 2.73
| year precipitation inch = 45.93
| Jan snow inch = 3.7
| Feb snow inch = 2.3
| Mar snow inch = 1.8
| Apr snow inch = 0.0
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 0.2
| Dec snow inch = 2.4
| year snow inch = 10.4
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 7.0
| Feb precipitation days = 7.1
| Mar precipitation days = 9.2
| Apr precipitation days = 9.4
| May precipitation days = 10.5
| Jun precipitation days = 8.4
| Jul precipitation days = 8.1
| Aug precipitation days = 7.0
| Sep precipitation days = 6.3
| Oct precipitation days = 7.1
| Nov precipitation days = 7.5
| Dec precipitation days = 6.6
| year precipitation days = 94.2
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 2.2
| Feb snow days = 1.6
| Mar snow days = 0.6
| Apr snow days = 0.0
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.3
| Dec snow days = 1.0
| year snow days = 5.7
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name = NOAA >
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sgf
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 3, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00235834&format=pdf
| title = Station: MTN Grove 2 N, MO
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 3, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1880= 92
|1890= 830
|1900= 1004
|1910= 1722
|1920= 2212
|1930= 2229
|1940= 2431
|1950= 3106
|1960= 3176
|1970= 3377
|1980= 3974
|1990= 4182
|2000= 4574
|2010= 4789
|2020= 4313
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the census<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> of 2010, there were 4,789 people, 2,008 households, and 1,217 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1194.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,290 housing units at an average density of {{convert|571.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 2,008 households, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.4% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 26.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 19.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.3% male and 53.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 4,574 people, 1,976 households, and 1,235 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,091.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,244 housing units at an average density of {{convert|535.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.44% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.17% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.61% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.09% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.48% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.20% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.09% of the population.

There were 1,976 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 80.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,131, and the median income for a family was $25,927. Males had a median income of $24,913 versus $17,003 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,508. About 22.9% of families and 28.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.1% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.
Today, Mountain Grove is the most populated city in Wright County, Missouri

==Government==
The City of Mountain Grove is a [[4th-class]] city and operates with a [[Mayor]]/[[Board of Aldermen]] form of [[Government]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Board of Aldermen Members {{!}} Town of Mountain Grove, Missouri|url=https://www.mountaingrove.net/bc-boa/page/board-alderpersons-members|access-date=2020-08-25|website=www.mountaingrove.net}}</ref> The City Administrator is the chief administrative officer of the city and oversees all operations. All department supervisors report directly to them. The [[Mayor]]/[[Board of Aldermen]] set [[policies]] and pass [[Local ordinance|ordinances]].

The current mayor of the city is Fred VanBibber.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|Carolyn Mitchell
|Alderman, Ward 1
|-
|Webb Friend
|Alderman, Ward 1
|-
|Dan Bartlett
|Alderman, Ward 2
|-
|Tom Ratteree
|Alderman, Ward 2
|-
|Sondra Mahoney
|Alderman, Ward 3
|-
|Wayne Jones
|Alderman, Ward 3
|-
|Jim Dewitt
|Alderman, Ward 4
|-
|Sherri Unger
|Alderman, Ward 4
|}
As of August 2020: each Alderman is elected for a 2-year term.<ref>{{Cite web|title=City Council {{!}} Town of Mountain Grove, Missouri|url=https://www.mountaingrove.net/citycouncil|access-date=2020-08-25|website=www.mountaingrove.net}}</ref>

==Education==
It is in the [[Mountain Grove R-III School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st29_mo/schooldistrict_maps/c29229_wright/DC20SD_C29229.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Wright County, MO|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2023-11-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st29_mo/schooldistrict_maps/c29215_texas/DC20SD_C29215.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Texas County, MO|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2023-11-13}}</ref>

Mountain Grove public schools are a [[class 3A]] school in [[Missouri]], including one [[Elementary school|elementary]] grades [[Pre-K]] through 4th, one [[middle school]] grades 5th–8th, and one [[high school]] grades 9th–12th. Mountain Grove High School also houses [[Ozark Mountain Technical Center]], which allows students to gain technology skills necessary for vocational career paths.

Mountain Grove Christian Academy has approximately 68 students, grade Pre-K through 12th.

[[Missouri State University]] operates the {{convert|190|acre|km2|adj=on}} Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station in Mountain Grove. The station includes the Center for Grapevine [[Biotechnology]] and the Mountain Grove Cellars. It is associated primarily with the university's [[Plant Science]] [[master's degree]] Program.

Mountain Grove has a [[public library]], a branch of the [[Wright County, Missouri|Wright County]] Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wrightcounty.lib.mo.us | title=Homepage | publisher=Wright County Library | access-date=4 June 2019}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Russ Dugger]] (born 1975), [[stock car racing]] driver
* [[Don Faurot]] (1902–1995), head coach for the [[Missouri Tigers football|University of Missouri football team]], as well as longtime athletic director, was born there.
* [[Hooks Iott]] (1919-1980), [[Major League Baseball]] player for the [[St. Louis Browns]] and [[New York Giants (baseball)|New York Giants]] during the 1940s.
* [[Paul McDonald Robinett]] (1893–1975), [[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]], [[U.S. Army]], was born in Mountain Grove and is buried there.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Paul M. Robinett Papers: A Finding Aid to the Collection in the Library of Congress
 |first1=Michael J. |last1=McElderry |first2=Charles |last2=Cooney
 |publisher=Manuscript Division, [[Library of Congress]]
 |location=Washington, D.C. |year=2012 |page=3 |access-date=2014-06-26
 |url=http://rs5.loc.gov/service/mss/eadxmlmss/eadpdfmss/uploaded_pdf/ead_pdf_batch_19_july_2012/ms012126.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author-link=Rick Atkinson |first=Rick |last=Atkinson
 |title=An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942–1943 |edition=large print
 |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers (United States)|Macmillan]] |isbn=9781429967631 |volume=1
 |series=The Liberation Trilogy|date=May 15, 2007 |access-date=2014-06-26 |page=222
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J4FDFgWB3aYC&q=Paul+robinett+%22an+army+at+dawn%22+rick+atkinson&pg=PA324}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Mountain Grove, Missouri}}
{{Portal|United States}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090317071152/http://www.mgr3.k12.mo.us/ Mountain Grove Schools]
* Historic maps of Mountain Grove in the [http://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/mu/islandora/object/mu%3A138899 Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection] at the [[University of Missouri]]
* [http://www.mountaingrove.net/ City Government] of Mountain Grove
*[http://www.mountaingrovechamber.com/ Mountain Grove Chamber – Mountain Grove, MO]
*[http://www.news-journal.net/ Mountain Grove News-Journal : Serving The Tri-County Area Since 1882!]

{{Texas County, Missouri}}
{{Wright County, Missouri}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Wright County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Cities in Texas County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Cities in Missouri]]