Editing Fair Grove, Missouri

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Fair Grove, Missouri
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = "The Old Mill Town"
| motto                    = "[[Laissez-faire]]"

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = 
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = 
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = <!-- Maps -->
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location in the state of Missouri 
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Missouri]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Missouri|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Greene County, Missouri|Greene]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Stephen Short <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fairgrove.org/government.html |title=Government |access-date=2018-08-13 |archive-date=2018-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813210218/http://www.fairgrove.org/government.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| leader_title1            = Pro tempore
| 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           = 8.25
| area_land_km2            = 8.25
| area_water_km2           = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi         = 3.19
| area_land_sq_mi          = 3.19
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 1582
| population_density_km2   = 191.67
| population_density_sq_mi = 496.39

<!-- General information -->| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 369
| elevation_ft             = 1211
| coordinates              = {{coord|37|22|52|N|93|9|4|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 65648
| area_code                = [[Area code 417|417]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 29-23338<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              = 0717724<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| website                  = http://fairgrove.org
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
}}

'''Fair Grove''' is a city in [[Greene County, Missouri|Greene County]], [[Missouri]], United States. The population was 1,582 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2923338|access-date=2021-12-22|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> It is part of the [[Springfield, Missouri]] [[Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
A post office called Fair Grove has been in operation since 1856.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MO&county=Green|title=Post Offices |publisher=Jim Forte Postal History |access-date=3 October 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003055709/http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MO&county=Greene|archive-date=3 October 2016 }}</ref> The community was named for a grove of trees near the original town site that reminded the early settlers of Fairgrove, [[North Carolina]], from where they migrated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_buffalo.html |title=Buffalo County Place Names, 1928–1945 (archived) |publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri |access-date=3 October 2016 }}{{dead link|date=September 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

The [[Boegel and Hine Flour Mill-Wommack Mill]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1986.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

==Geography==
Fair Grove is located at {{Coord|37|22|52|N|93|9|4|W|type:city}} (37.380992, -93.150996).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> Fair Grove is located approximately {{convert|14|mi|km}} north of [[Springfield, Missouri|Springfield]] on [[U.S. Route 65 in Missouri|U.S. Route 65]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.18|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<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=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 72
|1970= 431
|1980= 863
|1990= 919
|2000= 1107
|2010= 1393
|2020= 1582
|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 1,393 people, 529 households, and 389 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|438.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 580 housing units at an average density of {{convert|182.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.9% 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 529 households, of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.5% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the city was 34.3 years. 29.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 11.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,107 people, 405 households, and 309 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|357.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 421 housing units at an average density of {{convert|135.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.19% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.18% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.18% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 1.45% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.36% of the population.

There were 405 households, out of which 43.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city the population was spread out, with 31.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city in 2000 was $36,761, and the median income for a family was $41,167. Males had a median income of $30,688 versus $21,447 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,765. About 6.4% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==

Fair Grove R-10 School District is a K-12 school district located at 132 N. Main Street in Fair Grove. The school district is again for the ninth year out of 10 and for the last four years Accredited with Distinction in Performance. This is the highest accreditation awarded by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The school enrollment is 1,140 students in the learning centers: grades PreK–4, 5–8, and 9–12. In addition to the basic courses, instruction is provided through classes of remediation, special needs, enrichment, college preparatory, advanced, vocational courses, area vocational school, dual credit and distant learning courses with nearby universities. This district far exceeds the educational opportunities required by the [[Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ci.fairgrove.mo.us/index.html |title=City of Fair Grove Homepage |access-date=2007-10-12 |last=Manning |first=Betty |author2=Gene Rice |publisher=[[City of Fair Grove, Missouri]] }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2007, voters approved a tax bond for new construction projects and for renovation of current space. In the summer of 2008, the construction was completed on the new Middle School that was built in 2007 as a result of the tax bond. The New Middle School was opened for the 2008–09 school year. As of May 2013, Fair Grove completed a new [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) storm shelter / safe room that the school and community can utilize during a tornado warning. The safe room was featured on the Today show on May 22, 2013, as reported by [http://www.gofairgrove.com/fair-grove-on-the-today-show/ GoFairGrove.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629171348/http://www.gofairgrove.com/fair-grove-on-the-today-show/ |date=June 29, 2014 }}, Fair Grove's main source for photos, news and information. 
Fair Grove made national news in 2009 due to part of the [[Fair Grove High School|high school]] being destroyed during the [[May 2009 Southern Midwest derecho|May 2009 Southern Plains derecho]] event and the community has since taken steps to help protect the school and its students.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Linda |date=2018-05-08 |title=Weather Vault: Staff of Fair Grove High School recalls devastating derecho on May 8, 2009 |url=https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Staff-of-Fair-Grove-High-School-recalls-devastating-derecho--482106921.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=www.ky3.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==

The most notable event that takes place in Fair Grove each year is the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion. This always takes place the last full weekend in September. This [[List of festivals in the United States#Arts and crafts festivals|festival]] has its roots with the original Fair Grove Fair in the early 1900s and 1910s, and more recently with the Fair Grove Arts and Crafts Festival which started in 1978. Dan and Betty Manning organized a gathering of 12 local craftsmen to sell their wares on the square.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Missouri State University |title=Fair Grove Heritage Reunion History |url=http://www.missouristate.edu/rls/fair_grove_heritage_reunion_hist.htm |access-date=2006-09-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060911222233/http://www.missouristate.edu/rls/fair_grove_heritage_reunion_hist.htm |archive-date=2006-09-11 }}</ref>

That first year, Granny Poke, in a bedraggled cookshack, fired up her wood stove to cook a batch of [[Common bean|brown beans]], [[Pokeweed|poke greens]], [[Cobbler (food)|homemade fruit cobbler]] and [[cornbread]]. A short parade began the two-day event, with a small crowd attending. A few men of the town gathered at the mill to learn [[Wooden log|log splitting]] and [[Shake (shingle)|shingle riving]], and [[Sassafras|Sassafras tea]], [[Asimina triloba|pawpaws]] and [[Hickory|hickory nuts]] were available, just for the asking.

Since those early years, the organizers of that first festival have seen many changes and improvements. Today, the crowd estimate during the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion is 40,000 to 50,000 on Saturday and around 30,000 on Sunday. The number of booths have increased to almost 400, with many featuring demonstrations, such as [[weaving]], [[bobbin lace]] and [[Soap|soap making]]. The two-day event still includes a parade and a church service in front of the historic mill.

Activities abound throughout the show area. Some of the favorites include corn grinding in the Boegel & Hine Flour Mill, working draft teams, an antique tractor rodeo, [[horse]] and [[mule]] obstacle course and [[Threshing machine|wheat threshing]]. [[Internal combustion engine|Primitive gasoline engines]] and [[steam-powered]] engines are furnished through the Early Day Gas Engines and Tractor Association, Branch 16 and The Ozark Steam Engine Association. Demonstrations of corn shredders and a corn shellers also occur throughout the day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fghps.org/reunion_history.html |title=History of Fair Grove Heritage Reunion |access-date=2007-10-12 |last=Smith |first=Marilyn |publisher=[[FGHPS, Inc.]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111234144/http://fghps.org/reunion_history.html |archive-date=2009-01-11 }}</ref>

The 2012 the festival had an estimated 80,000 attendance. In 2007, the festival parade was the longest ever (over 3 hours long) in celebration of the festival's 40th Anniversary.

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.fairgrove.org/ City of Fair Grove Homepage]
* [http://www.gofairgrove.com/ Fair Grove News, Photos, Events & Information]
* [http://fairgrove.org/ Fair Grove Chamber of Commerce Homepage]
* [http://fghps.org/ Fair Grove Historical Society Homepage]

{{Greene County, Missouri}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Greene County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Springfield metropolitan area, Missouri]]
[[Category:Cities in Missouri]]