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Missouri Small Towns Trivia Quiz

I grew up in a small town in Missouri. Amazingly, there are a lot of fun facts about these little towns. Test your Show-Me State skills, won't you?

A multiple-choice quiz by kingofweird. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
kingofweird

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
382,201

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
209

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The town I grew up in, which straddles two counties in southwest Missouri, was built on strawberries and the railroad. It's name is SIMILAR to that of a famous painter, but not quite the same. Where am I from? Hint

Monett

Neosho

Joplin

Marionville

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Perhaps the best-known small town in Missouri is the one known for being a tourist trap, based largely on the world of country music. Which town? Hint

Diamond

Neosho

Springfield

Branson

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. A lot of famous people were born in small towns in Missouri. Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain) grew up in which northeast town? Hint

Lecter

Neosho

Hannibal

Saint James

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. A small town in southwest Missouri hosts the state's largest free fair (admission doesn't cost a dime!) every year in August, but perhaps it's better known as the birthplace of Harry S. Truman! What town is it? Hint

Clinton

Lamar

Nevada

Anderson

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Precious Moments is a well-known maker of inspirational gifts, especially figurines. Which southwest Missouri town hosts the official Precious Moments theme park? Hint

Neosho

Springfield

Exeter

Carthage

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Another small town in southwest Missouri was originally named "Center", but was renamed, perhaps due to its mining industry, once it received a post office. But it's much better known as the birthplace of a famous botanist. What town is this? Hint

Opal

Diamond

Marble Cave

Joplin

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Our next town, located in central-western Missouri, is largely known as the site of the first civil war battle where African-American soldiers fought on behalf of the Union. What town could I be talking about? Hint

Clinton

Drexel

Butler

Hayti

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The most powerful series of earthquakes in United States history were actually in Missouri in 1811 and 1812. One quake was even strong enough to make the Mississippi River flow backwards! What town was the namesake for the fault line that caused those quakes? Hint

Neosho

Ste. Genevieve

New Madrid

West Plains

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Speaking of disasters- March 18, 1925 saw another legendary one-the most destructive tornado in American history. Although it affected parts of three states, what small Missouri town was almost entirely demolished in this tragic event? Hint

Dover

Cabool

Houston

Annapolis

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Ahhh! Neosho (2010 pop. 11835) just kept being a wrong answer in this quiz! So, as our last question- which of these statements about Neosho is true? Hint

It was once the capital of the United States for 13 hours

It partially inspired the tv show Dick Van Dyke and the comic strip Beetle Bailey

Douglas Adams was born there

Neosho was the name of a Native American girl who helped in the exploration of the western United States

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Monett

Monett (2010 pop. 8873) was named after a railroad employee that was important to the roots of my hometown, not for Claude Monet. It sits in both Barry County and Lawrence County, so as a result, it's not a county seat- even though it's the largest town in the bi-county area.

2. Perhaps the best-known small town in Missouri is the one known for being a tourist trap, based largely on the world of country music. Which town?

Answer: Branson

Branson (2010 pop. 10,520 people) is also home to one of my favorite theme parks, Silver Dollar City. There's also Ripley's Believe it or not, Shepherd of the Hills, and also a variety of shows (like Yakov Smirnoff, an ABBA Tribute, and the Acrobats of China- just to name a few!)

3. A lot of famous people were born in small towns in Missouri. Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain) grew up in which northeast town?

Answer: Hannibal

Hannibal (2010 pop. 17,916) is a REAL town in the northeast corner of the state. On the other hand, there really isn't a town in Missouri named Lecter. (Saint James and Neosho are also Missouri towns.) Although Clemens was actually born in the town of Florida, MO., he was raised primarily in Hannibal- which is why it was the basis for Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn's home of St. Petersburg.

Answer: Lamar

Lamar (2010 pop. 4532) is probably best known as the birthplace of Truman, but it's also the birthplace of Wyatt Earp. Personally though, I'm more interested in that free fair (even though the rides still cost money), and also it has a Drive-In theater!

5. Precious Moments is a well-known maker of inspirational gifts, especially figurines. Which southwest Missouri town hosts the official Precious Moments theme park?

Answer: Carthage

Carthage (2010 pop. 14378) was the site of the Battle of Carthage, the first battle of the American Civil War! Also, there are lots of haunted houses in the area to check out, AND it was on the legendary Route 66!

Answer: Diamond

Diamond (2010 pop. 902) may not have been renamed due to the mines, now that I think of it, because most of the mining in the area was (and still is) for zinc!

And the botanist I mentioned? That's George Washington Carver, who came up with over 300 different uses for the peanut!

Answer: Butler

Butler (2010 pop. 4219) lies just about eight miles northeast of the site of The Battle of Island Mound. A memorial was built nearby to honor fallen members of the 1st Regiment Kansas Infantry (Coloured).

Answer: New Madrid

New Madrid (2010 pop. 3116) was the epicenter of these quakes. There isn't an exact figure for a number of fatalities due to the quakes, though it is generally believed that casualties were fairly light. However, buildings and property as far away as Ohio were damaged. And- the quakes were allegedly so strong that they woke up people as far away as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!

Answer: Annapolis

Annapolis (2010 pop 345) was 90% destroyed in this horrible storm- which killed almost 700 people, injured over 2000 more in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. The town, named after the capital of Maryland, probably is much more proud of its annual "Freedom Fest", with a parade and also a fairly popular car show, that draws over 7000 people to the tiny town!

10. Ahhh! Neosho (2010 pop. 11835) just kept being a wrong answer in this quiz! So, as our last question- which of these statements about Neosho is true?

Answer: It partially inspired the tv show Dick Van Dyke and the comic strip Beetle Bailey

Van Dyke and comic strip artist Mort Walker were stationed at Camp Crowder, which was a military installation at one time, but now is home to a community college.

Incidentally, Sacagawea was that Native American girl's name, no town in Missouri was ever the U.S. capital for ANY length of time, and legendary sci-fi author Douglas Adams was British.

Source: Author kingofweird

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor spanishliz before going online.
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