Monett in Barry County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Where Did Monett Get its Name?

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 21, 2019

1. Where Did Monett Get its Name? Marker

Inscription. Monett had four other names before it was called Monett. Monett was first named Kings Prairie Depot. Monett began as a Frisco Railroad town because of its location. By 1875, Plymouth had become a new name for Kings Prairie Depot. The name Plymouth has a complicated history. It belonged originally to the town now known as Billings. The town name of Plymouth began in July 1880. During this time, Plymouth was a flag station and telegraph office at the junction of Frisco's main line and the Arkansas Branch. In 1882 it became known as Plymouth Junction, which was frequently its name in contemporary newspaper articles and ads. In 1887 the name was changed to Gonten because the post office refused to recognize the name Plymouth because it was in use elsewhere and referred to the town as Gonten, named for its postmaster, Fredrick von Gonten. The names Plymouth, Plymouth Junction, and Gonten were all often in use at the same time, roughly from 1880 to 1887. Much of the original town of Plymouth burned down in a fire in 1886, likely started by sparks from a passing train. Houses west of Central survived, thus the West

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Monett moniker developed. The town of Monett was laid out next door to Plymouth, named for Henry Monett, a prominent official of the New York Central Railroad. The new town was heavily promoted in the Missouri press through the fall of 1887, with a big auction of town lots in October of that year. Separated from Monett only by the width of today's Central Avenue, Plymouth lost its separate identity and became part of Monett, although it was sometimes referred to as “West Monett” into the early 20th Century.

Written by: Edgar Montelongo [and] Charles Ortwein

This sign was created by students under the direction of Monett High School Missouri Literature and Composition teacher Amy M. Sampson and was paid for via a grant she wrote and was awarded from Rural Schools Collaborative and their 2023 Celia B. Godsil Grants in Place Fellows Program.

Erected 2023 by Monett High School students.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, Monett High School class project series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1880.

Location. 36° 55.252′ N,

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024

2. Where Did Monett Get its Name? Marker

Featured marker is in the middle.

93° 55.349′ W. Marker is in Monett, Missouri, in Barry County. It can be reached from the intersection of 5th Street and East Broadway, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in a public parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 E Broadway, Monett MO 65708, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Missouri and in the Branson and Table Rock Lake Area.

It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Frisco Railroad (here, next to this marker); Monett Floods (here, next to this marker); Monett Harvey House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Monett Lynching (about 400 feet away); Whistle Stops (about 400 feet away); Strawberry Capital of the World

News Obituary of Henry Monett image. Click for full size.

The Wichita Daily Eagle; via Library of Congress, Chronicling America Collection (Public Domain), November 21, 1888

3. News Obituary of Henry Monett

(about 400 feet away); The Gillioz Theater (about 400 feet away); Monett Railroad YMCA (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monett.

Also see . . . One Town, Five Names. Monett has been Monett since 1887. Before that it had four other names: Kings Prairie Depot, Plymouth, Plymouth Junction and Gonten. Some local histories are understandably confused on the subject. (Robert O. Banks, Jr., via RootsWeb) (Submitted on July 17, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on July 17, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.