McGirk once a busy place

MCGIRK, Mo. - Once a bustling burg, the community of McGirk has reduced to a mere wide spot in the road but still boasts a strong community spirit.

Located on U.S. 50, McGirk is about six miles west of California and three miles east of Centertown.

The McGirk Community Building was built in 1895. It is used for local meetings and fundraisers. (Ra'Vae Edwards/News Tribune photo)

The community holds a special place in the heart of Virginia McGill.

In 1946, McGill, then a freshman in high school, moved to McGirk with her family. At the time, she said the town, although not by any means a big city, was a busy place full of people and several businesses.

“There was a bank, a barbershop, a post office, the McGirk MFA where they shipped out milk, feed and chickens on the train,” she said. “It was just a growing little community back then.”

Married in 1952, McGill and her husband Leroy moved to the Eldon area for about 12 years. When they moved back to McGirk in 1967 she said the community was already starting to show signs of deterioration.

“It started to gradually die out and people started moving closer to town,” she said. “It started going down hill and it's kept on going down ever since.”

Despite the small population, McGirk's history dates back to 1841 when the McGirk family (first names unknown) homesteaded a piece of property where they built a home.

Mail was dropped at the McGirk home and the town assumed the same name.

According to local residents, the Lebanon Baptist Church was formed in 1840. Although the original building is no longer standing, the church remains a pillar of the community and it is well attended. The current building is located south of U.S. 50 where it was relocated to in 1912.

In 1857, a small section of land was deeded to Pacific Railroad for a right-of-way and the construction of a station house.

Sometime in and around 1880, Henry and Louise Buntee acquired 10 acres of land, where they built another general store and post office. Buntee is said to have platted the town.

By 1883, the community had experienced a growth spurt and several businesses were in operation and thriving. At the time, records reflect a blacksmith, a doctor, a shoemaker, a barbershop and the Luneberger Cheese Factory, among others.

In September 1892, a Presbyterian Church was built and less than two years later the McGirk School No. 48 was formed.

After the turn of the century and the introduction of the automobile, the community was in need of a filling station and, within a few years, two stations were in full operation and growing steadily as well as the bank and several locally owned businesses.

In 1920, several farmers in the area gathered and formed the McGirk MFA. Women were a very active part of the movement forming the Women's Progressive Association. Both were chartered for 50 years. At the end of the 50 years, the associations liquidated but the groups continued to meet until 1984.

Community plays, ice-cream socials, town picnics and various activities were a vital part of the McGirk Community.

“There was always something for someone to do,” McGill said. “People used to really get out and know their neighbors and the town was close and it was a lot of fun for the children and the adults.”

The McGirk School was reorganized with the Moniteau County School District in 1954. The building was taken over by the community and is still used today as a community center. In 1999, the McGirk Community Association formed to take care of the upkeep of the historic building.

It is used widely throughout the community for local 4-H meetings, family reunions, family gatherings and various community activities including two fundraisers.

Today, the small community, although maybe not as close knit as yesteryears, remains home to several people who enjoy the “small town” life.

“McGirk is mainly rental properties now,” said Linda Reichel. “But it's never lost its ‘neighborliness' and that's important to a small town like McGirk.”

Although it can easily be termed a bedroom community, the people of McGirk still know how to pitch in and help their neighbors when they are in need.

“The recent snow storms are a good example of the people in this little town,” Reichel said. “One neighbor helped plow the streets on one side of town and another one worked on the other side. People still support the community and the people in it.”

Reichel has lived in the community since 1985. She and her husband, Johnny Bill, own a century farm located in McGirk.

The Reichel farm is the only home place in McGirk still under ownership by the original family.

The McGirk Post Office sits on the edge of the community on Highway 50, six miles east of California. It is one of the few remaining post offices in small towns throughout Missouri. (Ra'Vae Edwards/News Tribune photo)