Paydown, Missouri

Paydown is an unincorporated community in northeastern Maries County, Missouri, United States.[1]

The community is located along Missouri Route N approximately 2.5 miles northeast of Bend and five miles southwest of Belle. The Gasconade River flows past one-half mile west of the community.[2]

History

Paydown got its start circa 1830 when a large gristmill was built there.[3] According to tradition, the proprietor of the mill required all customers to "pay down" promptly, hence the name.[4] A post office called Pay Down was in operation from 1856 until 1932.[5]

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Paydown, Missouri
2. Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer, DeLorme, 1st ed., 1998, p. 46 ISBN 0899332242
3. Earngey, Bill (1995). Missouri Roadsides: The Traveler's Companion. University of Missouri Press. p. 13. ISBN 9780826210210.
4. "Maries County Place Names, 1928–1945". The State Historical Society of Missouri. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
5. "Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved November 2, 2016.

38°13′44″N 91°48′14″W