Changes

==History==

==History==

A trading post was established a few miles north of what became Malden about 1850. It was dubbed "Cotton Hill," as [[cotton]] was grown on the low sandy ridge that ran through this part of the county. When the Cottonbelt railroad was routed through northern Dunklin County in 1877, it passed to the south of Cotton Hill, whose buildings were then relocated alongside the railroad. There are two competing theories for how Malden received its name; one, that it was named in honor of Colonel T. H. Mauldin, a respected local landowner and [[Stoddard County, Missouri|Stoddard County]] court judge; two, that it was laid out by a native of Malden, [[Massachusetts]]. Historians have tended to favor the latter theory as the spellings are more compatible; however, neither explanation is foolproof.<ref>https://collections.shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_dunklin.html</ref>

A trading post was established a few miles north of what became Malden about 1850. It was dubbed "Cotton Hill," as [[cotton]] was grown on the low sandy ridge that ran through this part of the county. When the Little River Valley and Arkansas Railroad was routed through northern Dunklin County in 1877, it passed to the south of Cotton Hill, whose buildings were then relocated alongside the railroad. There are two competing theories for how Malden received its name; one, that it was named in honor of Colonel T. H. Mauldin, a respected local landowner and [[Stoddard County, Missouri|Stoddard County]] court judge; two, that it was laid out by a native of Malden, [[Massachusetts]]. Historians have tended to favor the latter theory as the spellings are more compatible; however, neither explanation is foolproof.<ref>https://collections.shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_dunklin.html</ref> Another local explanation is that one of the town organizers was told to name it Malden in a dream. The city was officially incorporated on April 22, 1878.<ref>https://www.maldenmuseum.com/</ref>

The city suffered a serious setback with the outbreak of a devastating fire in January 1899, but it quickly rebuilt and prospered, thanks largely to the especially fertile soil in the vicinity that supported the growing of cotton, corn, and melons and other fruit. Fruit-growing continues to be an important part of the local economy today.

The city suffered a serious setback with the outbreak of a devastating fire in January 1899, but it quickly rebuilt and prospered, thanks largely to the especially fertile soil in the vicinity that supported the growing of cotton, corn, and melons and other fruit. Fruit-growing continues to be an important part of the local economy today.

Agriculture, transportation, and light manufacturing have traditionally been the main pillars of the local economy, and continue to be significant. The sandy soil supports the growing of many fruits and vegetables in addition to cotton, and watermelons, sweet corn, peaches, and tomatoes, among other crops, can be found at roadside stands during the summer. Moreover, the Malden Regional Airport, a former military airfield, is the anchor for the industrial park on the north side of town. Education, retail trade, and health care employ significant numbers of residents as well.

Agriculture, transportation, and light manufacturing have traditionally been the main pillars of the local economy, and continue to be significant. The sandy soil supports the growing of many fruits and vegetables in addition to cotton, and watermelons, sweet corn, peaches, and tomatoes, among other crops, can be found at roadside stands during the summer. Moreover, the Malden Regional Airport, a former military airfield, is the anchor for the industrial park on the north side of town. Education, retail trade, and health care employ significant numbers of residents as well.

==References==

==References==