Cabool, Missouri

Cabool is a city in southern Texas County, Missouri. It had a population of 2,146 at the 2010 census.

Cabool, Missouri
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Settled	1882
Population	2,146 (2010 census)
Area (sq mi)	3.90 mi²
Current mayor	Donnie Wells

History

The Cabool area was settled as early as 1852, when a post office with the name "Cedar Bluff" was established about a mile from the present site of the town; however, an organized community did not appear until 1882, following the construction of the Kansas City, Fort Scott, and Memphis Railroad, at which time its name was changed. The unusual name "Cabool" is generally thought to be an old spelling of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and was bestowed on the new town by either Ralph Walker, a real estate promoter, or one of the railroad engineers who had previously worked in Afghanistan and thought the region was very similar in appearance. Another version (probably apocryphal) is that it was the name of a local Indian chief; according to the tale, he and his lover, Tahassie, jumped off a cliff to their deaths, rather than be separated by their parents, who disapproved of their relationship. This is the most popular explanation among Cabool residents themselves.

The town saw a great deal of activity during its early years thanks to harvesting of the dense pine forests nearby, with no fewer than seven water-powered mills in operation at one point to process the lumber. Though this source of income gradually faded, the town maintained a slow but steady growth, as the surrounding land was converted to other profitable uses such as the grazing of dairy cattle, and the construction of major federal highways nearby made it a convenient rest stop for travelers. Today, Cabool is one of several small but prosperous communities in Texas County.

Geography

Cabool is located at the junction of U.S. Routes 60 and 63 in southwestern Texas County, and is the northern terminus of Missouri State Highway 181. It is about nine miles east of Mountain Grove, fifteen miles southwest of Houston, and eleven miles northwest of Willow Springs. Its exact coordinates are 37°07’32”N 92°06’04”W.

The city lies in upland terrain near the headwaters of Big Piney River, which flows northward into the Gasconade River and thence the Missouri. It has a total area of 3.90 square miles, and an average elevation of 1,283 feet.

Demographics

At the 2010 census, Cabool had a total of 2,146 inhabitants, grouped into 918 households, with a population density of 558.9 people per square mile. This figure represented a slight decrease from the 2000 census, when Cabool had a population of 2,168. 96.37% of the inhabitants were White, 0.37% were African-American, 0.47% were Native American, 0.56% were Asian, 0.14% were from some other race, and 2.10% were from two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 2.56% of the population.

The median age in Cabool was 39.6 years, with 26.9% of inhabitants under the age of 18, 7.7% between 18 and 24 years old, 21.2% between 25 and 44, 22.3% between 45 and 64, and 21.9% 65 years old or older. The sex ratio was 47.6% male, 52.4% female.

According to the 2018 American Community Survey, Cabool had a median household income of $24,135, and a median family income of $34,010. The unemployment rate was 11.8%. The per capita income was $14,890. About 33.4% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 36.9% of people under the age of 18 and 19.2% of people 65 years old or older.

Education

A school system has existed in Cabool since the early 1880s, at which time the high school was known as McCully Academy after its founder. Today, the city and surrounding area are served by the Cabool R-IV School District, a PK-12 public institution with an enrollment of about 765 students. Its mascot is the Bulldogs, and the school colors are blue and white.

Community Life

Most of the city's businesses are located along downtown Ozark Street (Business Route 60) and Highway 181 just to the south. Many of these are service-oriented, drawing many long-distance travelers along Routes 60 and 63. Dairy farming is also a significant part of the economy.

Opportunities for local recreation include Roberts Park, with an amphitheater and walking trail, a nearby swimming pool, and the 9-hole Wedgewood Golf Course outside of town. There is also a traditional Fourth of July festival, with live music, fiddling contests, and pioneer crafts.