Did you know there are eight towns in the United States named Cuba? Yep, every town has an origin story, but ours will really stick with you. Here is how Cuba MO got its name:
In December of 1857, surveyors Trask and Ferguson created the original layout of Cuba. The town included 32 blocks and five streets. The new survey created what was to be the new town along the future Frisco Line railroad.
This new town needed a name. The name of the town became the responsibility of Postmaster George M. Jamison and Wesley Smith. Just to the west, Jamison and his wife, Amanda, operated the general store and called the area Amanda.
Jamison wanted to name the new town Amanda after his wife. However, store customers often expressed sympathy for the small island of Cuba, whose residents were fighting for their independence from Spain.
Other versions of the story say, some had visited the isle of Cuba and found it beautiful and it was lush like the Ozark Plateau. Whichever version is true, when Jamison mentioned naming the new town for his wife, patrons proposed the name Cuba also.
Supposedly, the name was decided by patrons of the general store and post office. Townspeople tossed a designated stick, depending on how it landed, cast a vote for Amanda or Cuba. It is obvious how the stick decision turned out.
Interestingly, if you search for Cuba, Missouri on Google Maps, you will see Amanda is still there, discreetly on the west side of town. Some things just “stick” around!
Learn more about Cuba Missouri at visitcubamo.com.
