This partial list of city nicknames in Missouri compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in Missouri are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :) , MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency. Branson Las Vegas If Ned Flanders Ran It Brunswick – Home of the World's Largest Pecan Carthage – The Maple Leaf CityWelcome to "America's Maple Leaf City" , Carthage, Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau. Accessed June 13, 2007. Chillicothe – Home of Sliced Bread Columbia Bocomo The Havana on the Hinkson The Athens of Missouri CoMo Cuba – Mural City Hannibal America's Hometown The Bluff CityBarry Popik, Smoky City, barrypopik.com website, March 27, 2005 Independence – Where the Trails Start and the Buck StopsTagline Guru City Branding Survey, Tagline Guru website, accessed August 18, 2009 Jefferson City City of Thomas Jefferson J.C. Jeff Kansas City BBQ Capital of the WorldKansas City Background Information , 16th Annual ACI-NA Conference & Exhibition. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Kansas City, Missouri is often abbreviated as 'KCMO', or just 'KC' (although this often refers to the entire metro area). It is officially nicknamed the City of Fountains, with over 200 installations, ranking second in the world and exceeded only by Rome. It is also nicknamed the Heart of America because it is within 250 miles (400 km) of both the geographic and population centers of the United States. Informal nicknames include Jazz Capital of the World, Cowtown, and the BBQ Capital of the World, while residents are known as Kansas Citians." City of FountainsCity of Fountains, Experience KC. Accessed June 13, 2007. "It's Kansas City. And these are but a few of the hundreds of majestic fountains that make their home in this Midwestern treasure, known as the City of Fountains." Cowtown Jazz Capital of the World K.C. (inspiring the nickname of Casey Stengel, among others) KCMO Paris of the Plains"Kansas City Draws Upon Its Jazz Heritage at Paris Air Show" , Kansas City infoZine. June 11, 2007. "The Kansas City Aviation Department, Greater Kansas City Area Development Council, Platte County (Mo.) Economic Development Council and State of Missouri will join forces to host a 'Paris of the Plains' booth inside the U.S.A. Pavilion at the Paris Air Show (Hall 3, Booth D13B), featuring the music of well-known jazz icons such as Kansas City natives Charlie 'Yardbird' Parker, William 'Count' Basie and Jay McShann."
King City – The Gem of the Highway Kirkwood – The Green Tree CityComprehensive Annual Financial Report , City of Kirkwood. Missouri, September 27, 2002. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Known as 'The Green Tree City,' the City is an attractive suburban residential community with tree- lined streets." Lathrop – Mule Capital of the WorldCity of Lathrop, Mo – Mule Capital of the World (official city website), accessed September 19, 2008 Marionville – Home of the White SquirrelsWhite Squirrel Wars, Roadside America, accessed April 21, 2007. "Olney, IL; Marionville, MO; Kenton, TN; Brevard, NC; Exeter, ON. Not one, but five towns use albino squirrels as their claims to fame, and none is particularly happy about the others." Moberly – Magic CityWelcome to Moberly, Missouri, Moberly, MO – Official Website. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Founded in 1866, Moberly's explosive growth in 1873 earned it the title, 'The Magic City'." Neosho – Flower Box CityClaims to Fame – Favorites , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Nixa – Home of Jason Bourne Peculiar – Where the Odds Are with You St. Louis Chess Capital of the World Gateway to the WestU.S. City Monikers, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008 Lion of the ValleyJames Neal Primm, "Lion of the Valley: St. Louis, Missouri, 1764–1980", Saint Louis, MO: Missouri History Museum Press, 1998, p.327 The LouSteve Parker, , St. Louis Post-Dispatch editors' blog, 05.01.2008 Mound City River City Rome of the WestCamille Phillips, "Why Is St. Louis Named After A French King Who Was Born 800 Years Ago?, St. Louis Public Radio All Things Considered, 04.22.2014 There's More Than Meets the Arch Salem – Charcoal Capital of the World Sedalia – The Queen City of the PrairieWhistle Stops 1 – 15 , Sedalia's Heritage Trail. Accessed June 13, 2007. "We’re proud to be called the Queen City of the Prairie." Springfield Birthplace of Route 66Springfield sits at the crossroads of history! , Springfield, Missouri, Convention & Visitors Bureau. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Officially recognized as the birthplace of Route 66, it was in Springfield on April 30, 1926, that officials first proposed the name of the new Chicago-to-Los Angeles highway." Queen City of the OzarksBillings, Hank. "Historian puts date on origin of 'Queen City'" , Springfield News-Leader, June 4, 2007. Accessed June 13, 2007. "Does Springfield's title as Queen City of the Ozarks go back to 1876?" Sumner – Wild Goose Capital of the WorldClaims to Fame – Birds , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Warrensburg – The BurggoBurg.com Washington – Corn Cob Pipe Capital of the World
See also List of city nicknames in the United States
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