Rome is an unincorporated community in southern Douglas County, Missouri, United States. It is located on Beaver Creek, approximately southwest of Ava on a county road one-half mile off the end of Route A and west of Smallett. Arno lies on Beaver Creek, about north and Brownbranch in Taney County lies on Beaver Creek, to the southwest.Ava, Missouri, 30x60 Minute Topographic Quad, USGS, 1985
History In 1840 Wright's Mill, built by James Wright, was at the location and was perhaps the earliest grist mill on Beaver Creek. Circa 1850, the Lawrence Mill, built by William Lawrence, was at the same location.Brown, Kenneth, Before Rome, There Was Fort Lawrence,Journal of the Douglas County (Mo.) Historical and Genealogical Society, Summer 2004, pp 26-32
During the Civil War, Rome was the location of Lawrence Mill. Union forces built a blockhouse to defend the location. Fort Lawrence consisted of a two-story building or stockade with dimensions of 100 by 40 feet and was defended by militiamen or "Missouri home guards". Forces under the command of Confederate General Marmaduke attacked and burned the fort in January 1863 while on their way to Springfield.Suskey, A. M., Introduction of Douglas County and the Civil War, Douglas County Historical Society Journal, December 1994, p. 27Ozark County History, Chapter VII, Civil War, 1861-1865
Rome previously had its own post office from 1888–1957.Post Offices in Douglas County, MO The community was named after Rome, in Italy.
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