February 18, 1859
The city of Pacific is incorporated after changing its name from Franklin. With two towns in the state called Franklin, there were issues with mail and train service, as both towns were right along the rails. The town in central Missouri kept the name Franklin, while city leaders at the other Franklin—located along what is now the I-44 corridor—decided to rename their town Pacific in honor of the Pacific Railroad running through downtown.
Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.
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