Cato is an
unincorporated community
An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...
in
Barry County, in the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sove ...
of
Missouri
Missouri is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee): Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee to the east, Arkansas t ...
. The community is located on
Missouri Route 39
Route 39 is a two-lane highway in southwest Missouri. Its northern terminus is at U.S. Route 54 between Collins and El Dorado Springs at the community of Cedar Springs; its southern terminus is at the Arkansas state line (north of Berryville, ...
in the
Mark Twain National Forest
Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) is a U.S. National Forest located in the southern half of Missouri. MTNF was established on September 11, 1939. It is named for author Mark Twain, a Missouri native. The MTNF covers of which is public owned, ...
, approximately ten miles east-northeast of
Cassville.
History
A post office called Cato was established in 1895, and remained in operation until 1958. The community was named after Cato, a local Native American.
Cato is mentioned in the 1960 film "Elmer Gantry."
References
Unincorporated communities in Barry County, Missouri
Unincorporated communities in Missouri
{{BarryCountyMO-geo-stub