Lathrop, Missouri - Mule Capital of the World!

There may not be a lot of mules left in this community but the town still claims the title due to its past. The mule was a great asset to the farmers throughout the United States in the 19th century. Mules are stubborn but they are a much better work animal than horses. Missouri became the place for mules. In 1890, Missouri had over 240,000 of them. I guess that is why Missouri claims the mule as its state animal. Anyway, the Guyton and Harrington Mule Company came to Lathrop. By 1891, this company doubled the population of mules in the state of Missouri. Many people in the nation thought their mules were the finest in the world. For you city folk who wonder how to make a mule, it is a hybrid created from a “jack” (male donkey) and a “jenny” (female horse). In August, the community is host to a mule show. It’s quite an event!