Booger County (Ava, Eminence: shop, safe, activity)

[Indy4570]

Well after more than one reference to "Booger County" and more than a few questions about the origin of the moniker for Douglas county I decided to get to the bottom of it.
What an interesting journey it has been! Through the wonder of the internet and the phone companies I believe I have found the answer.
First let me say that there are several places in the country that have been labeled with the name of "Booger". I must also point out that the reasons are diverse. Very few if any,(there must be some) are referring to the nasty little nose crumb. Many are connected to Bigfoot as in a Texas county that bears the nickname. The "Booger Man " is the reason it was attached to Douglas County. I do not know the reason behind neighboring Shannon County getting the name.
Back to Douglas County, it seems that after the Civil War on the outskirts of Ava, Missouri which was and is still is the county seat for Douglas county there was a sign posted that read as follows. "If your black don't let the sun set on your head or the Booger Man will get you. ". I learned this from a lifelong resident of Douglas county and I believe it to be the true origin in That county at least. He goes on to tell how the federal government some time later came and took the signs down. Of course He was adamant about the fact that it was over 140 years ago and attitudes where different back then. I also learned that others felt it had a more general application to any outsider after the Civil War. It was said that any suspicious activity by an outsider in the time after the civil War could result in the stranger simply disappearing. People would say "the booger man got him" .
The name has stuck no matter the origins and is used by business's and organizations all over Southern Missouri . There is an ice cream shop in Eminence, Mo. A car dealership In Dora, Mo. There are turkey hunting groups and coon hunters clubs. There is a race in northern Arkansas that bears the name. One area in northern Arkansas that bears the name "Booger Hollow" boasts a population of "Seven men and One raccoon ".
It would seem that in some southern states there is a Booger Hollow in almost every county. There is a county in Oklahoma that has the same nickname as well as one in Colorado.

For all those who speculated about the name or were misinformed as to the origin I hope this will set the record straight.

As always be well and be safe but most of all be happy!

[Jcoon]

thanks indy.....love history

[Ava Native]

I found your details interesting on why Booger county got its name. I had heard from my grandmother about the this sundown sign. My grandma is 93 and is full of great information. Thanks for sharing you findings.