MO DPO - Prior - machine cancel - ghost town today - 1908

Prior effectively "faded" from a bustling settlement to its current rural state during the early-to-mid 20th century. The loss of its post office in 1939 marked a significant decline in its status as a central community hub. Some historical databases and local lists now classify Prior as a "populated place" that borders on being a ghost town, as many of the original businesses and services from its 19th-century peak are gone