In 1937, L.M. and William (Buster) Laurie bought an old building on the east side of Highway 5 at Route O and began operating a grocery store and filling station. A year later, Buster Laurie traded a horse for a year's lease on a building across the road on the west side of Highway 5. This became, and would remain, the Laurie Market.
The market was the only building in the area to have a phone and the only facility with a drilled water well. The Lauries allowed several nearby families to tap into the well, and folks throughout the area would come to the store to use the phone.
In 1947, Tom and Buster Laurie purchased a sawmill and sold it a year later to Les Moore. This small operation grew to become Laurie's largest business as Moore's Lumber and Supply.
In 1961, residents of the area petitioned for a post office and chose the name Laurie because of the goodwill generated by the family store over the years. The town itself was incorporated on June 13, 1966.
Laurie is located in Morgan County Missouri & is in the Osage Township.
22% of Laurie residents report German ancestry, and 14% report Irish.
The latitude of Laurie is 38.199N. The longitude is -92.833W.
It is in the Central Standard time zone. Elevation is 965 feet.
The estimated population in 2003, was 690.
As of 2007, Laurie's population was 712 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 7.39 percent.
The median home cost in Laurie is $259,000. Home appreciation the last year has been 10.19 percent.
Compared to the rest of the country, Laurie's cost of living is 9.52% Lower than the U.S. average.
Laurie public schools spend $4,487 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 14 students per teacher in Laurie.
The unemployment rate in Laurie is 5.30 % (U.S. avg. is 4.60%). Recent job growth is positive. Laurie jobs have increased by 0.56 %.
Presently Laurie is home to the Laurie Clinic a division of Lake Regional Health System. Laurie has a hometown grocery store with a branch in Stover, and at least five churches. Many small businesses dot the main street in Laurie, car dealers, carpet, real estate, banks, and of course restaurants and gift shops.
Located in Laurie, Missouri, The Old St. Patrick's Church was founded in 1868 and held services until 1952. The church has been completely restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A natural grotto is the home of Mary, Mother of the Church Shrine. This open air shrine can seat several thousand guests and is located in Laurie and holds regular services.
