Lathrop Missouri is located 40 miles north of Kansas City in Northwest Missouri, only a few miles to the west of Interstate 35 in Clinton County.  Lathrop has a population of around 2,300 citizens.  Lathrop retains the qualities of "small town" living while still being close to two large metropolitan areas (Saint Joseph and Kansas City, MO). 

Lathrop was once known as the Mule Capital of the World and was home to the Guyton and Harrington Mule and Horse firm that supplied horses and mules to the British Government during the Boer War from 1898 to 1901 and later to the Indian government.  It was estimated that Guyton and Harrington supplied about 350,000 horses and mules during World War 1, making Lathrop, Missouri the Mule Capital of the world at that time. 

Climate

The Climate of Lathrop is typically Midwestern with a variation of temperatures and precipitation.  The average temperature is 55 degrees.  There are two months with averages below 32 degrees.  July is the warmest with an average temperature of 79 degrees.  The average date of the first fall freeze is October 22, making the growing season approximately 192 days.  Average snow fall is 20 inches and the annual precipitation is 34.2 inches.

Demographics

Demographic Information/ Population Data, etc.

Local News

Meeting Room Rentals

Several local organizations have facilities to rent

Betty Brazelton Community Center - Call 816.740.4251
Community Center - Call 816.740.4251
Lathrop American Legion Post #467 - Call 816.740.4251
Lathrop Antique Car & Tractor Assn. - Call 816.528.3511 (Jim Plowman) or 816.740.3766 (Sam Swindler)

Recycling - Clean Up

Recycling buildings are located at 101 Pine Street for the collection of glass, metals, cardboard, plastics and newspapers. 

City wide Clean Up Day is held twice each year, once in the spring and once in the fall.  The dates are shown on the water bills.  For these clean up days the City provides trash dumpsters at the City Maintenance Barn from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for tax paying citizens living within the city limits of Lathrop.  You are required to show proof of residency.  No tires, batteries or yard waste, paint, or metal items, or oil are allowed in the dumpsters.  These items can be disposed of, when scheduled, for pick up by Region D Solid Waste Management.  They schedule and hold pick up days for these items at irregular intervals.  For more information call Brenda Kennedy at 816.393.5250.

Schools

Lathrop R-II web site

Special Events

The Antique Car and Tractor Association hosts their annual festival the 3rd weekend in June.  The 2nd weekend in October they host the Living History Festival and Small Farmers Reunion.  The 1st Saturday in August they sponsor the Mule Show.  Their show grounds are located south Lathrop off 33 Highway.  Their website is www.lathropantique.com . 

The Lathrop Festival Corporation sponsors the Friendship Festival in the last weekend in July and the Holiday Market the 3rd Saturday in November.  For more information, contact Jill Gerber 816.6287.1986 or Susie Freece, 816.740.3508.

Other Lathrop activities can be found at www.lathropmoonline.com .

The American Legion Post 467 sponsors a very impressive Memorial Day Service held at the Lathrop Cemetery each year at 11:00 a.m.  Contact person for this event is Carrol Clingan 816.528.3373.

Taxes

All property is assessed as of January 1 of the given year.  Taxes are delinquent after December 31.  Interest and penalties are added January 1.  Real Estate and Personal Property taxes for the City of Lathrop are included on your Clinton County Tax statement, and are paid to Clinton Coun ty Collector's Office at Plattsburg, Missouri.  Call 816.539.3726.

Water / Trash Services

For city water and to sign up for sewer and trash services, contact Lathrop City Hall 816.740.4251.  The City of Lathrop water bills are due on the 15th of each month.  Advanced deposit is required for new services.  $100 for homeowners, $200 for renters.  City trash services are provided by the City of Lathrop at a rate of $13.00 per month (included in monthly water bill). 

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Lathrop is known as the former Mule Capitol of the World.