La Belle

History

A post office called La Belle has been in operation since 1856. The first permanent settlement at La Belle was made in 1857, and the town site platted in 1871. La Belle is derived from the French meaning "the beautiful", and the settlement was so named from its scenic setting. The city of La Belle was incorporated in 1872, although it had been a village and stage coach stop much earlier.

Geography

La Belle is located at (40.115624, -91.915919). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. La Belle is located on Missouri Route 6, which is collinear with State Street throughout much of the city.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  118
• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  108
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  108
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  104
• Eastern Meadowlark

  Sturnella magna (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  98
• Red-headed Woodpecker

  Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  96
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  94
• Dickcissel

  Spiza americana (J.F.Gmelin, 1789) · Aves
  90

Most recent

• M 2.59 — 2022-12-05
  4 km SW of Madison, Missouri
• M 2.9 — 2004-02-08
  6 km SSW of Stoutsville, Missouri