Ava

Located deep in the heart of the picturesque Ozark Mountains, Ava, Missouri is a thriving community with its eye on the future and yet remaining ever mindful of its past. We are internationally recognized as the world headquarters of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association, yet we are as down to earth and homespun as a Norman Rockwell painting.

Originally named Military Springs (or Militia Springs) when it was used by the federal army during the Civil War, its name was changed by James Hailey who designed the town in 1871. Why the name Ava was chosen is disputed. Some sources say it was based upon a town that was mentioned in one of the books in the Bible. The more interesting story is that Ava is Hebrew for "overthrowing," perhaps referring to Ava overthrowing Vera Cruz as county seat; this apparently was done by Ava officials stealing the records from the Vera Cruz courthouse.