Licking Map
Licking is a city located in Texas County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,471 at the 2000 census.
Licking is located at 37°29?48?N 91°51?27?W / 37.49667°N 91.8575°W / 37.49667; -91.8575 (37.496775, -91.857629). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.5 km²), of which, 1.7 square miles (4.5 km²) of it is land and 0.57% is water.
Licking or "The Lick" as it was originally known, takes its name from a buffalo lick, which were alive with deer up until 1835. The earliest settlers came in 1826. During the Civil War the countryside was scourged by armies of both sides, and when the war was over, few homes were left standing. In 1880 a tornado nearly destroyed the town and the homes of the people living there, but by 1889 Licking was once again a thriving little town. At this time, the Licking Academy was thought to be one of the best institutions of higher learning in this part of the state.
Nearby cities include Raymondville, Houston, Edgar Springs, Plato.