CHAFFEE -- Betty Mirly discovered enough information to write a book on the history of her hometown. And she doesn't even like history.

While doing a volunteer research project for the Scott County Historical Association, Mirly learned that Chaffee is 90 years old this month.

"I first got interested in my family history," she said. "I like the information and the stories behind them."

Mirly, who has lived in Chaffee for about 50 years, found plenty of interesting stories while researching the town's origins. One focuses on the town's name.

There are two conflicting stories about how the town got its name in 1905. One group believes that the town was named after a St. Louis real estate developer. Another believes it was named after a war hero, Edna R. Chaffee, who served in the Spanish-American War.

Although no one knows for certain, it is more likely that the town was named after the Chaffee Real Estate Company, Mirly said.

The company bought the land for the city, and all the city streets -- except two, Heeb and Helen streets -- were named after prominent developers.

Of the 1,800 acres that became the city of Chaffee, 150 acres were later given to the railroad for a terminal.

"The railroad is what put Chaffee on the map," Mirly said, adding that the site was chosen because it was halfway between St. Louis and Memphis, Tenn.

During its early years, the town was infamous among railroad workers because of its malaria epidemic. Many of the workers lived in tents near the railroad station, which used to be part of a swamp.

Mirly began her research project about three weeks ago. She started at the library, but found much of her information from local residents.

"People have really responded," she said. "There's a lot of history in the town."

Now Mirly wants to compile some of those facts and stories into a book.

"The hardest thing is deciding where to start," she said. "It's like hitting the jackpot."

She hopes to include a history of the schools, churches and businesses in the town.

"I feel that Chaffee, for its population, has more churches than other small towns around," she said.

Although the town doesn't have any celebration planned, it has held celebrations for its 50th and 75th anniversaries.

"It will be interesting to see what they do in 2005," she said.