A Directory of Towns, Villages, and Hamlets
Past and Present
of Cass County, Missouri

Compiled by Arthur Paul Moser


[1]

Archie (elevation 836 feet)

On the construction of what is known as the L. & S. branch of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, north and south through the center of the county, in 1880, the town of Archie came into existence. The first business house was built in 1880 by Henry T. Carr... (--Glenn, p. 130.)

H. T. Carr was postmaster in 1883. (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, pp. 126, 127.)

Archie is situated on the south central edge of the county near Bates County, at Sec. 33, 34, Twp. 43 N, R. 31 W., at the junction of Highways A, B, & 74. (--General Highway Map of Cass Co., issued by The Missouri State Highway commission, 8-1-62. Unless otherwise noted, all map descriptions are from this map.)

Archie came into existence in 1880 when the Missouri Pacific was extended south from Pleasant Hill. The town gained fame as the home of several state championship high school basketball games in both boys' and girls' division. Of further interest to sports fans, especially National League baseball followers, Archie was the home of Glenn Wright, former star shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. (--The Empire that Missouri Pacific Serves, p. 191.)

Archie was named for a son of Mr. Talmage. The influential Mr. Talmage, who was General Passenger Agent for the Missouri Pacific Railway, succeeded in having stations named for each of his four sons, Adrian, Bates Co.; Archie, Cass Co.; Arthur, Vernon Co., and Sheldon, Vernon Co. (--Our Storehouse of Missouri Place Names, Ramsay, pp. 76, 77.)

Austin (Austin Township)

Austin was laid out in the fall of 1855, by John T. Philips. The first house in the town was erected by John T. Philips in 1854, for a man by the name of Charles Keller, who sold the first general stock of goods brought to town. The first residence was built in the fall of 1856, by John T. Philips. Esquire Jackson operated a blacksmith shop in the fall of 1855. The town was named in honor of William Austin, one of Keller's clerks above named...

The first steam saw-mill in the township was owned and operated by Tarleton Railey. It was a half mile west of Austin on Grand River. (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, pp. 121, 122.)

It is situated in the south central section of the county, northeast of Archie, in Sec. 24, Twp. 43 N, R. 31 W. on T north of B.

Mail via Archie; population 100. (--Rand, McNally Reference Guide of Missouri, 1974.)

[2]

Avon
Avon is on the Missouri Pacific R. R., first station north of Pleasant Hill. (--Evening in Wisconsin Edition Atlas, 1896, Rand, McNally.)

It has no population. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

The name is of literary derivation. (--Ramsay, pp. 92, 93.)

Barton
Barton was northwest of Harrisonville. (--Map of Missouri, 1911, Rand, McNally.)

It is no longer listed.

Belton
Belton was founded by George W. Scott...During the construction of the Pleasant Hill & Lawrence Railway in 1870, a town called Rankin had been projected a mile west of Belton. Rankin was the highest point in the State, west of the Ozarks. Nothing was erected there except a box-house which served as a base of supplies for the construction gang. Mr. Scott then lived at Lee's Summitt...He learned about the enterprise at Rankin, and decided that the present location of Belton was topographically a better place for a town...He interested W. H. Colburn, a Lee's Summit banker in the enterprise and they bought the land on which Belton was built. A railway blacksmith named Belt had a forge with a shelter over it near the northwest corner of the town. As this shelter was the first semblance of a building on the ground the name was named Belton.

Belton was platted in 1871...The first dwelling was moved here from High Blue by Frank Dresser... (--Glenn, pp. 108, 109.)

The first settlement made after the laying out of the town was by Keith Thompson, who erected a frame business house...John Johnson was the first shoemaker, A. J. Smith, druggist... (--History of Cass Co., 1883, p. 210.)

It covers several sections in Twp. 46 N, R 33 W at the junction of Y & 58 near Jackson County line.

Big Creek
See Strasburg.
Brosley
Brosley was located near the northeast corner of the northwest qr. of Sec. 20, in Township 43 N, of Range 33 W, in Cold Water Township. G. K. Christopher opened a general store soon after the War of the Rebellion...Other stores started up.

The prospects were fine for an all round good trade until the advent of the railroad. This came too near to benefit them and yet was too far to help their trade. West Line and Freeman ruined the business of Brosley. So in the early 1870's Brosley went off the map and the once promising town site is now (1917) a cornfield. (--Glenn, pp. 137, 138.)

See Drexel.

Nothing shown on the map.

There is a Broseley (Baileys) in Butler County. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

[3]

Cleveland (elevation 975 feet)

Cleveland is on the western border of the county near the half-way distance north and south of the county. It is located on the Kansas City & Southern Railroad, and was located on the projection of this railroad. (--Glenn, pp. 130, 131.)

It is situated at Sec. 32, 33, Twp. 45 N, R. 33 W at the junction of Y & D.

It was named about 1900 for Grover Cleveland, who was re-elected president in 1892. (--Ramsay, p. 54.)

Coleman
Coleman is southeast of Raymore. (--Map of Missouri, 1884, Rand, McNally.)

It is situated at Sec. 6, Twp. 45 N, R. 31 W on an unmarked county road west of 71 west of P.

Mail via Peculiar; no population shown. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Coleman Station
It is southeast of Raymore on the Frisco Railroad. (--Map of Missouri, 1884, Rand, McNally.)

Colemand and Coleman Junction possibly were named for Norman J. Coleman (1827-1911)...He was appointed in 1889 by Pres. Cleveland, our first Secretary of Agriculture. (--Ramsay, p. 70.)

Crawford's Fork
See Strasburg.

There is a Crawford in Scotland County; mail via Memphis. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

[4]

Creighton
With the laying of the track of the Kansas City, Clinton & Springfield Railway in the spring of 1885, there sprang into existence along its line a number of prosperous little towns, among others Creighton. The town was named in honor of John B. Creighton, an early settler in Cass County and a schoolmate of the late George H. Nettleton, then president of the above named railway company...

The well known hardware firm of Stearns and Little of Holden, Missouri, were among the first to make substantial investments...The town of Grant, three miles north of Creighton, moved enmasse to the new town. Dayton sent A. L. Metzer to establish a drug store...

The railway track was laid as far south as Creighton in the month of May, 1885, and in July of the same year, T. P. Shadowens, one of the men who had done more perhaps than any other person to give Austin the enviable reputation as a moral, educational and business center...had cast his lot with the new community and had a large mercantile establishment underway...The first store in Creighton was a little grocery owned and conducted by Charles Gregg...

The town of Creighton was incorporated as a village in October, 1885...In December, 1895, the town having attained a population of five hundred inhabitants, by proclamation became a city of the fourth class. W. H. Cochran...was the first mayor. (--Glenn, pp. 113, 114, 115.)

It is situated in the southeast corner of the county, at Sec. 24 & 25, Twp. 43 N, R. 29 W at the junction of 7 & B on the Henry County line.

Daugherty Station (or Eight Mile Post Office)

It was northwest of Eight Mile, on the K. C. C. & S. R. R. (--Map of Missouri, 1884, Rand, McNally.)

It is situated at Sec. 18, Twp. 44 N, R. 30 W on Highway 7, southeast of Harrisonville.

Daugherty mail via Harrisonville. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Dayton (Dayton Township)

The town was laid out in ----. Alexander B. Griffith erected the first house, which was designed for a business house--general merchandise--in 1856. He operated the store until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion. His store was burned in March, 1861...Drs. Talliaferro and Thornton opened the first drug store. The town increased in population and did considerable business prior to the war. On the first day of January, 1862, the town was burned to ashes, excepting one house, by a band of men wearing the Federal uniform. They not only destroyed the little town of Dayton...but several residences in the vicinity also were burned. (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 146.)

[5]

It is situated at Sec. 25, Twp. 43 N, R. 30 W, at the junction of B & F.

Mail via Garden City; population 25. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Drexel (elevation 1000 feet)

In the extreme southwestern part of the county is located Drexel. It was platted on the completion of the Kansas City and Southern Railway. The town of Brosley went out of existence and practically moved to the present site of this city. (--Glenn, p. 131.)

It is situated at Sec. 31, Twp. 43 N, R. 33 W, at the junction of A & AA. A portion of Drexel extends into Bates Co.

Drexel was named for one of the proprietors of the pioneer store at this place. (--How Mo. Counties, Towns & Streams Were Named, David W. Eaton, p. 273. From a series in Mo. Hist. Rev.)

East Lynn (elevation 855 feet)

Six miles east of Harrisonville on the M. K. & T. R. R. and on the Frisco Railroads is located the town of East Lynne. It was founded in 1871 by Noah M. Givan and Daniel K. Hall, at the time of the projection of the M. K. & T. R. R. It was named after the old time country play of that name. The first business house was built by J. W. McSpadden... (--Glenn, p. 132.)

J. H. Coffman opened the first harness shop...F. A. Hathaway was the first blacksmith. The first shoemaker was a man named Frankfather...The town embraces Sec. 34, Twp. 45 N, R. 30 W. (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 137.)

It is situated on a spur from Highway K north of 2, northeast Harrisonville.

Eight Mile (Camp Branch Township)

Eight Mile post-office was located in Sec. 19, Twp. 44 N, R. 30 W, on the line between Grand River and Camp Branch Townships. A post-office was established here in the spring of 1879. Phillip Longnecker postmaster. John Hendrix built the first house in 1880, for a store... (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 142.)

It was seven miles southeast of Harrisonville and seven and one-half miles northwest of Garden City. (--Williams, P. 353.)

Eight Mile so listed in Gen. Scheme, p. 19; no longer listed, see Daughtery Post-Office.

[6]

Everett (Everett Township)

J. H. Wilcox, from Indiana, laid out the town in 1867, on Sec. 23, Twp. 43 N, R. 32 W. The first house was erected in the town in 1867, by George Mondy. After two or three years had passed, Mondy sold to Charles Brooks...

The earliest blacksmith in the place was Joel Brown, the first shoemaker was Jesse W. Saunders, the first physician was James Hamilton... (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 165.)

It is situated on Highway NN north of A, northwest of Archie.

Mail via Archie; no population. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Farmer Settlement (Big Creek Township)

There was a settlement, known as the Farmer Settlement, called so after the Farmers, a large family who came from East Tennessee and opened claims on Big Creek and its tributaries. Some of their names: John Farmer, Frederick Farmer, Bailey Cook, William Buster, John Briscoe, Reason S. Judy. (--Hist. of Cass Co., p. 129.)

This area is south of Pleasant Hill.

Freeman (elevation 850 feet)

Ten miles west of Harrisonville, on Pony Creek, across the range line between Range 32 and 33, in 1871, was founded the hamlet of Freeman. It is practically the successor of Morristown, situated one mile north of Freeman, and dates its ancient history as far back as 1854. When, what is now called the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad was constructed east and west through the center of the county, the town of Freeman was born or more correctly speaking, the town of Morristown picked up her skirts and moved to the railroad, for the simple reason the railroad would not climb the hill to her. This town was also platted by Hall and Givans, with other associates. (--Glenn, pp. 132, 133.)

It is situated at Sec. 18, R. 32 W and Sec. 13, R. 33 W, Twp. 44 N, at the junction of O & 2.

Garden City
The town was organized in 1885 by the county court ordering its incorporation, and appointing L.W. Burdette, J. S. Halcomb, Thomas Huett and S. K. McBride, the first officers... (--Glenn, p. 121.)

It is situated in the southeastern portion of the county, at Sec. 35, 36, Twp. 44 N, R. 30 W at the junction of 7 & Z.

[7]

Gowdy
Gowdy is the first station southwest from Pleasant Hill, on the Missouri Pacific R. R. (--Evening in Wisconsin Edition Atlas, 1896, Rand, McNally, p. 48.)

It is north of Ore. (--Map of Missouri, 1911, Rand, McNally.)

It has no population. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Grant (Sherman Township)

The village of Grant was laid out in 1867, near the town of Wadesburg, and north of it by H. V. Stahl. It occupied the SE qr. of the NW qr. of the NW qr. of Sec. 12, Twp. 43 N, R. 29 W. R. I. Lotspeich & Bro. did business here before the Civil War and in fact before there was any such place in existence as Grant...Morlan & Bro. moved the first house from Wadesburg to Grant after the latter was laid out...

Grant has no post-office; --1883--the post-office is kept at Wadesburg. (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, pp. 369, 270.)

Grant was located in the same section with Wadesburg in Sherman Township...These two towns were largely the work of spite--unreasonable rivalry. Several of the strongest business firms of the county did business in Grant. The railroad came, Grant disappeared. All to be seen now--1917--is a cemetery and cornfield. (--Glenn, p. 138.)

There is a Grant in St. Louis Co.; Grant City in Worth Co. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

The area described above is on an unmarked county road south of NN, east of Garden City, near Henry County line.

It was named for Ulysses Simpson Grant, noted General of the Civil War. (--Ramsay, p. 54.)

Gunn City (Index Township, elevation 850 feet)

The town was laid out May 9, 1872, by Leens and Bunce twelve miles east of Harrisonville on the Arizona division of the Missouri Pacific R. R.

M. K. Zook built the first house in the town in the winter of 1871, for a store, general merchandise...The next house was put up by George Stolz, for a shop and residence. Mr. Stolz was the first shoemaker...W. I. Handley was one of the first postmasters...population -- 1883, about 115 inhabitants. (--Hist. of Cass Co., p. 202.)

It is situated at Sec. 32, Twp. 45 N, R. 29 W, on M north of 2.

Mail via Latour. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

[8]

Gunn City was named for O. B. Gunn, one time chief engineer of M. K. & T. R. R. (--Eaton, p. 272.)
Hall
Hall was south of Peculiar on St. L. & S. F. (Frisco) R. R. (--Map of Missouri, 1884, Rand, McNally.)

Hall is no longer listed in Cass Co.; Halls is listed in Buchanan County. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Harrelson
Harrelson was located on the Kansas City, Clinton & Springfeild R. R., southeast of Belton. (--Map of Missouri, 1884, Rand, McNally.)

It is situated at Sec. 29, or 30, Twp. 41 N, R. 32 W on Highway 71 north of Peculiar.

It has no population. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Harrisonville (elevation 920 feet)

In 1835, pursuant to an act of the General Assembly of Missouri, David Waldo, of Lafayette County, and Samuel Hink and William Brown, both of Jackson County, located Harrisonville...These commissioners were directed to locate the "seat of justice" near the center of the county, (then Van Buren)...

They located it on Section 4, Township 44 N of Range 31 W, being parts of lots 4, 5 and 6 of the N. E. qr., and parts of lots 4, 5, and 6 of the N. W. qr. all in Section 4, Township 44 N, Range 31 W, Cass County, Missouri...

The town was named after Albert G. Harrison, member-elect of the House of Representatives of the United States. He was one of the first two members elected in 1866 from Missouri...

The first county court met at the residence of James W. McClellan, about three miles southeast of the present town of Peculiar, on September 14, 1835...

The first court house was let by contract to Henry F. Baker, in 1844. This structure when torn down showed brick on which deer track were imprinted. The story went that while Baker was forming and drying the brick for the building, droves of wild deer trampled over the yard and brick...(--Glenn, pp. 123, 124, 125.)

...Fleming Harris was appointed county seat commissioner. From the records it appears the sale of the first town lots occurred January 12, 1837...James W. McClellan was the first postmaster; he was appointed January 9, 1837... (--Hist. of Cass Co., pp. 171, 172, 197.)

It covers several sections in Twp. 44 and 45 N, R. 31 W, at the junction of 2, 7 & 71.

[9]

Hazen
See Raymore.

High Blue (Mt. Pleasant Township)

High Blue was the name of a small business point after the Civil War. It contained a post-office and two or three business houses and a church edifice. The store, general stock, was kept in 1867-'8 by Plegar & Willis. The blacksmith's name was ________ Arbaugh. The town ceased to exist after the laying out of Belton, some of the buildings being moved to that place. (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 215.)
Huber
Huber is north of Harrisonville, south of Ore, on the Missouri Pacific R. R. (--Map of Missouri, 1911, Rand, McNally.)

It has no population. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Index (Index Township)

Captain A. S. O' Bannon, in 1857, surveyed and laid out the town of Index on the farm of E. S. Payne in the SE. qr. of the NW. qr. of Sec. 21, Twp. 44 N, R. 29 W, in the municipal township of the same name. Mr. Payne erected a store building and conducted a general store for several years. Among the early business men were the Rev. D. N. Horne, Alonzo Smith, L. West, Cy Lotspeich, Dr. J. H. Van Hoy and A. S. O'Bannon. O'Bannon taught school there...

Few there are now--1917--who remember this town, although it has been gone but a few years. On the demise of Index some of its houses and all its business houses moved to Garden City, in the same township. (--Glenn, pp. 138, 139.)

A cemetery is shown in this section which is near Johnson County line.

The post-office was discontinued in 1905. (--General Scheme, p. 19.)

Jaudon
Jaudon is on the western edge of the county, five and one-half miles south of Belton and six and one-half miles north of Cleveland. (--Williams, p. 353.)

It is situated at Secs. 3 & 4, Twp. 45 N, R. 33 W on D north of Cleveland.

Mail via Belton; no population shown. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

It was named for James A. Jaudon, land owner. (--Ramsay, p. 80.)

[10]

Jonesville (West Dolan Township)

Another interesting but now extinct town, was Jonesville, located in the western part of the county. The town was located...in the southwest corner of the southeast qr. of the southwest qr. of Sec. 17, in Township 44 N, R. 33 W in West Dolan Township... (--Glenn, p. 136.)

Jonesville was named in honor of B. F. Jones, who laid off forty acres of land in West Dolan Township into town lots. Steven Flood opened the first business house, general merchandise. Samuel Estel and Silas Gardner were the first blacksmiths. D. G. Davidson taught the first school. J. C. McCarty was one of the first postmasters.

Like Morristown, Jonesville had no businesses of any kind... (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 162.)

This area is north of Freeman. Highway 2 runs through the area.

Kingston
Kingston was on the Frisco R. R., northwest of Harrisonville. (--Map of Missouri, 1884, Rand, McNally.)

It is no longer listed.

Lick-Skillet
Lick-Skillet, located on the Grand River, in the southeastern part of the county. It has passed out of existence and its location cannot now (1917) be certainly known. It was most probably a mile east of Dayton... (--Glenn, p. 135.)

The area is on the southern edge of the county, near Bates County.

The meaning of the name is of Disapprobation. (--Ramsay, p. 88.)

Lisle
Lisle is in the southwest corner of the county, on Kansas City and Southern Railway. (--Map of Missouri, 1884, Rand, McNally.)

It is five miles north of Drexel. (--Williams, p. 353.)

It is situated at Secs. 5 & 8, Twp. 43 N, R. 33 W on an unmarked county road west of D north of OO.

Mail via Drexel; population 10. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

It was named for Judge J. D. Lisle. (--Ramsay, p. 68.)

[11]

Lone Tree
Lone Tree is the first station south of Harrisonville, on the Missouri Pacific R. R. (--Evening in Wisconsin Edition Atlas, 1896, Rand, McNally, p. 48.)

It is situated at Sec. 32, Twp. 44 N, R. 31 W on an unmarked county road west of 71.

Mail via Harrisonville; population 30. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Main City (Everett Township)

In the extreme southern portion of Everett Township, the little village of Main City was laid out in 1899, in the southeast corner of Sec. 30, and the northeast corner of Sec. 31.

The first house erected in the place was a dwelling and occupied by F. C. Moses, in November, 1879. The first store building, for general merchandise, was occupied on Christmas Day, 1879, by Moses Bro's. (H. C., F. C. and M. J.) and in April, 1881, Main bought one-fourth interest, the firm name being Moses, Main and Co...

H. C. Main, postmaster; daily mail to Freeman, and tri-weekly to La Cynge, Kan. The blacksmith was J. C. Voorhees, John McGuire and Robert T. Owens were the millers; their mill being located on Elm Branch. (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 166.)

It is situated at Secs. 29, 30, 31 & 32, Twp. 43 N, R. 32 W on A east of O.

The post-office was discontinued in 1905. (--General Scheme, p. 19.)

Mail now via Drexel; no population shown. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Morristown
Morristown was located about 1845 by J. C. Morris from Pennsylvania...It was located about one mile northwest of the present town of Freeman, on the M. K. & T. R. R. As early as 1853, the place contained a general store and did quite a business for the times. Just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, Morris had built himself a dwelling house and erected a flouring mill. Morristown continued to flourish, after the war, having been rebuilt.

When the railroad was extended east and west, through the county, Freeman was located on the railroad too close for Morrisville to flourish, so this town passed out of existence at the late date of 1870.

Morristown is, probably, most renowned for having had the battle of Morristown fought on its streets and near the town. The Federal troops were commanded by Col. Johnson, from Kansas, and the Confederates by Col. Will Hugh Irwin... (--Glenn, p. 137; Hist. of Cass Co., pp. 151, 152.))

(For additional information concerning the battle, it is suggested that the History of Cass Co., Glenn, p. 137 be consulted.)

[12]

Ore
Ore was northeast of Harrisonville. (--Map of Missouri, 1884, Rand, McNally.)

It was situated at Sec. 11,Twp. 45 N, R. 31 W on Highway P between 7 & 71 by-pass.

The post-office was discontinued in 1905. (--General Scheme, p. 20.)

It is no longer listed.

Ovid
Ovid was situated at Sec. 3, Twp. 44 N, R. 30 W, east of Harrisonville. (Camp Branch Township.) (--New Atlas of Mo., Campbell, Map 24.)

The area is south of East Lynne.

It is no longer listed.

It is a classical name. (--Ramsay, p. 58.)

Peculiar (West Peculiar Township, elevation 1000 feet)

The town of Peculiar is located near the center of the township and about nine miles a little south and west of Harrisonville, the county seat...It was laid out in 1868 by Charles W. Fisk and contained about sixty population--1883...

The first business house, general merchandise, was operated by Willis & Barton...Samuel Colesmith was the first shoemaker and H. W. Sundenson the pioneer blacksmith. The Presbyterian Church purchased the first organ brought to town.

The postmasters have been Edgar Thompson and C. W. Fisk... (--Hist. of Cass Co., p. 224.)

It is situated at Secs. 15 & 16, Twp. 45 N., R. 32 W, on 71 northwest of Harrisonville.

The Peculiar post-office was established June 22, 1868...In the biographical sketch of Daniel W. Eowan, published in the 1883 History of Cass County, it states that he settled near Yankee Hill, later the site of a post-office named "Peculiar." Since the railroad had not been built...it is assumed that Yankee Hill was the designation given the original trading center now known as "Old Peculiar."... (--A Peculiar Heritage--The Life of Peculiar, MO., 1968, for the Lyons Club.--Grace Elizabeth Taylor, p. 11A.)

[13]

Pleasant Hill (elevation 855 feet)

This is one of the old towns in the county, situated in the north and eastern part of the county... thirty-three miles southeast of Kansas City and twelve miles northeast of Harrisonville...The original town was located on a high hill about two miles northeast of the present railroad depot. When the town moved to the railroad it retained the old name...The town now extends over the hill as well as over and around the bottoms or railroad yards, by reason of the several additions to the town.

Uptown was platted in 1844 by M. W. Wright. It was incorporated as a city in 1859. Dr. Logan McReynolds was the first mayor. In 1866 the old act of incorporation was amended and specially chartered by act of the legislature (Acts 1867, page 53.) (--Glenn, pp. 128, 129.)

It covers several sections in Twp. 46 N, R. 30 W. at the junction of 58 & 7.

During the early part of 1833, an adventurous Frenchman, from the mouth of the Kaw River, named Blois, opened a store three miles east of the old town of Pleasant Hill...in Sec. 12, Twp. 46 N, R. 30 W. It was located in Polk Township, and was built of small poles. This primitive structure, the first of its kind (store-house) in the limits of Cass County, was soon after abandoned and the goods taken to the old town of Pleasant Hill...

During the war of 1861, the town was occupied as a military post by numerous commanders and suffered all the consequences of such occupation...

The town was incorporated in 1858, and Dr. J. L. McReynolds was the first mayor... (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, pp. 228, 231.)

The connotation of the name is one of approbation. (--Ramsay, p. 88.)

Powell
Powell was located in Union Township north of Cleveland. (--Map of Missouri, 1911, Rand, McNally.)

Powell is no longer listed in Cass County. Powell is listed in McDonald County. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Rankin
See Belton.

There is a Rankin in St. Louis. Co. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

[14]

Raymore (elevation 1100 feet)

Raymore is situated near the north line of the county. (--Glenn, p. 139.)

Raymore was laid out in 1874 by Rea, Moore and ---, and was named in honor of George W. Rea, and H. C. Moore, of St. Louis, MO., (being called Raymore...) James Nein erected the first house (residence) in the town in 1871. The first business house (general merchandise) was erected in the same year by T. B. Hamm. J. C. McManes, was the first shoemaker. The first postmaster was Dr. L. F. Gray, who kept the office at his residence, about one and a half miles from Raymore, and was called Hazen P. O. March 25, 1872, the post-office called Hazen was discontinued and moved to Raymore...

Wannamaker & Lasley erected an elevator in the town in 1881. (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 264.)

It is situated at Sec. 15, 16, Twp. 46 N, R. 32 W. on 58 west of J and east of 71.

Richlawn
Richlawn was located at the northern edge of the county, equi-distant between Kansas State line and Johnson County line near Jackson County line. (--Williams, p. 353.)

It is no longer listed.

Rockford
Rockford was located at the west edge of Sugar Creek Township, at Sec. 3, Twp. 43 N, R. 30 W, northwest of Dayton. (--New Atlas of Missouri, 1874, Map 24.)

It is no longer listed.

Rural Home
Rural Home was located in Austin Township, at Sec. 9, Twp. 43 N, R. 31 W., northwest of Austin. (--New Atlas of Missouri, Map 24.)

It is no longer listed.

Schuyler
It was a post-office fourteen miles south of Harrisonville. (--Campbell, p. 123.)

It probably was named for Gen. Philip Schuyler of New York (1733-1809) who was Indian Commissioner during the Revolutionary War. (--Ramsay, p. 59.)

It is no longer listed.

[15]

Skaggs
Skaggs was in the northeast corner of the county, at Sec. 1, Pleasant Hill Township. (--Map of Missouri, 1889, Rand, McNally.)

It was five miles north of Strasburg. (--Williams, p. 353.)

It was situated at Sec. 1, Twp. 46 N, R. 29 W near Highways VV & V.

The post-office was discontinued in 1905. (--General Scheme, p. 20.)

It is no longer listed.

State Line
See West Line.

Strasburg (Polk Township, elevation 845 feet)

Situated on the main line of the Missouri Pacific R. R., about seven miles east of Pleasant Hill is Strasburg. (--Glenn, p. 134.)

In the southeastern part of this township...is located the old town of Strasburg. It was laid out in 18__. John Fleming built the first store and dwelling house...The first postmaster was Henry Stock, who held the office when Strasburg was known as Crawford's Fork... (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 260.)

It is situated at Sec. 30, 31, Twp. 46 N, R. 29 W., at the junction of V & 58 near Johnson County line.

Strasburg, settled by Germans, and named by them for Strasburg in Alsace. (--Eaton, p. 273; Ramsay, p. 30.)

Strasburg, on the Missouri Pacific R. R., six miles east of Pleasant Hill, formerly called Big Creek Station, had one store and about 100 inhabitants. (--Campbell, p. 123.)

Uptown
Uptown was platted in 1844 by M. W. Wright. It was incorporated as a city in 1859. Dr. Logan McReynolds was the first mayor. In 1866 the old act of incorporation was amended and specially chartered by act of the legislature (Acts, 18671 page 53.)

Uptown is a part of Pleasant Hill. (--Glenn, p. 129.)

[16]

Wadesburg
Wadesburg was founded by and named for Woodson A. Wade, and was located in Sherman Township...It was located in 1858 upon the SE. qr. of the SE. qr., of Sec. 12, Twp. 43 N, R. 29 W., and the NE qr. of the NE qr. of Sec. 13, in the same township and range.

The "Leaky Roof Railway" (an epithet applied to the Kansas City, Clinton & Springfield, in reference to the leaky roofs of the passenger coaches), was built too close, and yet not close enough, so Wadesburg went the way of all inland towns on the appearance of the railroad, so near and yet so far. Glenn, p. 138; (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 269.)

This area is southeast of Garden City and is bounded by Highways 7, Z & NN.

West Line (elevation 935 feet, West Dolan Township)

West Line came into existence with the advent of the M. K. & T. R. R., for a time flourished, and seemed to lose ground. Upon the building of the Kansas City and Southern Railway, the town was given a new impetus... (--Glenn, p. 134.)

A mile and a half from the Kansas State Line is located the town of West Line in West Dolan Township...The town was laid out in 1870 by James T. Beard, John Beard, Robert Catlin and W. T. Crenshaw. The post-office being called State Line...After two years the name of the post-office and town were changed to West Line since which time it has retained the latter name. The first building was erected by William C. McAdams for a store, general merchandise...The first blacksmith was Vinton Davis...Wm. McAdams and Robert Martin were two of the first postmasters... (--Hist. of Cass Co., 1883, p. 160.)

It is situated at Sec. 8, Twp. 44 N, R. 33 W at the junction of 2 & D.

West Union (Union Township)

The town of West Union was laid out in 1872, by A. C. Hoag, who came from Iowa in 1868. It was located on Sec. 23. The first house was erected in 1873 and was designed for a drug store and physician's office...The first business house for general merchandise was erected by James Pickerel...A. W. Hoag was the shoemaker. G. W. Foster was postmaster in 1883... (--Hist. of Cass Co., p. 272.)

Highway & runs north and south on the east edge of this section, which is west of Peculiar.

West Union is no longer listed.

[17]

Wingate
Wingate was situated at Secs. 2, 3, 10 & 11. Twtp. 45 N, R. 30 W on P east of 71.

It is no longer listed.

It was named for Joseph Wingate Folk, who was elected 1904, as Governor of Missouri. (--Ramsay, p. 63.)


Cass County Table of Contents

 Springfield-Greene County Library