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

Compiled by Arthur Paul Moser


[1]

Banister

It was five miles southwest of Nonsuch. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)
Barnumtown
Barnumtown is a post-office, twenty miles west, northwest of Linn Creek. (--Gazetteer of Missouri, Campbell, 1874, pp. 100-101.)

It was five miles south of Osage Iron Works. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

It is located at Section 19, Township 39 N, Range 18 W, near Highway 7, about midway between Highways Z & J. (--General Highway Map of Camden County, issued by The Missouri State Highway Department, 10-1-68. Unless otherwise noted, all map references are from this map.)

Branch
There was a post-office here in 1901-1902. (--Missouri Manual for those years, p. 382.)

It is in the southwest corner of the county, on Highway 73, south of 54.

It is located at Section 27, Township 37 N, Range 19 W.

Cave Pump (also known as Windermere [q. v.] )

This was a post-office, seven miles southwest of Linn Creek. (--Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, pp. 100-101.)

Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.

Carver
There was a post-office here in 1901-1902. (--Missouri Manual for those years, p. 382.)

It was in the northwest part of the county, approximately one mile south of the Morgan County line. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

It was in Adair Township. (--Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.)

Camdenton
See under Camden County entry for an account of how it was named and founded.

It is located at Sections 24 & 25, Township 36 N, Range, on either side of range line between Ranges 16 & 17, at the junction of Highways 5 & 54.

[2]

Chauncey (later known as Hugo)

The post-office is listed on page 423 of the Missouri Manual, 1897-1898.

It was eight miles south of Linn Creek, and five and one-half miles northwest of Montreal. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.

Climax Springs
This town, so named becuase of its many noted springs, is located on Section 30, Township 39 N, Range 19 W, being seventeen miles west of Linn Creek on a straight line, but much farther by the traveled route. The first residence in Climax Springs was a small frame house, built in 1882 by John T. Wayne. Business houses included a drug store, blacksmith shop, shoemaker, general store, post-office, hotel and school house. The population in 1889 was about 100. (--State of Missouri, History of Camden Co., 1889, p. 337.)

It is in the western part of the county, near the Benton County line, seven miles west of Barnumtown or Barnumton. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

There was a post-office there in 1901-1902. (--Missouri Manual, for those years, p. 383.)

It is located at Sections 19 & 30, Township 39 N, Range 19 W, on Highways 7 & HH.

Corum
(Probably in Morgan County now.) (--Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.)

Corum was on the Morgan County line, in the central part of the state, approximately two miles northwest of Purvis. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

There was a post-office there in 1901-1902. (--Missouri Manual for those years, p. 383.)

It was located at Section 32, Township 40 N, Range 17 W.

Crittenden
It was in the northwest corner of the county, west of Osage Iron Works, near the Benton and Morgan County lines. (--Map of Western States, 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.)

Damsel (now known as Osage Beach)

Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.

There was a post-office there in 1901-1902. (--Missouri Manual for those years, p. 384.)

It was located at Section 16, Township 39 N, Range 16 W, on Highway 54, approximately six miles southwest of Miller Co. line.

[3]

Debery
It was six miles north of Stoutland. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

There was a post-office there in 1901-02. (--Missouri Manual for those years, p. 384.)

It was located at Section 25, Township 37 N, Range 15 W. It is now the site of a fish hatchery.

Decaturville
Decaturville was located on Benton Prairie, fifteen miles south, southeast of Linn Creek, and was settled in 1838, and had (1874) a population of about 50, 2 stores, 1 wagon shop, and a school house, used for church purposes. (--Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, pp. 100-101.)

This place was established by the opening of a store there in 1854 by James Farmer who continued in business until 1866. Business houses included: a drug store, blacksmith shop, general merchandise and farm implements. (--State of Missouri, History of Camden County, p. 338.)

It was located at Section 33, Township 37 N, Range 16 W, on Highway 5, at the junction of P.

Demeter
It was on the Laclede County line, five and three-quarter miles northwest of Debery. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)
Edith
Edith was approximately two and one-half miles south of Roach. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

It was located at Section 14, Township 37 N, Range 18 W, on Highway U, south of 54, near Tunnel Dam Power Plant.

Freedom
It was located at Section 16, Township 38 N, Range 15 W, on Highway A, approximately four miles north of Montreal.
Garney
Garney was on the Frisco Railroad, between Stoutland and Richland. (--Map of Western States, Rand, McNally & Co., 1911.)

[4]

Ganter
Ganter was approximately one mile east of Decaturville, in Section 33, Township 37 N, Range 16 W.

While not shown on the Missouri Highway Map, it is shown on a map of Missouri, issued by Missouri Home Life Insurance Co., and was located in connection with both maps. It was about twelve miles south of Linn Creek.

Glaize City
Glaize City was in Miller Township, on the line of Auglaize Township. (--New Atlas of Missouri, Campbell, 1874, Map #26.)

There was a post-office there, which is listed in Missouri Manual, 1893-1894, p. 297.

It was listed as Glaize in the State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345, and three and one-half miles south of Zaring, or six miles northwest of Richland (Pulaski Co.). (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345 & 485.)

Glaize City was twenty miles east, southeast of Linn Creek, and was founded in 1860. It was in a fine farming district, and contained one general store, a schoolhouse and about 25 inhabitants, in 1874. (--Gazetteer of Missouri, Campbell, 1874, pp. 100-101.)

Gunter (later known as Ha Ha Tonka)

There was a post-office for Gunter, listed in Missouri Manual, 1893-1894, p. 294, but in Missouri Manual of 1897-1898, the name does not appear.

Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.

Gunter's Big Spring (later known as Ha Ha Tonka)

A post-office, nine miles south of Linn Creek. (--Gazetteer of Missouri, pp. 100-101.)

Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.

Gunn City
Gunn City is a post-office, listed in Missouri Manual, 1897-98, p. 425, location uknown.

However, in Missouri Manual, 1893-94, Gunn City is listed as being in Cass Co. (O. K.) *

Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.

Hahatonka
A post-office at Hahatonka is listed in Missouri Manual, 1897-98, p. 425.

It was eight miles south of Linn Creek, on the Niangua River. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

It was located at Section 2, Township 37 N, Range 17 W, on Highway K, at the Niangua River.

[5]

Hillhouse Addition (mail Richland)

That portion of Richland (Pulaski County), which extends into Camden County. Population is about 300. (--Mayor of Richland.)

It is located at Section 12, Township 36 N, Range 14 W, on Highways 7 & H.

Hugo (earlier called Chauncey, q. v.)

Chauncey's full name was David George Chauncey. Born in Camden Co., near Montreal, 1868. *

Hugo was located at Section 26, Township 38 N, Range 16 W, on Highway V, north of Highway 7.

Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.

Hurricane Deck
It is located at Section 10, Township 39 N, Range 17 W, on Highway F, south of Highway 5.

Linn Creek (Old Town)

The county seat (sic), is on the creek of the same name, about one mile from the Osage River, and 27 miles northwest of Richland. It is divided into Upper Town and Lower Town, the business houses occupying the former. The Osage, being navigable part of the year, gives the town fair advantage as a shipping-point. There is 1 wagon-maker's shop, 3 stores, 1 saw mill, 1 grist mill, 1 lead-smelting furnace, 2 school houses and 1 newspaper (1874). (--Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, pp. 100-101. See, also, State of Missouri, History of Camden Co., pp. 340-341.)

It was named in 1841, for the Linden Tree. (--Our Storehouse of Missouri Place Names, Ramsay, p. 86.)

(For additional information concerning Linn Creek, see the introductory remarks in the front of this Directory. Also, see the article, Old Linn Creek that was Destroyed by the Lake, Ozark's Mountaineer, July, 1956, p. 3, and Springfield Press, 3/16/31, p. 2.)

Old Linn Creek was located at Section 31, Township 38 N, Range 16 W. A portion of Linn Creek is at the bottom of The Lake of the Ozarks, but the remaining portion of Linn Creek still has a post-office (i.e, New Linn Creek). (--Zip Code Directory of the U. S. Postal Service, 1971.)

New Linn Creek
New Linn Creek is located at Sections 17 & 7, Township 38 N, Range 16 W, near Highway 54. There is still a post-office at Linn Creek. (--Zip Code Directory of the U. S. Postal Service, 1971.)

[6]

Mack's Creek
This village is located on the Southwest quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section 12, Township 37 N, Range 19 W. It was entered by Charles Westcott, and was named for the stream on which it was located. Hugh Ellison, who settled about the year 1840, was the first settler in the vicinity. The post-office was established in 1869. Other business houses included: a drug store, blacksmith shop, general merchandise, dry goods and drugs; and a doctor. (--State of Missouri, History of Camden County, p. 339.)

Mack's Creek is a post-office, nineteen miles southwest of Linn Creek. Gazetteer of Missouri, pp. 100-101.

It is seven miles west of Roach. The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.

It is located at Section 12, Township 37 N, Range 19 W, at the junction of Highways N, O & 54.

Montreal (earlier called Buffalo Prairie [not a post-office ] ) *

The post-office at Montreal is listed first in Missouri Manual, 1893-1894, p. 294.

It is thirteen and one-half miles southeast of Linn Creek. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345)

It is located at Sections 4 & 5, Township 37 N, Range 15 W, on Highways BB, 7 & E.

Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.

Mosier
It was approximately two miles southeast of Edith, near the Niangua River, apparently southwest of Power Plant at Tunnel Dam. (--Map of Western States, Rand, McNally & Co., 1911, in conjunction with Highway Map of Camden County, issued by The Missouri Highway Department.)

It is located at Section 24, Township 37 N, Range 18 W.

Myetta
This was a post-office, listed on page 389 of Missouri Manual, 1901-1902.

It was about five or six miles south of Camdenton, on Highway 5. (--Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.)

[7]

Neongwah
This small village was located at Section 15, Township 38 N, Range 17 W, on Highway 5, northwest of 54.

The name is variant of Niangua; one meaning means "Many Springs." See, in Our Storehouse of Missouri Place Names, by Robert L. Ramsay, on the following pages: 38, 41, 42, 119, 125, for a discussion of the various meanings of Neongwah.

Niangua Big Spring
It was in the northern part of Warren Township, near the Osage Township line, on the Big Niangua River. (--New Atlas of Missouri, Campbell, 1874, Map #26.)
Nonsuch
A post-office, listed in Missouri Manual, 1897-1898, p. 425.

It was approximately twelve and one-half miles west of Linn Creek. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

It was approximately five miles southwest of Barnumton, on the north bank of the Niangua Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. The highway map of Camden Co., does not show Nonsuch. However, several buildings are indicated at the tentative location, Section 3, Township 38 N, Range 18 W, in conjunction with the Map of Missouri, issued by the Missouri Home Life Insurance Co.

Oregon (later Erie)

Oregon was the original county seat of Kinderhook County, its name having been changed to Erie when Kinderhook was changed to Camden. The first merchants of the place were Sidney R. Roberts and James N. B. Dodson who opened a general store under the firm name of Roberts & Dodson, afterward changed to Roberts, Dodson & Harrison. These gentlemen continued in trade at Erie for a number of years, doing nearly all the business of the place, until it was discovered that the mouth of Linn Creek Valley, opposite Crains Ferry, was a more desirable location for business. They moved their interests to the new location, and founded the town of Linn Creek, this being about three years before the removal of the county seat.

No other business house except the grocery of William Hicks, and perhaps one or two other insignificant enterprises, ever existed at Erie.

Soon after the removal of the county seat, it ceased to exist as a town. The dwelling house of W. N. Todd, the prosecuting attorney, is now the only building on the original site (1889). (--State of Missouri, History of Camden County, pp. 339-340.)

[8]

Olive City
Olive City was beautifully situated on the Osage River, 1 mile north of the Osage Iron Works. It contained 2 stores, and 1 saw and grist mill. Population in 1874 was about 50. (--Gazetteer of Missouri, pp. 100-101.)
Osage Beach
Osage Beach is located at Section 7, Township 39 N, Range 15 W, approximately 1 mile west of Miller County line.
Osage Iron Works
Osage Iron Works was located on Bollinger Creek, 13 miles west, northwest of Linn Creek, and about 1 mile south of the Osage River. It had about 150 inhabitants, principally miners and laborers. (--Gazetteer of Missouri, pp. 100-101.)

It was five miles north of Barnumton. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

Purvis
A post-office, listed in Missouri Manual, 1893-1894, p. 295.

It was eight and one-quarter miles northeast of Osage Iron Works. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

It was located at Sections 11 & 12, Township 39 N, Range 17 W, on the north bank of The Lake of the Ozarks, approximately two miles southwest of Highway 5.

Rainey Creek
It was in Adair Township, near the Benton County line, northwest of Barnumton. (--New Atlas of Missouri, Campbell, 1874, Map #26.)

It was a post-office, seventeen miles west, northwest of Linn Creek.

Right Point (possibly Light Point)

It was in Auglaize Township, near the Laclede County line, approximately 2 miles west and north of Stoutland. (--New Atlas of Missouri, Map #26.)

[9]

Sagrada
This was in the northwest corner of the county, approximately equi-distant from Morgan and Benton Counties. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

There was a post-office there in 1901-1902. (--Missouri Manual for those years, p. 391.)

Spring Valley
A post-office listed in Missouri Manual, 1893-94, p. 296.

It was in the northwest part of the county, near the Benton County line, 6 miles north of Climax Springs. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

Another post-office listing is in Missouri Manual, 1901-02, p. 392.

Stoutland
Stoutland, on the A. & P. R. R. (Frisco), 171 miles from St. Louis, is the shipping-point for a large portion of Camden and Laclede Counties. It was settled about 1869, and contains 4 stores, 1 wagon manufactory, 1 church, 1 public school, and 1 newspaper (1874). (--Gazetteer of Missouri, pp. 100-101.)

Stoutland, on the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad (formerly the Atlantic & Pacific), 171 miles from St. Louis, is a shipping-point for a large portion of Camden County. It was named in honor of Captain Stout, one of the directors of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad. It is also situated on the line between Camden and Laclede Counties, a portion of it lying in each. The first house in Stoutland, a frame 18 x 24 feet, was built by William Weir, who was the first merchant of the place, having opened his store before the town received its name and became established, which latter was upon the completion of the railroad.

Businesses included: general merchandise, grocery, drugs, land agent, wagon factory and blacksmith shop, and a shoe shop. Population about 150 (1889). (--State of Missouri, History of Camden County, pp. 333-334.)

It is located at Section 30, Township 36 N, Range 14 W.

The post-office and the business district are in Camden County, but much of the residential section is in Laclede County. (--Place Names of Five Central Counties of Southwest Missouri, a thesis by Margaret E. Bell.)

As of July 1971, the population in Laclede County was 35. (--Mack Clark, Jr., Mayor of Stoutland.)

[10]

Sun Rise Beach (Sunrise)

Sunrise Beach is located at Section 35, Township 40 N, Range 17 W, near the Morgan County line.
Toronto
A post-office, listed in Missouri Manual, 1893-94, p. 297.

It is five and one-half miles northeast of Montreal, near the Miller County line. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

It is located at Section 25, Township 38 N, Range 15 W, on Highway A, east of Highway E.

Tuckerville
It was in the northwest corner of Adair Township, and on the south bank of the Osage River. (--New Atlas of Missouri, Campbell, 1874, Map #26.)
Wet Glaize
A post-office, ten and one-half miles northwest of Richland. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

It was located at Section 24, Township 37 N, Range 15 W, on Highway 7, north of Highway M.

Where the fish hatchery is located, one building is on the former site of the post-office. (--Mrs. Charles Huddleston, Camdenton, Missouri.)

Zebra
Zebra was nine and one-half miles northeast of Linn Creek, near the Miller County line. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 345.)

It was in Section 11 (?), Township 39 N, Range 15 W, on Highway 54.

N. B. Glaize is used several times in this Directory. According to Our Storehouse of Missouri Place Names, by Robert L. Ramsay, on page 46, Auglaize and Glaize: Glaize, meaning clay or lick for wild beasts.


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