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

Compiled by Arthur Paul Moser


[1] Allenville
Allenville was laid out in 1869. (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, p. 435.)

It is on the ST. L. I. M. & S. R. R. (Mo. Pac) 147 miles from St. Louis and 13 miles southwest of Jackson. The town contained 2 stores, 1 livery stable, 1 M. E. Church and 1 good public school. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 103.)

It is 2 1/2 miles east of Whitewater. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 347.)

It is located at Sec. 31, Twp. 29 N, R. 12 E, on an unmarked county road north of N. (--General Highway Map of Cape Girardeau County, issued by The Missouri State Highway Department, 10-1-65. Unless otherwise noted all map descriptions are from this map.)

Apple Creek
See Appleton.

Appleton (corporate name for Old Appleton, formerly Apple Creek)

Appleton situated on Apple Creek, north of Oak Ridge, was settled in 1824, by John McLane and John Schultz. The first store was opened by Kimmel & Taylor in 1829. (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, p. 434.)

It is 16 miles north of Jackson, and 14 miles west southwest of Wittenberg (Perry County). It was settled in 1824...It contained 2 general stores, 1 hotel, a brewery and a public school, 1 saddlers and 1 wagon shop, a saw and grist-mill and about 150 inhabitants (1874). (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 105.)

Name changed from Old Appleton as of July 31, 1917. (--Missouri Manual, 1917-1918, p. 644.)

It is located at Sec. 4, Twp. 33 N, R. 12 E, on Highway 61 north of KK.

Arbor
Arbor is in the southwest corner of the county, near Stoddard County line. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 347.)

The post-office was discontinued November 1, 1929; thereafter mail via Chaffee. (--Missouri Manual, 1929-30, p. 939.)

It is located at Sec. 23, Twp. 29 N, R. 11 E, on Highway 25.

[2]

Arnsberg
A flour mill was located here in 1904; it was near Perry County line 6 miles southwest of Appleton. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 347.)
Blomeyer
Blomeyer is on the southern edge of the county near Scott County line. It is located at Sec. 36, Twp. 30 N, R. 13 E, at the junction of 25 & 77.

Mail via Chaffee. (--Rand, McNally Standard Reference Guide of Missouri, 1974.)

Bollinger Mill
Bollinger Mill is located south of Burfordville, on Missouri 34. The mill is one of the state's few remaining grist-mills. A 140-foot self supporting Howe Truss covered bridge is located next to the mill. (Missouri Division of Tourism, publication Missouri Vacation Guide, p. 42.)

The adjacent covered bridge was built in the early 1860's by the county, at the demand of settlers along the Whitewater River, which it crosses and which the dam backs up into the mill pond. It has been described by engineers as the most remarkable job of wood engineering in Missouri, with a span of 130 feet and no support under it except at the ends. A few years ago the Missouri Highway Commission, recognizing the historical value of the bridge, took it over and strengthened it. (--The Ozarks Mountaineer, Sept. 1958, p. b; also the issue of May, 1976, p. 17, C. used by permission.)

Bowman
Bowman is a post-office listed in U. S. Postal Guide, 1911, p. 568. (Location is unknown).

Burfordsville (Burfordville)

It is located at the site of Bollinger's Mill on Whitewater River. It had a mill, a store or two, a Baptist Church, and a lodge of A. C. U. W... (--History of Cape Girardeau County, Goodspeed, p. 425.)

It is 8 miles southwest of Jackson and 8 miles northwest of Luflin (Bollinger Co.). It had 1 store, several shops, a grist and saw-mill and woolen factory known heretofore as George Frederick Doughtery's Mills...There was a suspension bridge at this point. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 105.)

It is situated in the western part of the county at Sec. 14 & 15, Twp. 31 N, R. 11 E, at the junction of UU & 34.

It has been disincorporated since 1950. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

[3]

In its earlier days the town now known as Burfordville was called Bollinger's Mill. (--The Ozarks Mountaineer, Sept. 1958, P. 5, C. used by permission.)
Byrd's Creek Settlement
John Byrd built a mill, a still-house, a cotton-gin and a blacksmith shop, all of which he conducted until his death in 1816. (Presumably it was situated somewhere on Byrd's Creek.) (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, p. 277.)

Cape Girardeau (elevation 355 feet)

Cape Girardeau was surveyed and laid off into streets and lots, sometime in February or March 1806 by Bartholomew Cousin, under the direction of the proprietor, Louis Lorimer...In 1808 the village of Cape Girardeau began to feel itself of sufficient importance to become an incorporated town and a petition was presented to the court of Common Pleas...

The petition was granted and an election was held on August 13, 1808, at which time Joseph McFarren, Anthony Baden, Robert Blair, Daniel Steinbeck and Isaac M. Bledsoe were elected...The town continued to prosper and grow until the organization of Cape Girardeau County, when it was dealt a severe blow in the removal of the seat of justice...In 1818 it was described as a village containing two stores and about fifty houses...Cape Girardeau was incorporated as a city by a special act of the Legislature in 1843... (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, pp. 410, 413, 425; Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, 1901, Conard, Vol. 1, p. 483f.)

It covers several sections in Twps. 30 & 31, Ranges 13 & 14 E, at the junction of 74, 55, 34, 61 & V.

Crump
Crump is located in the southwest section of the county, 4 1/2 miles north of Whitewater. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 347.)

It is located at Sec. 9, Twp. 30 N, R. 11 E on Highway U north of the junction with A.

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

Daisy
Daisy is a post-office listed in U.S. Postal Guide, 1911, p. 568.

It is situated at Secs. 23 & 26, Twp. 33 N, R. 11 E in the northwest section of the county at the junction of B & AA.

It has been disincorporated since 1950. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

[4]

Delta (elevation 335 feet)

Delta is 3 miles southeast of Allenville and was the point of intersection of the I. M. & T. R. R. with the ST. L. I. M. & S. R. R. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 107.)

When the St. Louis and Iron Mountain (now Missouri Pacific) line was constructed between Bismarck and Belmont, Mo., the village located about one half mile north of the present Delta station was known as "Deray". In 1905, when the Cotton Belt line was extended from Deray to Thebes, Ill., the Missouri Pacific depot was moved to the former depot. While the post-office continued to be called "Deray", the station was renamed Delta, presumably because of the extensive swamp lands surrounding the town. In 1922 the name of the post-office also was changed to Delta. (--The Empire that Missouri Pacific Serves, p. 205.)

It is situated in the southern part of the county at Secs. 4, 5, 8 & 9, Twp. 29 N, R. 12 E at the junction of N & 25.

Deray
A post-office listed in U. S. Postal Guide, 1911, p. 568.

See Delta.

Dutchtown (Hendricksville)

This town on the banks of Hubble Creek, 7 miles northeast of Allenville, was settled by Peter Held, a native of Switzerland, in 1860...There were a few shops, a small general store and a large water power saw and grist-mill. Population, about 50 (1874). (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 107.)

It is situated in the southern part of the county at Secs. 23 & 24, Twp. 30 N, Ranges 12 & 13 E at the junction of A, 25 & 74.

Egypt Mills
Egypt Mills, 12 miles southeast of Jackson and 3 1/2 miles west of the Mississippi River, had a saw and grist-mill, Lutheran Church, a general store, public school and several shops. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 108.)

It was situated at Sec. 35, Twp. 32 N, R. 14 E on Highway 7 south of Trail of Tears State Park.

Friedheim
It is a post-office listed in U. S. Postal Guide, 1911, p. 568.)

It is located in the northwest corner of the county at Sec. 10, Twp. 33 N, R. 11 E on KK east of Bollinger County line.

[5]

Fruitland
Fruitland is 5 miles north of Jackson. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 347.)

It is situated at Sec. 18, Twp. 32 N, R. 12 E at the junction of FF & 61.

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

German Settlement
The German Settlement in Cape Girardeau County dates from 1834, when Otto Buehrman, William Cramer, with their families, and Rev. Frederick Picker, an unmarried man, located on a farm in the "Big Bend". The Cramers and Picker were from Hanover, and Buehrman from Brunswick... (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, p. 282.)

Gordonville (elevation 370 feet)

Gordonville was laid out in 1875. (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, p. 435.)

Gordonville, 8 miles south of Jackson had a flouring mill, 1 general store, 1 wagon and 1 saddler's shop and a public school...Population about 50 (1874). (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 108.)

It is located at section undetermined, Twp. 31 N, R. 12 E at the junction of CC & 25, south of KK.

Gravel Hill
Gravel Hill is in the western part of the county at Sec. 16, Twp. 31 N, R. 11 E at the junction of U & 34 west of Burfordville.

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

Green Cox
Green Cox was in the extreme southwest corner of the county at Sec. 33, Twp. 39 N, R. 11 E on Highway 25 north of Stoddard County line.
Green's Ferry
Green's Ferry was 12 miles northeast of Jackson. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 108.)
Hendricksville
See Dutchtown. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 108.)

[6]

Hickory Ridge
Hickory Ridge was a post-office 7 miles southeast from Allenville. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 108.)
Hilderbrand
Hilderbrand was a post-office listed in U. S. Postal Guide, 1911, p. 568.

It was located in the extreme northwestern corner of the county at Sec. 5, Twp. 33 N, R. 11 E at the junction of KK & B.

Houck
Houck was in the southwest section of the county, 3 1/2 miles south from Tilsit. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 347.)
Indian Villages
There were two or three small villages of both Delawares and Shawnese in the northern portion of Cape Girardeau County...There were known to the French as Loups and Chawanous...They lived in small, square huts, made of poles, and without chimneys...After the transfer of Upper Louisiana to the United States, the Shawnese and Delawares laid claim to a grant from the Spanish authorities to satisfy which the Federal Government gave them a tract fifty miles square on the Kansas River. To this grant a portion of these tribes removed, while the remainder migrated to Arkansas. (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, pp. 236, 237, 238; Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 103.)
Jackson
Jackson was laid out in 1815...The first store in Jackson is said to have been opened by a Mr. Eckhardt, a Virginian who in about a year sold out to Clifton and Charles Mothershead...About 1817 Joseph Frizell...opened a store. (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, pp. 425, 426, 427.)

The first Baptist Church in Missouri was founded in 1806 near Jackson, under the labors of Rev. D. Green...The courthouse was claimed to have been the finest in the State outside St. Louis... (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 108; Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, 1901, Conard, Vol. 3, pp. 395, 396.)

Jackson is situated in several sections in Twp. 31 N, R. 12 & 13 E at the junction of 25, 72 _ 61.

[7]

Kurreville
A post-office listed in U.S. Postal Guide, 1911, p. 568. It is in the northwest section of the county 3 1/2 miles north of Millersville. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 347.)

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

Leemon
Leemon is in the northeastern section of the county, at Sec. 10, Twp. 32 N, R. 13 E on J east of the junction with W.

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

Millersville
Millersville is a little village in Whitewater Township. It had two churches, Baptist and Methodist in 1888. (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, p. 435.)

It was settled in 1848 and contained 2 general stores, several blacksmith, wagon and shoe shops...(1874). (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 108.)

It is in the western section of the county at Sec. 23, Twp. 32 N, R. 11 E at the junction of B & 72.

Moccasin Spring
It is near the southern edge of Trail of Tears State Park. (--General Highway Map of Cape Girardeau County.)

A spring of limpid water in the rocks on the west shore of the Mississippi, about fourteen miles above the city of Cape Girardeau. The spring is mentioned in the writings of Schoolcraft, as well known to early navigators of the river. (--Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, 1901, Conard, Vol. 4, p. 451.)

Neely's (Neely's Landing)

The population in 1974 was 65. Mail via Jackson. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Neely's Landing (now Neely's)

Neely's Landing was a post-office on the Mississippi River 13 miles northeast of Jackson. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 108.)

It is located at Sec. 33, Twp. 33 N, R. 14 E at the end of Highway J north of Trail of Tears State Park.

[8]

New Wells
New Wells, 14 miles northeast of Jackson and 8 miles northwest of Neely's Landing, was settled in 1854. It had 1 general store, 1 wagon and saddler's shop, a public schoolhouse, and a Lutheran Church. Population about 65 (1874). (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 109.)

The post-office was discontinued Oct. 31, 1919. Thereafter mail via Shawneetown. (--Missouri Manual, 1919-20, p. 732.)

The post-office was reestablished at an unknown date. The 1974 Zip Code is 63768; population 35. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

It is located at Sec. 8, Twp. 33 N, R. 13 E at the junction of CC & C.

Oakridge (elevation 600 feet)

Oakridge was settled about 1852. It is situated in Apple Creek Township about ten miles northwest of Jackson. It had a population of about 300 (1888). (The 1974 population was 181.) History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, p. 434; Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 109; Rand McNally Reference Guide of Missouri, 1974.)

It is located at Secs. 32 & 33, Twp. 33 N, R. 12 E at the junction of D & E.

Old Appleton
Name changed to Appleton, July 31, 1917. Missouri Manual, 1917-1918, p. 644.)
Oriole
Oriole is situated in the northeastern section of the county west of Trail of Tears State Park at Sec. 19, Twp. 32 N, R. 14 E at the junction of V & Y.

Mail via Cape Girardeau. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Pocahontas
Pocahontas was settled about 1856, and was laid out as a village in 1861. History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, p. 435.)

It contained 1 store, 1 steam flouring-mill, several shops, a carding machine, a public school, 2 churches--Lutheran and Presbyterian and a population of about 100. The Presbyterian Church is the third oldest in Missouri and celebrated its semi- on May 21st, 1871. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 109.)

[9]

It is a village nine miles northwest of Jackson. It was founded in the fall of 1855, by Judge William R. Green, who gave the place its name in honor of the celebrated Indian Princess. (--Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, 1901, Conard, Vol. 5, p. 159.)

It was incorporated in 1893, with John Bonney elected the first mayor. (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1912, Douglas, Vol. 1, p. 373.)

It is located at Sec. 31, Twp. 33 N, R. 13 E on C north of the junction with 61.

Randles (elevation 330 feet)

It was a post-office listed in U. S. Postal Guide, 1911, p. 568.

It is situated in the southwestern section of the county, near Stoddard County line, on Highway P north of Stoddard Co. line, Sec. 31, Twp. 29 N, R. 12 E.

It has been disincorporated since 1950; mail via Cape Girardeau. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Shawneetown
Shawneetown was established soon after the Civil War, at which time a large woolen mill was erected... (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1888, Goodspeed, p. 435; Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, 1901, Conard, Vol. 5, p. 576.)

It is 14 miles northwest of Jackson...and was settled in 1865. It had a large woolen factory 240 spindles and 6 looms, 1 general store, saddle and wagon shops, a machine shop and about 125 inhabitants (1874). (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 109.)

It is located at Sec. 13, Twp. 33 N, R. 13 E on CC west of New Wells.

The incorporation was reactivated since 1960; mail via Jackson. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)

Stoderville (Whitewater)

Stroderville was a post-office on the ST. L. I. M. & S. R. R. 3 miles northwest of Allenville. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 109.)
Tilsit
Tilsit is in the western part of the county, at Sec. 29, Twp. 31 N, R. 12 E on F north of the junction with OO which is west of Gordonville.

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

[10]

Trail of Tears State Park
This park is located 10 miles north of Cape Girardeau on County V...The park contains a portion of the route known as "The Trail of Tears" used by the forced march of the Cherokee Indians from Tennessee to Oklahoma. Among the many who died was Princess Otahki, whose grave is marked with a memorial monument. (--Visit Missouri -- State Parks and Historical Shrines, printed by Missouri Park Board, p. 52. For a further discussion of the Indian removal, the reader is invited to read Indian Removal, by Grant Foreman, pub. by University of Oklahoma, Norman, 1952.)
Whig
Whig was situated in the southwest corner of the county near Bollinger County line, 3 1/4 miles west of Arbor. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 347.)

White Water (R. R. name for Whitewater)

See Stroderville. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 109.)
Whitewater
The beautiful Whitewater River is the origin of this town's name...Whitewater is the trading center for farmers in this section of Cape Girardeau County. Some of these farmers are descendants of the Germans who migrated here in 1800 from North Carolina under the leadership of Major George Frederick Bollinger. (--The Empire that Missouri Pacific Serves, p. 253.)

Whitewater was first settled as a town in 1866...The town was not incorporated until 1898, and the first mayor was P. N. O'Brien. In 1912 there were four general stores in the town, a flour mill, a saw mill and a mill devoted to the manufacture of butcher blocks...It had a population of 250. (--History of Southeast Missouri, 1912, Douglas, Vol. 1, p. 373.)

It is located in the southwest section of the county, at Sec. 26, Twp. 30 N, R. 11 E on Highway A southeast of the junction with U.


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