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

Compiled by Arthur Paul Moser

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[1]

Allen

See Annapolis.

Annapolis

This community is another of the towns that changed name for reasons presently unknown. Its original name is said to have been "Allen," but this was changed to Annapolis in the 1870's with the coming of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, now the Missouri Pacific. (--The Empire That Missouri Pacific Serves, p.190.)

It was named in 1876, for Anna, wife of Thomas Allen, Railroad president, with a side glance at Annapolis, Maryland. (--Our Storehouse of Mo. Place Names, Ramsay, p.72.)

It was laid out in 1871; 1 hotel, 2 stores, 1 church, and 1 public school. Population about 60 (1874). (--Campbell's Gazetteer of MO, 1874, p. 262.)

Annapolis was settled about 1872. It was incorporated about 1872, but the incorporation was allowed to lapse. The first mayor was C. Hart. . .There were four general stores, a saw mill and a planing mill in the town. Population was 160 (1912). (--Hist. of Southeast Mo., 1912, Douglas, Vol. 1, p. 378.)

It is located at Sec. 15, 16, Twp. 31 N, R 3 E, at the junction of Highways K, 49, & F. (--General Highway Map of Iron County, issued by The Missouri State Highway Dept., 7-1-63. Unless otherwise noted all map descriptions are from this map.)

Arcadia

When Iron County was organized there were two villages within its borders: Arcadia and Middlebrook. Arcadia was laid out in 1849, and owes its existence to what was the Arcadia High School. That institution was founded by Rev. J. C. Perryman, and conducted under the auspices of the M. E. Church, South...A short time prior to the Civil War, he became proprietor of the institution and managed it until forced to abandon it in 1861. (Later the school was re-opened, and eventually it became known as "Arcadia College".)

The first stores at Arcadia were opened by Ezekiel Mathews and Smith & Love. . .In 1847 Josiah and J. C. Berryman built a steam saw and grist mill a short distance from the town, which they sold to Hollman Bros. . .In 1870 Arcadia was incorporated--with Charles S. Eisner, John R. Higdon, John Albert, William Fletcher and A. Robberson as trustees. At that time it was a thriving business point, but for the past few years it has steadily declined, and now only two small stores are maintained (1888). (--Hist. of Southeast Mo., 1888, Goodspeed pp. 454, 455.)

It is located at Sec. 5, 6, Twp. 33 N, R 4 E, on Highways 21, M, C, & D.

[2]

Banner

Banner is located at Sec. 32, 33, Twp. 25 N, R 2 E, on Highway 32.

Belleview

Belleview is located at Sec. 5, 6, Twp. 34 N, R 3 E, on Highways 21 & O.

The name is an Anglicized form of spelling for the French "Bellevue". The French came to this section of Missouri in 1795. (--Our Storehouse of Mo. Place Names, Ramsay, p. 121.)

It is a post-office 6 miles west of Iron Mountain (St. Francois Co.). (--Gazetteer of Missouri, p. 262.)

It is in Iron Twp. in the northwestern part of the county near Washington Co. line. (--New Atlas of Mo., 1874, Map #31.)

Bixby

Bixby is a post-office located at Sec. 12, Twp. 34 N, R 2 E at the junction of Highways 32 & 49.

Brule (see Banner)

It is 6 1/2 miles west of Belleview, in northern part of the county. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 409.)

It was named for the French word meaning "burnt". (--How Mo. Counties, Towns And Streams Were Named, Eaton, 3rd Article, p. 176.)

Brule post-office was discontinued as of October 31, 1919. Thereafter it was supplied via Belleview. (--Missouri Manual, 1919-20, p. 732.)

Buick

Buick is located at Sec. 26, Twp. 34 N, R 2 E, on Highway J south of 32.

Burgundy

It was a post-office in the western part of the county, 3 miles west of Goodland. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 409; Missouri Manual, 1903-04.)

Casebolt

The location of this former post-office is unknown. Post-office was discontinued as of July 31, 1917; thereafter it was served via Bixby. (--Missouri Manual, 1917-18, p. 644.)

[3]

Chloride

Chloride was located at Sec. 14, Twp. 32 N, R 3 E, on Highway 49 approximately midway between Arcadia and Annapolis.

Concannon

It was in the south central part of the county, in Liberty Twp., near the Union Twp. line. It was in Twp. 31 N, Sec. 35. (--New Atlas of Mo., 1874.)

Cross Roads

Cross Roads was 10 miles from Ironton, in the valley of Arcadia; it had 4 stores, 2 public schools, and a population of about 75. (--Gazetteer of MO, p. 262.)

Des Arc

The town of Des Arc was settled first in the year 1800, the early settlers being David Shaver, Andrew Wallace and Major McFadden. The town was not incorporated as a town until 1889. The first mayor was Charles H. Collins. . .There were seven stores, two handle factories, two grist-mills, one broom factory and two saw-mills in 1912. (--Hist. of Southeast Mo., 1912, Douglas, Vol. 1, p. 377.)

It is 28 miles south of Ironton; had 3 stores, 1 hotel and a public school; population about 100 (1874). (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 262.)

Des Arc, meaning "the bow" or bend, so named for the bend in the railroad near the place. (--How Mo. Counties, Towns And Streams Were Named, 3rd Article, p. 176.)

The name, given in 1871, is a derivation of an Indian word. (--Our Storehouse of Mo. Place Names, Ramsay, pp. 37, 40, 42.)

It is located at Sec. 17, 18, Twp. 30 N, R 4 E, on Highways 49 & N, near the Wayne Co. line.

East End (Goodland P.O.)

It is located at Sec. 3, Twp. 34 N, R 1 E, on Highways 32 & Z.

Enough

Enough is located at Sec. 27, 34, Twp. 35 N, R 1 E, on an unmarked county road west of 32.

Foote

Foote is a post-office listed in Missouri Manual, 1893-94, p. 291. It was southeast of Goodwater. (--Sectional Map of Mo., 1894, Rand, McNally & Co.)

[4]

Fort Davidson

See Pilot Knob.

Ghermanville

Ghermanville near the Granite Quarry, 4 miles north of Ironton, was settled in 1873, and had 1 store, and a population of about 75. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 262.) (No longer listed.)

Glover

Glover is in the south central part of the county, 8 miles south of Hogan. (--The State of Mo. in 1904, p. 409.)

It is located at Sec. 2, Twp. 32 N, R 3 E, on Highway 21, south of 49.

Goodland (East End)

It is in the southwest part of the county, in Dent Twp. (--New Atlas of Mo., 1874, Map #31.)

It is 3 miles southeast of Burgundy. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 409.)

It is located at Sec. 23, Twp. 34 N, R 1 E on an unmarked county road west of Redmondville. Mail via Belleview.

Goodwater

Goodwater was a post-office in the northwestern part of the county. It was located at Sec. 21, Twp. 34, R.1 E, in Dent Township, near the Washington-Crawford-Iron Co. line. (--New Atlas of Mo., 1874, Map #31; The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 409; Gazetteer of Mo., p. 262.)

Graniteville

Graniteville was named in 1876 for the granite quarries near. (--Our Storehouse of Mo. Place Names, Ramsay, p.84.)

However, according to Eaton, it was settled in 1873. (--How Mo. Towns, Counties and Streams Were Named, 3rd. Article, p. 176; Also, Encyclopedia of The Hist. of Mo., 1901, Conard, Vol. 3, p. 86, indicates it was settled in 1873.)

It is located at Sec. 14, Twp. 34 N, R 3 E, on Highways 21 & H.

Hogan (Hogan's Mountain)

It is in Arcadia Twp. It is about 7 miles southwest of Ironton. (--New Atlas of Mo., Map #31; The State of Mo. in 1904, p.409.)

It is located at Sec. 27, 34, Twp. 33 N, R 3 E, on Highways 21 & 49; See, also Gazetteer of Mo., p. 262.)

[5]

Although it is surmised that the community was named for an early settler, there is no authentic information to verify this. Hogan lies at the foot of Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest peak in the State with an elevation of 1,772 feet. It is adjacent to the southern edge of Tip Top Mountain, too, the second highest point in the State... (--The Empire that Missouri Pacific Serves, p.216.)

No Population. (--Standard Reference Guide of MO., 1974, Rand, McNally & Co.)

Grassy Mountain (not a town)

Grassy Mountain is located at Sec. 14, Twp. 33 N, R 4 E, near Madison Co. line, east of U.S. Rifle Range.

Ironton (elevation 920 feet)

When the county was organized H. N. Tong and David Carson were doing a mercantile business at the eastern edge of Shepherd Mountain. . .They at once purchased land and laid off a town, named it Ironton, and entered it on the list with Arcadia and Middlebrook as competing points for the county seat. The election took place on September 7, 1857, and Ironton was selected...A village had already sprung up at the base of Pilot Knob, composed of mining operations, and during this year it was made the terminus of the Iron Mountain Railroad. In 1859 the population was placed at 600, while that of Arcadia and Ironton was about 300 each. These towns are situated adjoining each other, and may almost be considered as one straggling village scattered along the railroad for a distance of about three miles. (--Hist. of Southeast MO, 1888, Goodspeed, p.455.)

Ironton was founded in 1857 and incorporated in 1859...During the Civil War the town suffered greatly from the raid of General Price. . . It was in this place that U. S. Grant received his commission as Brigadier General in the United States Army. The spot where he had his quarters at the time is now called Emerson Park, a private park of much beauty. It contains five statues of Grant in commemoration of the event. (--Encyclopedia of The Hist. of Mo., 1901, Conard, Vol.3, p.388.)

According to Our Storehouse of Mo. Place Names, Ramsay, p.8, Ironton was named in 1853.

The first house was built in 1853, it became the county seat in 1857 and was incorporated in 1859. . .It had a court house, jail, 3 churches, a Masonic and Odd Fellows Hall, 1 public school, 1 school for colored children, 1 iron foundry, 1 flouring mill and 2 saw and planing mills, 2 wagon factories, 1 saddler's shop, 2 hotels, 1 bank and 1 newspaper office. The U S. Land office was located here, 1874. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Mo., 1874, p. 262.)

It is located at Sec. 17, Twp. 34 N, R 4 E, at the junction of Highways M, 21, & C.

[6]

Jordan

Jordan was between Hogan and Sabula on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern R. R. (--Map of Mo., 1894, Rand, McNally & Co.)

Kaolin

Kaolin was a post-office 12 miles west of Iron Mountain (St. Francois Co.). (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 262.)

Mann

Mann was a post-office (1903-04) in the northeast part of the county, near Washington Co. line. (--The State of MO., in 1904, p.409; Missouri Manual, 1903-04, p. 469.)

The post-office was discontinued as of October 31, 1919. Thereafter mail via Belleview. (--Missouri Manual, 1919-20, p.732.)

Marble Creek

Marble Creek was a post-office (1903-04) in the eastern part of the county, northeast of Sabula, near the Madison Co. line. (--Sec. Map of Mo., 1894, Rand, McNally & Co.; Mo. Manual, 1903-04, p. 469; The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 409.)

Middlebrook

It is a small village a few miles north of Ironton, on the St. Francois Co. line, laid out in 1856. (--Hist. of Southeast Mo., 1888, Goodspeed, p. 455; New Atlas of Mo., Map #31; The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 409.)

It is the shipping-point for the granite quarries. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 262.)

It is located at Sec. 12, Twp. 34 N, R 3 E, on Highway W, north of 21.

Minimum

It is located at Sec. 9 & 10, Twp. 31 N, R 4 E, on Highway C, near the Madison Co. line.

It was named in 1910 for Minnie, wife of Dr. N. A. Farr, Postmaster. (--Our Storehouse of Mo. Place Names, Ramsay, pp.72, 74.)

Montana

Montana was a post-office (1903-04) in the northern part of the county near the Washington Co. line. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 409; Mo. Manual, 1903-04, p. 469.)

[7]

Pilot Knob

An incorporated town in Arcadia Township, one mile north of Ironton. It contained a large mining and smelting plant, two general stores, a school and a hotel. Population in 1890 was 757. (--Encyclopedia of The Hist. of Mo., 1901, Conard, Vol.5, p. 190.)

It was laid out in 1858 and incorporated in 1867. (--Gazetteer of Mo., 1874, p. 262.)

It is located at Sec. 30, Twp. 34 N, R 4 E, on Highways V & 21. It was named from Pilot Knob nearby. (--How MO. Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, 3rd. Article, p. 176.)

Pilot Knob (elevation 581 feet)

Pilot Knob was a deposit of iron ore in the form of a symmetrical mountain the largest mass of its kind in the United States. It is six miles south of the Iron Mountain (St. Francois Co.), and near it at a distance of a quarter of a mile is another mass of ore called Shepherd Mountain. Pilot Knob is 581 feet high, and has a base area of 550 acres. It is the most conspicuous elevation in Missouri and was given the name it bears because it was to the early settlers a land mark and guide. (--Encyclopedia of The Hist. of Mo., 1901, Conard, Vol.5, p. 190.)

Like the better known Iron Mountain, Pilot Knob was believed to be composed of solid iron. It was worked for nearly 50 years before the deposits were discovered to be shallow surface layers.

Nearby are the ruins of Fort Davidson, where a vastly outnumbered Union garrison checked a raid led by Confederate Sterling Price that was aimed at St. Louis in September 1864. Price abandoned plans for attacking St. Louis when he learned the city had been strongly reinforced while he vainly pursued Fort Davidson's defenders who slipped away from him during the night. (--The Empire That Missouri Pacific Serves, p. 239.)

Pippin

It was named for the apple of the same name. (--How Mo. Counties, Towns And Streams Were Named, 3rd. Article, p. 176.)

It was near Pilot Knob. (--Gen Scheme, 1905, Taft, p. 48.)

Pine Grove

It was located in Kaolin Twp., at Sec. 7, Twp. 34 N, R 2 E. (--New Atlas of Mo., Map #31.)

Rawlin

Rawlin was located in Kaolin Twp. at Sec. 16, Twp. 34 N, R 2 E, north of Pine Grove. (--New Atlas of Mo., Map #31.)

[8]

Rocky Glade

Rocky Glade was located at Sec. 28, Twp. 33 N, R 4 E, near Liberty Twp. line. (--New Atlas of Mo., 1874, Map #31.)

Red Point

A settlement in the extreme eastern part of Dent Co. Now listed in Iron County. Listed as a post-office in Dent Co. 1883. Named for the iron in the neighborhood. (--A Thesis by Anna O'Brien, B. S. in Ed. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, in the Graduate School, of The University of Mo., 1931.)

It was on the Dent Co. line, about equidistant between Reynolds and Crawford Counties. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 409.)

Redmondville

It is located at Sec. 30, Twp. 34 N, R 1 E, on an unmarked county road north of T, near the junction of T & 49.

Reynolds

Reynolds was a post-office on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern R. R., 16 miles south of Ironton. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 262.)

Reynolds is now in Reynolds Co. (--Standard Reference Guide of Mo., 1974, Rand, McNally & Co.)

Russell's Mills

It was a post-office on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern R.R., 11 miles south of Ironton. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 263.) It is not listed in Missouri Manual 1893-94, the earliest Manual to list post-offices.

Sabula

Sabula is located in the southern part of the county, 4 miles north of Annapolis, 9 miles south of Glover. (--The State of MO., in 1904, p. 409.)

It is located at Sec. 3, Twp. 31 N, R 3 E, on Highway 49 north of Annapolis. Mail via Annapolis.

Sand Bluff

Sand Bluff was in the northwest section of the county, near Reynolds Co. line. It was northeast of Edgehill. (--Sectional Map of Mo., 1894, Rand, McNally & Co.)

[9]

Shepard

It was a post-office listed in Missouri Manual, 1917-18, p.642. The post-office was discontinued as of Nov. 1, 1929. Thereafter mail via Enough. (--Missouri Manual, 1929-30, p. 939.)

Shepherd Mountain (elevation 660 feet)

It is a mountain of magnetic ore, 660 feet high with a base of 800 acres. It is a quarter of a mile west of Pilot Knob. Very little mining has been done it. (--Encyclopedia of The Hist. of MO., 1901, Conard, Vol. 5, p.584.)

It is located at Sec. 31, Twp. 34 N, R 4 E, north of Ironton.

Taum Sauk Mountain (elevation 1772 feet)

It is the highest point in Missouri, 1772 feet, site of Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Plant.

It is located at Sec. 4, Twp. 33 N, R 3 E, on Highway CC west of 21.

It is thought the name is of the Sauk tribe of Indians, but it is uncertain to what "Taum" refers. (--Our Storehouse of Mo. Place Names, Ramsay, p. 40.)

Tip Top (elevation 1200 feet)

This is the second highest point in Missouri. It is a few miles south of Ironton-Arcadia. One station serves these neighboring communities. (--The Expire That Missouri Pacific Serves, p. 191.)

Tolu

It was in the northwest part of the county, 3 1/2 miles northwest of Goodwater. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 409.)

Apparently it was located at Sec. 25, Twp. 35 N, R 2 E, east of Viburnum.

The post-office was listed in General Scheme of Mo., 1905, p 48; Taft.

Viburnum (Rural branch of Steelville, Crawford Co.*)

It is located at Sec. 26, 27, Twp. 34 5, R 2 E, near the Crawford Co. line.

When it was named in 1904 for the honeysuckle, it was in Crawford Co. (--Our Storehouse of Mo. Place Names, Ramsay, p. 87.)

*Standard Reference Guide of MO., 1974, Rand, McNally & Co.

[10]

Vulcan

Vulcan is located at Sec. 1, Twp. 30 N, R 4 E, in the southeast corner of the county near Wayne County line, on Highway 49, south of Annapolis.

The name is of classical derivation, and was given in 1915. (--Our Storehouse of Missouri Place Names, Ramsay, p. 98.)

 

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