Springfield-Greene
County LibraryCompiled by Arthur Paul Moser
Morgan County
[1]
Akinsville
It was in the northeast corner of the county, near the Moniteau Co. line. It was 2 1/2 miles west of Fortuna. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 457.)
It was named for the Rev. Shannon Akins, the owner of the original town site. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, David W. Eaton, Fourth Article, from a series of articles in The Missouri Historical Review, 1917, p. 334.)
It was a station on the Versailles Railroad. It contained a post-office, blacksmith shop and wagon shop, and a general store kept by Davinna Brothers. Population 30 (1889). (--State of Mo., Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 434.)
It is no longer listed.
It was located at Sec. 19, Twp. 44 N, R. 17 W, on Highway F. (--General Highway Map of Morgan County, issued by The Missouri State Highway Department, 10-1-69. Unless otherwise noted all map descriptions are from this map.)
Alvin
Alvin was in the northeast section of the county, on R. F. D. from Versailles. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 457.)
Apparently it was located at Sec. 4, Twp. 43 N, R. 17 W, on Highway 5, north of Versailles. It is no longer listed.
Barnettsville
(See Stone House); also known as Barnett. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Mo., 1874, p. 392.)
Barnett is 12 miles north of Versailles. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 457.)
In 1889, Barnett had a population of 30; it had a church, drug store, blacksmith shop, and post-office and general store by F. W. Inglish. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 435.)
What is supposed to have been the great Marshfield Cyclone of April 18, 1880, totally destroyed Barnett, the merchant A. Y. Campbell, Henry McKinley, northeast of Barnett and Mrs. C. Green and two children being killed and nearly every other person in the place being wounded. (--Ibid: p. 452.)
It is located at Sec. 22 & 27, Twp. 42 N, R. 16 W, at the junction of Highways C & 52.
Bebra
Bebra contained a general store by Carl Hildebrandt. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 435.)
Apparently it was located in Sec. 31, Twp. 43 N, R. 19 W, near the Pettis County line, on an unmarked county road west of Highway 135 and north of 52. It is gone.
[2]
Big Gravois Cave
At the mouth of the Big Gravois is a cave with an opening of fifty feet. This runs back about 300 yards. From the hill is an opening down to the cave, through which voices below can be heard. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 391.)
Bond's Mines
It was a post-office 15 miles south of Versailles. (Gazetteer of Mo., p. 392.)
Apparently is was located at Sec. 9, Twp. 40 N, R. 17 W, on an unmarked county road leading south from the junction of Highways 5 & P. It is gone.
Boyler's Mill
Boyler's Mill was a post-office west, southwest of Versailles. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 392.)
It was near the Benton County line, 2 miles from Zora, Benton Co. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 457.)
Boyler's Mill, named in honor of James Byler and the name was changed by the Post Office Department in naming the post-office. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, p. 334.)
It contained a water flour-mill, a post-office and store. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 435.)
It was located at Sec. 6, Twp. 41 N, R. 19 W, on Highway FF, near the Benton Co. line.
Buffalo Spring Mines Not a Post-Office
The mines were located at Sec. 12, Twp. 24 (sic) R. 18. (There is no township 24. Evidently 42 is meant. Twp. 24, R. 18, is in Taney County.) (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 397.)
Cape Galena
Cape Galena was eighteen miles south of Versailles. There were two markets. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 435.)
Cave Mills A cave
On the headwaters of the Gravois, southwest of Versailles is a cave called Cave Mills, (1889). (--Ibid: p. 396.)
[3]
Corcyra
It was in the southwest corner of the county, near the Camden Co. line, and 5 1/2 miles from Purvis, (Camden Co.). (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 457.)
It is no longer listed.
Enid
It was on the R. F. D., between Versailles and Excelsior. (--Ibid: p. 457.)
Excelsior
Excelsior is ten miles northeast of Versailles, and had 3 stores, 1 flouring-mill and 1 school-house; population about 75 (1874). (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 392.)
It is on R. F. D. from Versailles. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 457.)
This town was platted February 3, 1868, by John C. Radcliff. It is situated on Sec. 18, 19, Twp. 43 N, R. 16 W, and is east and a little north of Versailles. It had 50 inhabitants, a post-office, store, blacksmith shop, flour-mill and church (1889). (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 433.)
It is on Highway K; mail through Versailles.
Florence
Florence, 13 miles northwest of Versailles, was located in 1840, and then called Jonesboro. For a long time it had a brisk trade, but on the completion of the Mo. Pac. R. R., this fell away. It had 2 stores and a population of about 200 (1874). (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 392.)
Florence, first called Williamsville, but the name was changed to Florence about 1840. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, p. 334.)
The first settlers of Florence were Dr. Sherman, who settled at this point ... and William Baughman, blacksmith. It was laid out and platted June 3, 1882 ... It suffered from fires during the Civil War, and since has never recovered its prosperity fully. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 433.)
It is located at Sec. 11, Twp. 44 N, R. 19 W, at the junction of Highways 135 & JJ. It has a population of 75; has its own P. O.
Gladstone
It was in the southeast corner of the county, near the Miller and Camden County lines. It was 3 1/2 miles north of Corcyra. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 457.)
It was named in honor of the great Prime Minister of England. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, p. 334.)
[4]
Glensted
Glensted is 6 miles north of Versailles on the Sedalia branch of the Mo. Pac. R. R. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 457.)
Glensted was founded by Joseph Millburn and named by him for the town of Glenstadt in Germany, by "Americanizing" the word. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns, and Streams Were Named, p. 334.)
A church, and two residences, and a store -- constituted the town interests in 1889. Population was 12. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 434.)
It is located at Sec. 1, Twp. 43 N, R. 18 W, on Highway T, east of D. Population 30. Mail through Versailles.
Globe Mining and Smelting Works
Globe Mining and Smelting Works, on Mill Creek, in Sec. 9 were in operation, (1889). (No mine symbol is shown on the current Map of Morgan Co.) (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 398.)
Gravois Creek
A creek, named from the great amount of gravel in its stream bed. Gravois -- French for rubbish, rubble, whence gravel. Pike on his exploration trip up the Osage River marked it Grand River on his map. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, p. 334.)
Gravois Mills
It is a post-office 8 miles south of Versailles. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 392.)
It is located on the stream of the same name, from which it was named. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns, and Streams Were Named, p. 334.)
It was platted and made a village January 22, 1884, by James Brothers. It had a population of 30; it contained one general store, one grocery and one drug store and a blacksmith shop. Near the village were the Gravois Mills, water-power, flour and saw, and a short distance above the mills was a woolen factory, which was started in 1870 by Hames brothers ... (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 434.)
It is located at Sec. 20 & 17, Twp. 41 N, R. 17 W, on Highway 5, south of TT. Population 34.
Mill
It was in Osage Twp. It had a saw and grist mill, 1889. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 411.)
[5]
Haw Creek
It was 22 miles northeast of Warsaw (Benton Co.). It contained 1 general store. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 392.)
Apparently it was located at Sec. 6, Twp. 42 N, R. 19 W, on Highway 52, near the Benton Co. line.
Ionia
In 1841 Ionia was laid out 6 miles north of Versailles, and unsuccessful efforts were made to remove the county seat to that place, but nothing is now left to mark its existence. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 389, 390.)
Jacob's Cave
The Jacob's Cave, seven miles south of Versailles, was first discovered by a miner, who, in digging, opened out into a very large room. This had been explored half a mile without the end of it being discovered. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 397.)
Kelsay Settlement
In the year 1825 Hugh Kelsay and the younger Alexander, James, Samuel and William Kelsay settled on Moreau Creek, about six miles east of Versailles. (--Ibid: p. 404.)
Laurie
Laurie is located at Sec. 29, Twp. 40 N, R. 17 W, on Highway 5, near the Camden Co. line. It is a rural branch of Gravois Mills.
Marvin
Marvin was named for Major H. L. Marvin, at one time chief engineer of the railroad built through the place. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, p. 334.)
It was located at Sec. 11, Twp. 42 N, R. 17 W, on Highway 52 southeast of E.
Millville
The second school in the county was at the Walton settlement, afterward the first post-office and town or named place in the county. Walton had built his mill, and the place took the name of Millville. When the county seat was taken from Millville and brought permanently to Versailles, the people of the place in 1836 built a log school house ... A two-story frame school house was then put up and answered for many years the school purposes of Versailles. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 436.) It is gone.
[6]
Mining Port
In 1831 Seth Howard settled at the mouth of Gravois Creek and started the once prosperous place, Mining Port. The great flood in 1837 utterly destroyed it. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 405; Gaz. of Mo., pp. 389, 390.)
It was approximately 17 miles south of Versailles. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 442.)
Pacific City
(--Ibid: p. 433.)
Price's Cave
Price's Cave, southeast of Versailles eight miles, on Indian Creek (dry branch) enters on a level, in which one can ride a horse. This has been examined for more than a mile ... The cave appears to branch and run in different directions ... (--Ibid: p. 596.)
Proctor
Proctor was in the southeast corner of the county, near the Camden Co. line. It was 5 miles northwest of Carver, (Camden Co.). (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 457.)
Proctor was named for "Ben" Proctor, the pioneer settler on the creek on which the village is located. Proctor was acquainted with the art of making gun-powder in a crude way, and he supplied himself and the pioneers with the necessary explosive. His face was scarred by an accidental explosion of gun-powder. He died years ago in Benton County, Mo. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns, and Streams Were Named, p. 334.)
Proctor was situated one mile north of the Osage River, on the Springfield and Boonville Road. It was settled at an early day by Samuel Willison, and in time became a small trading-point and was made a post-office. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 434.)
It was located at Sec. 5, 8, Twp. 40 N, R. 18 W, at the south end of Highway J, southwest of 135. It is no longer listed.
Purvis Cave
Purvis Cave, on Mill Creek, in Sec. 17, Twp. 40 N, R. 17 W, has a fine entrance ... It also seems to branch in different directions. In it have been found bear-dens and evidence that at one time the Indians have occupied parts of it. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 397.)
[7]
Pyrmont
It was a post-office hamlet. It had a store kept by Gehrs & Warnede. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 435.)
It is located at Sec. 9, Twp. 43 N, R. 19 W, near the junction of Highway 135 & C. Mail through Stover.
Reedsburg
Reedsburg was platted and made a legal village, January 1, 1858, by Norman Reed. It was on Sec. 2, Twp. 41 N, R. 18 W, on the line of the contemplated railroad across the county. It the road had filled expectations then the town of Reedsburg would also have no doubt done likewise ... As it is, it is mostly non est inventus. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 433.)
Rocky Mount (formerly in Miller County)
Rocky Mount, as now (1889) located, was included in the site entered by a Mr. Solomon late in the 1840's, and a site was soon opened. In 1870 there were four stores, two blacksmiths and two wagon makers. In 1889 there was but one store, a restaurant, post-office and a school building. (--Hist. of Miller Co., p. 571.)
It was 20 miles west, northwest of Tuscumbia, and was situated between the breaks of the Osage River and the Prairie. It contained one store. (1874). (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 369.)
Rocky Mount was a post-office in Miller County until 1917-18. Since 1919-20, it has been a post-office in Morgan County.* Population 15.
It is located at Sec. 21, Twp. 41 N, R. 16 W, on Highway Y near the Miller Co. line.
Stover
Stover is in the western section of the county, near the Benton Co. line. It was on R. D. D. west from Versailles and 7 miles north of Boyler's Mill. (--The State of Mo, in 1904, p. 457.)
It was named in honor of Col. John H. Stover, one-time member of Congress from the district. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns, and Streams Were Named, p. 339.)
Stover had a church and general store. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 435.)
It is a post-office town located at Sec. 35, Twp. 43 N, R. 19 W, and Sec. 2, Twp. 42 N, same range, at the junction of Highways 52, N, & 135. Population 849.
*Missouri Manual, 1919-20, p. 729.
[8]
St. Martins
It was 8 miles north of Versailles on the Versailles and Tipton Road. It had 1 store, (1874). (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 392.)
It had a post-office, a blacksmith shop and a general store kept by James R. Lewis. It was east of Glensted. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 434.)
Apparently it was in Sec. 4, Twp. 43 N, R. 17 W, on Highway 5.
St. Martins is now in Cole County. (--Rand, McNally Reference Map and Guide of Mo.)
Stone House (Barnettsville)
It was 9 miles east, southeast of Versailles, in the midst of a rich farming country. It had 2 general stores and about 50 inhabitants. (1874). (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 392.)
Syracuse
Syracuse was originally called Pacific City. The first settlers were J. H. Sand, E. S. Ralston, John Finley and T. J. Shanklin. A part of the land on which the town is built was entered by Ralston. His and George Shackleford's farms comprised the original plat, as laid out January 25, 1859, by Kindall, Houk & Co., and George Shackleford. The first store was the terminus of the Missouri Pacific R. R. In addition to 5 stores, the town contained a blacksmith and wagon-maker, the Union Church, a school and post-office. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., pp. 433, 434; Gaz. of Mo., p. 392.)
It is located at Sec. 10, 11, 14 & 15, Twp. 45 N, R. 18 W, on Highways D & 50.
The name was changed from Pacific City to Syracuse, for the town in New York. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, p. 334.)
Todd
It was in the southwest section of the county 15 1/2 miles southwest from Versailles. (--The State of Mo, in 1904, p. 457.)
It was named in honor of the first postmaster. (--How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, p. 334.)
Tuckersville
Tuckersville was southwest of Versailles in the extreme southern part of the county, nearly surrounded by the Osage River. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 392.)
Apparently it was in Sec. 24, Twp. 40 N, R. 19 W.
[9]
Versailles
Versailles is situated in Sec. 6, Twp. 42 N, R. 17 W ... The original plat, made in 1835, was a donation to the county by Wyman & (Hugh) Galbraith ... Mr. Street Thruston was commissioner to located the county seat, and this point was selected and named Versailles in February, 1835 ... Hugh Galbraith built the first house, in which he opened the first store ... The first bricks ever made in the county were by a man named Jones, and of these was built High Galbraith's store ... By a vote of the people Versailles was made an incorporated village February 13, 1866 ...
May 21, 1881, an election was called on the question of incorporating the town under the general law as a fourth-class city. The total vote cast was seventy-two and the result was a majority of eight in the affirmative ... Within a few yards of the city's eastern limits was the Martin Coal Mine, (1889) with steam saw mill attachment ... Near the corporate limits, on the southwest, it what has long been known as the alum well. People pronounced it very strong alum water, even stronger, possibly, than could be made by dissolving any amount of alum in water. It was discovered by teamsters that to bathe their horse's shoulders in the water would cure them of any sores ... It was never analyzed, and the shaft, about twenty-five feet deep, was allowed to fill with surface water.
A disastrous fire occurred October 23, 1886, which destroyed several buildings ... October 2, 1887, a second disastrous fire destroyed several buildings on the public square ... (--Hist. of Morgan Co., pp. 401, 423, 424, 425, 428.)
It is located on Highways 5, 52 & W, in addition to the section, township and range mentioned in the first paragraph.
The name was given by act of the Legislature and was named for the palace near Paris, France. (--How Mo. Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, pp. 333, 334.)
Williamsville
See Florence.
Wolf Cave
East of Versailles, and about a quarter of a mile from Martin's Coal-pit is Wolf Cave. It has never been investigated. (--Hist. of Morgan Co., p. 396.)
[10]
Dow
It was near the Cooper County line, east of Syracuse. (--Map of Mo., 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.
Newstover
A post-office listed in Missouri Manual, 1905-06, p. 386.
It was north of Stover. (--Map of Mo., 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.)
Ouachita
It was southeast of Pyrmont. (--Map of Mo., 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.)