Springfield-Greene
County LibraryCompiled by Arthur Paul Moser
Pike County
[1]
Aberdeen
Aberdeen was a post-office 12 miles south of Louisiana. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Mo., 1874, 441.)
It was 4 miles north of Eolia. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, Walter Williams, 479.)
The post-office was discontinued in 1905. (--General Scheme of Mo., 1905, Taft, 83.)
Annada elevation 450 feet
It is in the southeast corner of the county. (--1896 Atlas, Rand McNally, 48.)
It is the first station north of Starkdale. (--Williams, 479.)
It is situated on Sec. 19, Twp. 52 N, R. 2 E on Highway 79 north of Lincoln County line. (--General Highway Map of Pike Co., issued by The Missouri State Highway Dept., 4-1-66. Unless otherwise noted, all map locations are from this map.
Appleton
See Clarksville.
Ashburn
Ashburn is the first station south of Busch on B-N Railway. (--Williams, 479.)
It is situated on Sec. 18, Twp. 55 N, R. 2 W on TT east of 79.
Ashley Ashley Township
The town of Ashley had about 400 inhabitants and is located in the southwestern part of the county, six miles from Bowling Green ...
While the town was named for General Ashley, of Arkansas, it was laid out by William Kerr in 1836. Barzel Riggs was one of the first or perhaps the first settler in the town, and had the honor of building the first house in the place. The fist store was kept by D. E. M. Parsons. The first mill was built by Burns & Staley in 1843 ... (--818, 819.)
It had a flourishing public school, Western Seminary, which was free to all indigent scholars. It contained the number of houses usual to a town of 400. (--Campbell, 441, 442; Ency. of the Hist. of Mo., 1901, Conard, Vol. 1, 68.)
[2]
Ashley
Ashley is situated on Sec. 27, Twp. 52 N, R. 3 W at the junction of KK & 161.
Mail is via Bowling Green; population 100. (--Standard Ref. Guide of Mo., 1974, Rand McNally.)
Booth
Booth was between Bowling Green and Curryville, on the C. & A. Railroad. (--Map of Mo., 1917, Rand McNally.)
Bowling Green elevation 880 feet
Bowling Green, the capital of Pike County, is situated in the center of Cuivre Township ... Bowling Green was laid out as early as 1826 by E. E. Trabue and William McPike. In 1883 the business interests of the town included 5 dry goods stores, 7 grocery stores, 3 drug stores, 2 saddle and harness shops, 1 lumberyard, etc. ... (--Pike Co., 760, 761.)
It is 12 miles southeast of Louisiana, and, except Buffalo Knob, is on the highest point of land in Pike County. The town was first settled in 1819. The county records were removed thither from Louisiana (the old county seat) in 1824. Among other businesses it had 1 tobacco manufactory, 1 saddler's and 2 wagon and plow shops, etc. (--Campbell, 442, See, also, Conard, Vol. 1, 344.)
It was laid out on the same plan and named for Bowling Green, Kentucky. (--How Mo. Counties, Towns & Streams Were Named, 4th Art. Eaton, 341.)
It is situated on Sec. 23, 24, 25, 26, Twp. 53 N, R. 3 W. at the junction of AA, 61, 54, and 161.
Bryson
Bryson was on R. F. D. northwest from Louisiana. (--Williams, 479.)
Buffalo Fort
The fort was built on the farm of Alexander Allison, two miles south of Louisiana, near Isgreg's spring, and was so planned that the water could be obtained without exposure to the enemy. All the families of the neighborhood moved into the fort -- twenty-one in number ... Everything was peaceful for the first year, then the Indians began to attack the workers in the fields ... The settlers made application for military protection. Governor Clark not deeming this expedient sent a body of soldiers to remove the families to St. Louis for protection ... After a skirmish with the Indians on Mud Lick Prairie, part of the families were escorted by land and a part on a flat-boat down the Mississippi River, the fort having been burned. (--Pike Co., 192.)
[3]
Busch
Bush is located on the northern edge of the county near Ralls County line on Burlington Northern Railroad. (--Map of Mo., 1917, Rand McNally.)
It is situated on Sec. 2, Twp. 55 N, R. 3 W on 79 south of Ralls County line.
Mail is via New London, Ralls Co. -- rural; no population. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Calumet
Calumet was a post-office 11 miles east of Bowling Green. (--Campbell, 442.)
It is 3 miles north of Aberdeen. (--Williams, 479.)
The post-office was discontinued pre 1905. (--Taft, 83.)
It is situated on Sec. 33, Twp. 53 N R. 1 W at the junction of N & D.
Mail is via Clarksville -- rural; no population. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Charlemont
Charlemont was situated on Sec. 10, Twp. 52 N R. 2 W in Cuivre Township. (--New Atlas of Mo., Map 20.; Campbell.)
Clarksville elevation 460 feet Calumet Township
As early as 1817 the little settlement was known as Clarksville. Some say it was named for the first territorial governor; others say it was named for General George Rogers Clark, who was associated with Lewis on the first expedition ever made as far as the Rocky Mountains ...
The town of Clarksville was laid out by Governor John Miller, on land which was patented to him by President James Monroe. Gov. Miller soon after disposed of his interest to Richard Graham, Judge Wash and others, and they subsequently sold lots to the early settlers, the first sale taking place in 1818.
It had a flour mill, a vinegar factory, stave and barrel factory, paper mill, two broom factories, foundry and other business interests, also several churches. (--Pike Co., 531, 532, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 543, 547, 548, 550, 551.)
Clarksville was known among river men as "appletown," on account of the number of apple barrels shipped from there every fall. (--Campbell, 443, see, also, Conard, Vol. 2, 17, 18.)
It is situated on Sec. 8, 17, 18, Twp. 53 N R. 1 E. at the junction of N & 79.
[4]
Curryville elevation 830 feet
Curryville is situated in the southeastern portion of Spencer Township, and in the western part of Pike County. It is 19 miles from the Mississippi River and 8 miles west of Bowling Green. Curryville was first laid out in 1866 under the supervision of Perry A. Curry, one of the oldest settlers in the township and for whom the town was named. Judge Harmon Caldwell and Aaron McPike were the early settlers of the place.
The town was not incorporated until 1874 ... The first business house was erected by E. T. Edwards in the year 1867, in which he conducted a general merchandise business. (--Pike Co., 950, 951; also, Campbell, 443; Conard, Vol. 2, 208.)
Dr. H. P. Lewis was the first physician, locating in April 1867 ... T. J. Ayres & Co. dry goods & groceries, C. C. Davis, grocer, E. T. Edwards, dry goods & groceries, G. A. Jones hardware, Reed & Hughlett, drugs. There were four churches. (--Pike Co., 953, 955, 959.)
It is situated on Sec. 21, 22, 27, & 28, Twp. 53 N, R. 4 W, at the junction of E, M & 54.
Cyrene
Cyrene is the first station southeast of Bowling Green, on St. Louis & Hannibal Railroad. (--1896 Atlas, "Evening in Wisconsin" Edition, 48.)
It is a hamlet in Pike County, six miles from Bowling Green. It had a saw-and grist-mill, two stores and a grain elevator. Population, 1899 (estimated) 125. (--Conard, Vol. 2, 213.)
It is situated on Sec. 10, Twp. 52 N, R. 2 W on Highway 61.
It is a rural branch of Bowling Green; population 40. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Edgewood
It is the first station southeast of Cyrene. (--Williams, 479.)
It is situated on Survey 1685, Twp. 52 N, R. 2 W on WW east of 61, southeast of Cyrene.
Mail is via Cyrene; population 40. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Elk Lick Spring
It was a mineral spring about 3 miles from Spencerburgh. (--Campbell, 444.)
It was located in the northwest corner of the county near Ralls County line. (--Williams, 479.)
[5]
Eolia Prairieville Township
The population was about 40. (--Pike Co., 866.)
It is near the Lincoln County line, 9 miles south of Aberdeen. (--Williams, 479.)
It is situated on Sec. undetermined, Twp. 52 N, R. 1 W at the junction of 61, FF, and H.
Estes
Estes is located in the southwest portion of the county, south of New Harmony. (--Williams, 479.)
It is situated on Sec. 32, Twp. 52 N, R. 4 W at the junction of V & Y.
Mail is via Middletown, Montgomery Co.; no population. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Farmer earlier Farmersville
There was one store at Farmersville. Moses Farmer was proprietor. (--Pike Co., 915.)
Farmer is northeast of Estes. (--Williams, 479.)
It is situated on Sec. 23, 24, 25, & 26, Twp. 52 N, R. 4 W on Y east of M.
Farmer, mail via Bowling Green and Curryville; no population. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Fords
Fords was the first station north of Peno on St. Louis & Hannibal Railroad. (--Map of Mo., 1894, Rand McNally.)
[6]
Frankford
Frankford, the only town in Peno Township as of 1883, was laid out as early as the year 1819. The owner of the land, or proprietor, was Solomon Fisher, and the surveyor or engineer was Stephen Cleaver ...
The town was incorporated by the circuit court in 1857, and by the Legislature in 1859 ... Among the early settlers of Frankford are to be the names of Adam Mace, a captain in the Black Hawk War; Solomon Petty, Reason Vermillion, and Absalom Petty ...
The first store was established in Frankford as early as 1820, by Jerry Stark ... The first house built in the town was a log building erected by Captain Mace ... The first carpenter and cabinet maker was Reason Vermillion.
The first mill was built in 1840. This was a horse-mill conducted by Micahah Thompson, and was really in the township rather than the town, but was so near as to be called the Frankford mill ... Reason Vermillion was the first postmaster the village ever had. It is said he served the community faithfully and well, receiving about two letters per month and carrying them in his hat in order that he might deliver them at the first opportunity ... (--Pike Co., 998, 999, 1000.)
Frankford, 12 miles northwest of Bowling Green ... was laid out in 1831 by Solomon Fisher. It contained a large wool darning and cloth manufactory ... It had several churches, a good school, 9 stores and a harness shop. Population about 500, 1874. (--Campbell, 443; Conard, Vol. 2, 509.)
It is situated on Secs. 34, 35, Twp. 55 N, and Sec. 2, 3, Twp. 54 N, R. 4 W at the junction of B, C, ZZ & 61.
Gazette
It is in the southern part of the county. (--1896 Atlas, Rand McNally, 48.)
It is near Audrain County line, 12 miles from Vandalia and 6 miles from Mt. Carmel, Audrain Co. (--Williams, 479.)
It is situated on Secs. 7 & 15, Twp. 51 N, R. 4 W at the junction of K & AC.
Mail is via Middletown, Montgomery Co.; rural, no population. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Haw Creek
Haw Creek was in the northwest section of the county near Ralls County line. (--Williams, 479.)
[7]
Hildrey
Hildrey was located in the southwest portion of the county near the western edge of Lincoln County. (--Williams, 479.)
The post-office was discontinued pre 1905. (--Taft, 83.)
Kissenger earlier Kissinger
It is located in the southeast corner of the county. (--Williams, 479.)
It is situated on Sec. 2, Twp. 52 N R. 1 E on 79.
It has no population. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
La Moffe
It was the first station southeast of Busch on B. N. Railroad. (--Map of Mo., 1917, Rand McNally.)
Louisiana elevation 475 feet
Louisiana is situated in the eastern part of Buffalo Township, and just north of the confluence of the Mississippi with the Noix ... The site upon which the town was first built was first owned by John Bryson, who came from South Carolina in the fall of 1816, and in the spring of 1817 pre-empted one-fourth of Section 18, Township 54 of Range 1 west.
The town was laid out by James Jones, the first surveyor of the county and was named for the State of Louisiana, and not after the beautiful face of some Louise, as many have imagined.
The first hotel, or tavern, as it was then called, was located in the corner of Second and Georgia Streets ... This house was built in the spring of 1819, and was first kept by Obadiah Dickinson ...
When Pike County had grown sufficient to be set off from St. Charles as an independent county ... the commissioners who were to select a site for the county seat determined that Louisiana would become the county capital, and hence a court-house and jail became imperative.
The first physician that ever located in Louisiana, is said to have been Dr. Albion T. Crow, who came in 1818 ... Among the very earliest school teachers may also be named Charles Rouse, who was at that time or subsequently, a lawyer ... (--Pike Co., 645, 644, 646, 647.)
The place was founded in 1818 by Samuel K. Caldwell and Joel Shaw, and was the first seat of justice, and the first town laid off in the territory which afterward became Pike County. (--Campbell, 443.)
[8]
Louisiana (Cont)
It covers several sections in Twp. 54 N, R. 1 W at the junction of 54, 79 & D.
Love
It was the first station south of Reading on B-N R. R. (Map of Mo., 1894, Rand McNally.)
Marzoff
Marzoff was west of St. Clements. (--Williams, 479.)
McCune's Station
It was 7 miles north of Bowling Green, on St. Louis & Hannibal Railroad. (--Williams, 479.)
McIntosh
McIntosh was south of Louisiana. (--1896 Atlas, Rand McNally, 48.)
New Harmony
New Harmony, laid out in 1867, on Indian Creek, 9 miles southwest of Bowling Green ... contained 3 stores, 1 wagon shop, 1 hotel and a saw and grist-mill. Population about 200, 1874.
In 1883 New Harmony was the only town in Indian Township. Once there were two stores, a saloon, two blacksmith shops, wagon shop and mill. It had suffered seriously from encroachments made on its trade by Curryville and Vandalia ... Thomas Hughlett was the first settler of New Harmony ... Dr. Matthews was the first physician of New Harmony in 1883. He was also druggist, postmaster and preacher. (--Pike Co., 915.)
It was in the southwestern portion of the county south of Curryville. (--Williams, 479.)
It was situated on Sec. 8, Twp. 52 N, R. 4 W on an unmarked county road between V & N north of Estes.
The post-office was discontinued pre 1905. (--Taft, 83.)
[9]
New Hartford
The first hotel was kept by Marion Motley. In 1883 the business directory was D. W. Motley & Bro., dry goods & groceries; Thomas H. Savage & Wells, dry goods, groceries and drugs; Martin Bros., blacksmith; C. B. Cameron, cabinet maker; W. H. Clark, physician; Thomas H. Savage, postmaster. (--Pike Co., 879.)
New Hartford, 10 miles southwest of Bowling Green, on Indian Creek, contained a church and school building, 5 stores, 1 carriage manufactory, 1 hotel, and 1 saw and grist mill. (--Campbell, 443, 444.)
It is situated on Sec. 8, Twp. 57 N, R. 3 W at the junction of PP & 161, southwest of Ashley.
Population 30. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Paynesville Calumet Township
This village ... is situated in the southern portion of the township ... As early as 1819, a few "newcomers" had settled upon lands adjacent to the present village, and Thomas Buchanan, who was evidently the first settler upon the present site of the town, had built his cabin and located here ... Andrew Forgey settled at Paynesville as early as 1823, buying out Buchanan and proceeded to engage in merchandising. About 1823 the town came into possession of its name, which was given to it by Mr. Forgey, who called it Paynesville, after a Mr. Payne, of St. Louis, from whom he had bought his first stock of goods. At this early day the town had no post-office ... In 1883 the place had the following places: 3 dry goods stores, 1 grocery store, 1 drug store, 1 millinery store, 2 physicians, 3 churches, 3 school houses and a mill. (--Pike Co., 552, 553.)
The Forgey Seminary, a fine school named for the founder of the town, was located here ... (--Campbell, 444.)
It is situated in the southeast corner of the county, on Sec. 21, Twp. 52 N, R. 1 E on H west of Annada.
Peno
Peno was located southeast of Frankford, on St. Louis & Hannibal Railroad. (--1896 Atlas of the World, Rand McNally, 48.)
Prairie Mound Hartford Township
It was situated on Sec. 19, Twp. 54 N, R. 3 W. (--New Atlas of Mo., Map 20.)
[10]
Prairieville Prairieville Township
The first school in the township was taught by E. N. Bonfils, about 1854. The first drug store was opened by Lewis Minor, in 1857. Population, 1883, 100.
Wm. F. Smith was hotel keeper; Alex Turner, merchant. (--Pike Co., 866, 873.)
Prairieville, 12 miles southeast of Bowling Green, was laid out in 1837 by Wm. Nally ... It contained an Episcopal Church, a good public school and 4 stores. (--Campbell, 444.)
Reading
Reading was a post-office 8 miles west of Louisiana. (--Campbell, 444.)
It was situated on Sec. 12, Twp. 54 N, R. 3 W in Peno Township. (--New Atlas of Mo., Map 20.)
Reading Station
It is the first station southeast of Riverland on B-N R. R. (--Map of Mo., 1917, Rand McNally.)
It is situated on Sec. 33, Twp. 55 N, R. 2 W northwest of Louisiana.
No population shown. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Riverland
It is the first station north of Ashburn on B-N R. R. (--Map of Mo., 1917, Rand McNally.)
Mail is via Ashburn; no population. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Saint Clement
Saint Clement is on R. F. D. from Bowling Green. (--Williams, 479.)
It is situated on Sec. 14, Twp. 52 N, R. 3 W at the junction of J & 161.
Mail is via Bowling Green; population 150. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Sledd
Sledd was on the Lincoln County line south from Palmyra. (--Map of Mo., 1910, Kenyon Co., Des Moines.)
[11]
Spencerburg
The town of Spencerburg is the oldest and until the building of Curryville, was the only town in Spencer Township ... The country around Spencerburg was settled at a very early day by immigrants from Kentucky, and it was their descendants who up the mass of population. The town itself was settled by the same people, and as early as 1818 or 1819 some business was done at the place. John W. McQuivelis said to have kept the first store in the place, while Aaron Henrick was the village shoemaker, and also kept in the same shop a small stock of family groceries. W. Doyle was the first blacksmith in the town, and Dr. F. B. Leach the first practicing physician.
The first mill, or indeed a mill of any kind was built by John Orbett, near the site of the little town, as far back as 1817 or 1818. Just when the town of Spencerburg was laid out cannot with accuracy be ascertained, though several have stated that it was done as early as 1819, by John McQuive, and a Mr. Lewis ...
The maps show that in 1866, either all or a part of the town was laid out by J. M. McQuive, on Sec. 30, Twp. 54 N R. 4 W. In 1883 the place had 1 woolen mill, 1 drug store and grocery store, 1 millinery store, 1 cabinet shop, 2 dry goods stores, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 wagon maker's shop, 1 grist and saw mill. Population of less than 200. (--Pike Co., 966, 967.)
It is about 3 miles from the mineral spring known as Elk Lick. It contained 1 church, a public school, 5 stores, 1 woolen mill, 1 wheel wright shop, and a rew other business houses. Population about 200. (--Campbell, 444.)
It is situated on Sec. 30, Twp. 54 N, R. 4 W on MM west of M north of Curryville.
Mail is via Frankford; no population. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Spring Hollow Lime Works
The above kiln or works was situated about one-fourth of a mile east of the town of Bowling Green ... in a gulich or hollow long known as "Spring Hollow." The land on which the quarry was situated was purchased in 187- by P. P. Parker ... (--Pike Co., 751.)
Springdale
Springdale was in the north western portion of the county on R. F. D. from Curryville, near Ralls County line. (--Williams, 479.)
[12]
Starkdale
Starkdale was located in the southeast corner of the county, north of Lincoln County line. (--Williams, 479.)
It was situated on Secs. 8, 9, 16, 17, Twp. 53 N, R. 1 W on D north from Calumet.
Turpin
Turpin was southwest of Kissinger and northwest of Aberdeen. (--Map of Mo., 1917, Rand McNally.)
It was situated on Sec. undetermined, Twp. 52 N, R. 1 E on W south of the junction with WW.
Vera
Vera is the first station northeast of Bowling Green on B-N R. R. (--Map of Mo., 1917, Rand McNally.)
Mail is via Bowling Green; no population. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
Upper St. Louis
The first town in Indian Township was known as Upper St. Louis ... It consisted of a shanty used as a store, a blacksmith shop, and a tread mill for grinding corn. A. and M. S. Branstetter were the proprietors of Upper St. Louis. At this time (1883), there is little danger confounding it with (lower) St. Louis, since every vestige of the "Upper City" has entirely disappeared. (--Pike Co., 913.)
Vannoy's Mill
Vannoy's Mill was a post-office 12 miles southwest of Bowling Green. (--Campbell, 444.)
It was situated on Sec. 27, Twp. 51 N, R. 4 W in Indian Township. (--New Atlas of Mo., Map 20.)
Watson
Watson was situated on Sec. 4, Twp. 53 N, R. 2 W, in Buffalo Township. (--New Atlas, Map 20.)
There is a Watson in Atchison County. (--Rand McNally, 1974.)
[13]
Watts Settlement Calumet Township
On and near Ramsey Creek and at about the center of the township Major John Watts had made a settlement. (--Pike Co., 559.)
White Rock
White Rock was in Buffalo Township, first station north of Louisiana on B-N R. R. (--Map of Mo., 1894, Rand McNally.)