Springfield-Greene
County LibraryCompiled by Arthur Paul Moser
Washington County
[1]
Alum Cave
Alum Cave is a small cave where in the early days of the State alum was obtained. (--How Mo. Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, David W. Eaton, Fifth Article, p. 72. From a series in Missouri Historical Review.)
Anthonie's Mill
It is named for S. D. Anthony, the first postmaster. (--Eaton, p. 72.)
It is on the Crawford County line, 3 miles west of Rock Spring. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 535.)
It is located at Sec. 19, Twp. 39 N, R. 1 W, on Highway N. (--General Highway Map of Washington County, issued by The Missouri State Highway Department, 7-1-63. Unless otherwise noted, all map descriptions are from this map.)
Mail via Bourbon (Crawford County). (--Standard Reference Guide of Mo., 1974, Rand, McNally.)
Algive
Algive was north of Antomie's Mill, in Johnson Twp. (--Map of Mo., 1971, Thos. D. Murphy Co., Red Oak, IA.)
Aptus
Aptus is east of Troutt in Breton Township. (--Map of Mo., 1894, Rand, McNally.)
Mail via Potosi. (--Rand, McNally.)
Baryties
It was named from Baryta, the heaviest of earths, called by the miners "Heavy Spar." (--Eaton, p. 72.)
It is near St. Francois Co. line, 2 1/2 miles southeast of Fertile. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
It is located at Sec. 36, Twp. 39 N, R. 3 E, on an unmarked county road southeast of Fertile.
Mail via Blackwell, (St. Francois Co.). (--Rand, McNally.)
Belgrade
The name means "White Fortress" was was named from the capital of Servia. (--Eaton, p. 72.)
It is in the southern part of the county 12 1/2 miles south of Potosi. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
[2]
Belgrade (Cont)
Belgrade, on Big River, about twelve miles southwest of Potosi, contained two general stores, kept, respectively, by W. H. Townsend & Bro., and F. M. Adams, and one millinery store, post-office and blacksmith shop. (--Hist. of Washington Co., p. 522.)
It is located at Sec. 31, Twp. 36 N, R. 2 E, on Highway C.
Bellefontaine
It was a mining point about 2 miles west of Cadet. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Mo., 1874, p. 633.)
It is located at Sec. 9, Twp. 36 N, R. 3 E, on Highway E.
Mail via Cadet. (--Rand, McNally.)
Bellevue
It was a post-office in 1842. (--U. S. Postal Guide.) Location is unknown.
There is a Bellvue listed in Iron County. (--Rand, NcNally.)
Blanton
Blanton was apparently in Sec. 32, Twp. 40 N, R. 1 W. (--New Atlas of Mo., 1874, Campbell, Map #28 with the aid of Gen. Highway Map of Washington Co.)
Bliss (Kingston)
It is in the northeast section of the county on Big River. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
Brazil
Brazil was in the southwest corner of the county near Crawford County line. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
It was located at Sec. 5, Twp. 36 N, R. 1 W, on an unmarked county road northeast of Y.
Cadet
Cadet is a station on the Mo. Pac. R. R., three miles north of Mineral Point ... It contained the railroad depot, the store of Albert Long and a post-office. It had a population of 50. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 633.)
It is located at Sec. 27, Twp. 38 N, R. 3 E, on Highway J east of H.
It is in the eastern part of the county near St. Francois Co. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
[3]
Caledonia
Caledonia, twelve miles south of Potosi ... had its origin in a blacksmith shop and whiskey distillery built near the Big Spring. Thomas Sloan fitted up the former and Fergus Sloan and Joshua Morrison the latter ... Alexander Craighead put up the first store as early or perhaps earlier than 1817. His store was a double log-cabin one end being used as a dwelling ... When Caledonia was platted in 1819, and the lots offered for sale, it was announced that he who bid the highest and became purchaser of the first lot should have the honor of naming the town. Alexander Craighead was the purchaser and named the place after Caledonia, in Scotland. (--Hist. of Washington Co., pp. 522, 523.)
It contained a college erected by private subscription, a tannery, a large grist and saw mill, a wagon and carriage factory, four stores and two churches -- Methodist and Presbyterian. Population about 300 (1874). (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 634.)
It is in the southeast corner of the county, 8 miles southwest of Irondale, near Iron County line. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
It is located at Sec. 11 & 12, Twp. 35 N, R. 2 E, at the junction of Highways 21 & 32.
Cannon Mines
Cannon Mines is located at Sec. 33, Twp. 38 N, R. 3 E, north of Belle Fontaine, on Highway E.
Mail via Cadet. (--Rand, McNally.)
Cicero
Cicero was near the western part of the county. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
Courtois
It is in the southwest corner of the county, in Sec. 8, Twp. 35 N, R. 1 W, on Highway C east of Crawford County line.
Cruise
Cruise was in the northeastern section of the county, near Jefferson County line. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
It was located in Sec. 23, Twp. 39 N, R. 2 E, on an unmarked county road west of Kingston.
Delbridge
It is located at Sec. 36, Twp. 36 N, R. 1 W, on Highway C, in the northwest corner of the county.
Mail via Potosi. (--Rand, McNally.)
[4]
Fertile
Fertile is in the northeast corner of the county, at the edge of Washington State Park, and is located at Sec. 27, Twp. 39 N, R. 3 E, on an unmarked county road south of Highway 21.
Mail via Cadet. (--Rand, McNally.)
Floyd
Floyd was named in honor of Sergeant Charles Floyd of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. (--Eaton, p. 72.)
It was in the central part of the county, approximately 13 miles west of Potosi. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
Fourche a Renault
It was a post-office 8 miles northwest of Potosi. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 634.)
It was in the north central part of the county 9 1/2 miles north of Potosi. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
Harmony (Webster)
It was 15 miles southwest of Potosi, and was laid out in 1830 ... Population about 50. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 634.)
Hopewell
Hopewell five miles southeast of Mineral Point, was laid out in 1858, by Hon. John Evens. It consisted of the railroad depot, the general store of R. H. Evens, a post-office, one Union Church and three dwelling houses. (--History of Washington County, p. 534; Gazetteer of Mo., 634.)
It is in the southeast section of the county, north of Irondale. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
It is located at Sec. 33, Twp. 37 N, R. 3 E, on an unmarked county road between U & Highway 8.
It is a rural branch of Mineral Point. (--Rand, McNally.)
Hulsy
Hulsy was in the northwest corner of the county near Franklin County line. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
[5]
Hunter's Mill
It was in the northeastern section of the county, located at Sec. 24 & 25, Twp. 36 N, R. 3 E, on Highway 21 north of E.
Irondale elevation 800 feet
Irondale, nine miles southeast of Mineral Point, was laid out in 1858 by Hon. John Scott. It contained three general stores, kept, respectively by Felix Barron, Justice Bean, and W. E. Butler, a drug and grocery store by S. M. Donnell & Son, a hotel, three churches -- Catholic, Methodist Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal -- South, and a public school. Population about 350. (--Gazetteer of Mo., po. 634.)
It is located at Sec. 14, Twp. 36 N, R. 3 E, on Highways N & O.
It is in the southeast corner of the county near St. Francois Co. line. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
Ishmael
It was located at Sec. 29, Twp. 36 N, R. 1 W near Courtois Creek.
Kingston see Bliss
Kingston, near the Mineral Fork, in Kingston Township, is an old village, and consisted of the store of Robert H. Brown, a public school house and a grist mill. (--Hist. of Washington Co., p. 524.)
It was the headquarters of the St. Louis Lead Company. (--Gazetteer of Mo., po. 634.)
It is located at Sec. undetermined, Twp. 39 N, R. 3 E, on Highway 47 north of 21.
Latty
Latty was located at Sec. 29, Twp. 38 N, R. 2 E, on Highway 185 northwest of Potosi.
Lawson
Lawson was a post-office on the Mo. Pacific R. R. 7 miles northeast of Mineral Point. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 634.)
Levy
Levy was in the western section of the county, in Walton Township, northwest of Shirley. (--Map of Mo., 1894, Rand, McNally.)
[6]
Maryden
Maryden was located at Sec. 36, Twp. 36 N, R. 3 E, at the southeast edge of the county near St. Francois County on Highway U.
Mineral Point elevation 865 feet
Mineral Point is three and one-half miles east of Potosi and was laid out in 1858 by William Inks. It contained general stores kept by Mesplay & Daniels, A. J. Norwine, and J. F. Richardson; also a family grocery by John Wallace and a public school house. (--Hist. of Washington Co., p. 524; Gazetteer of Mo., p. 634.)
It is located possibly at Sec. 8, Twp. 37 N, R. 3 E, on an unmarked county road between U & A.
Murphy's Dig
It was located at Sec. 13, Twp. 20 N, R. 2 W. (--New Atlas of Mo., with the aid of Gen. Highway Map of Washington Co.)
Northcutt
Northcutt was located west of Richwoods. (--Map of Mo., Thos. D. Murphy.)
Oak Lake
Oak Lake was southeast of Mineral Point near Stoddard Co. line. (--Map of Mo., 1894, Rand, McNally.)
Old Mines
Old Mines is an old village established in a very early day on the Old Mines concession. It contained the lead furnaces of the Union Mining & Smelting Company and their store and a post-office, the lead furnaces of James D. Lemry, public school house, stores of Owen Campbell, John B. Ross, and Adrian Campbell and the store and post-office kept by C. B. Gray. The churches were Catholic and Baptist. (--Hist. of Washington Co., pp. 524, 525.)
The mines at this point were worked as early as 1726, under Renault, who acted as agent for "the company of the West." About 1804, it was settled under August and Basil Valle and other miners. 31 in number, to each of whom was given by Gov. De Lassus a lot of 320 arpents, altogether constituting what was known as "The Old Mines Concession." (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 634.)
It is in the eastern part of the county. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
It is located at Sec. undetermined, Twp. 38 N, R. 2 E, at the junction of Highways 21 & 47.
Mail via Cadet. (--Rand, McNally.)
[7]
Palmer (Webster)
It was fifteen miles southwest of Potosi, and was laid out in 1830, and was owned by Palmer Lead Company. It contained a store, blacksmith shop and post-office. (--Hist. of Washington Co., p. 525.)
It was in the southwest section of the county. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 525.)
It was located at Sec. 13, Twp. 36 N, R. 1 W at the end of Highway Z, west of C.
Peoria
Peoria was west of Belgrade. (--Map of Mo., Thos. D. Murphy.)
Pea Ridge
Pea Ridge is in the northwest corner of the county, in Johnson Twp., northwest of Anthonie's Mill, on the Mo. Pac. R. R. Mail via Cadet. (--Map of Mo., 1974, Rand, McNally.)
Potosi
On the 26th of February, 1814, a majority of the county seat commissioners met at the village of Mine-a-Breton, and, after having viewed the different sites proposed for the permanent seat of justice, selected a tract of land containing fifty acres immediately adjoining the village of Mine-a-Breton on the northwest, forty acres by John R. Jones, in consideration that a town and the county seat be established thereon ... This tract of land was then laid out by the commissioners into a town containing a public square and twenty-two other blocks of 147 lots in all, with appropriate streets and alleys, and named Potosi, and now the old village of Mine-a-Breton and the additions thereto, together with the additions to Potosi, all go under the latter name. (--Hist. of Washington Co., pp. 482, 483.)
Potosi was named from the Peruvian mining center. (--Eaton, p. 72.)
*Moses Austin was the father of Stephen Austin who settled and established the first American colony in Texas, and founded the City of Austin, the capital thereof. (--Hist. of Washington Co., p. 521.)
Potosi is located at several sections in Twp. 37 N, R. 2 E, at the intersection of Highways 155, F, 21, 8 & E.
[8]
Potosi (Cont)
The tract of land was accepted for county seat purposes at a meeting held in Mine-a-Breton, February 26, 1814. It was laid out in streets and alleys, and a public square reserved for county buildings ... On the 15th of October following a contract for the building of a court house was let to Nehemiah Cravens for the sum of $5,595, to be completed by December 1, 1815. At that time Potosi was ambitious to become the State capitol when Missouri should be admitted to the Union, and the building was designed with a view of being used for the State offices. The contractor found himself unable to fulfill the contract and his bondsmen finished rooms in the lower story of the building. The second story was never finished, and the half completed building remained in use until 1849 ... (--History of the Encyclopedia of Missouri, 1901, Conrad, Vol. 6, p. 388.)
Quaker
Quaker is in the southwest corner of the county, near Iron Co. line. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
It is located at Sec. 2, Twp. 36 N, R. 1 W, on Highway C.
Mail via Potosi. (--Rand, McNally.)
Racola
Racola is located at Sec. undetermined, Twp. 38 N, R. 2 E, on Highway 21 north of Old Mines.
Mail via Cadet. (--Rand, McNally.)
Richwoods
It is a village in the northeastern part of the county. It contained the stores of J. and M. M. Flynn, and E. C. Baugher, a post-office, two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop and a public school house. It is 16 miles northwest of Cadet. (--Hist. of Washington Co., po. 525; Gazetteer of Mo., p. 635.)
It is located at Sec. undetermined, Twp. 40 N, R. 2 E, on Highway H west of 47.
Rock Spring
It was a post-office 20 miles northwest of Potosi. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 635.)
Rock Spring is now listed as being in St. Francois Co. (--Rand, McNally.)
[9]
Shibboleth
Shibboleth, one and one-half miles northeast of Cadet, contained a large brick dwelling house and store room erected by John Smith T., (sic), who formerly resided there. It was a mining center and a store kept by the company operating the mines. (--Hist. of Washington Co., p. 525.)
It contained a large brick dwelling and one store erected in 1823. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 635.)
It is located at Sec. 16, Twp. 38 N, R. 3 E, on Highway E, north of 47.
Mail via Cadet. (--Rand, McNally.)
Shirley
Shirley is located in the central portion of the county, at Sec. 20, Twp. 37 N, R. 1 E, at the junction of Highways 8 & AA.
Mail via Potosi. (--Rand, McNally.)
Springfield
Springfield was a post-office in 1842. (--U. S. Postal Guide.) Location is unknown.
Summitt
Summitt is between Mineral Point and Hopedale on the Mo. Pac. R. R. (--Map of Mo., 1894, Rand, McNally.)
Mail via Mineral Point. (--Rand McNally.)
Sunlight
Sunlight was located at Sec. 35, Twp. 36 N, & Sec. 2, Twp. 35 N, R. 1 E, on an unmarked county road west of Belgrade.
Taft
Taft is in the northeast corner of the county, on Mo. Pac. R. R., northeast of Cadet. (--Map of Mo., 1974, Rand, McNally.)
Troutt
It was named in honor of W. R. Troutt, postmaster. (--Eaton, p. 72.)
It was located at Sec. 11, Twp. 38 N, R. 1 E, on an unmarked county road, north of 155, northwest of Latty.
[10]
Undine
Undine contained a saw mill and shingle mill. It is in the western part of the county half way between Iron and Franklin Counties, near Crawford Co. line, 6 miles west of Floyd. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 535.)
Mail via Potosi. (--Rand, McNally.)
Walton Mills
Walton Mills was a post-office 9 miles west of Potosi. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 635.)
Webster
See Harmony.