Guide to Registered Historic Sites
in Greene County, Mo.
Written by
David L. Burton
Alphabetical listing of most registered historic sites in rural Greene County, Mo.
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What is Greene County's Historical Site Register?
The Greene County Historical Site Register was developed to
recognize historic places and those who contributed to our country's heritage.
These properties -- whether districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects
-- are architecturally or archeologically significant or historically
significant for their associations with important persons or events in Greene
County.
Greene County's Historical Site Register is designed to include
properties of importance in every locality. A general store, a community's
park, a main street, or the remains of a prehistoric Indian village may be just
as eligible for inclusion on Greene County's Historical Site Register as Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.
Having a site on the historical
register is a mark of distinction. Historical designation confers no protection
for the structure and there are no county ordinances limiting the owner’s
ability to use it.
To be listed in the Greene County Historical Site Register,
properties must generally be at least fifty years old and retain their historic
character. A property must also have integrity of location, design, setting,
materials, workmanship, feeling and association. This means if a property has
been dramatically altered, or its setting has been lost, it is probably not
eligible. For more information about the Greene County Historic Sites Board you may call the County Commission office at 417-868-4112
List of known historic sites in Greene County, Mo.:
Alms Cemetery and Alms House
The Almshouse Cemetery is notable for its original modesty. The majority of the headstones were hand-made of concrete by the residents of the Almshouse. The Cemetery is not large by some standards, but many bodies are believed to be buried there which may have never had markers (estimates are as high as 1,000). The cemetery was literally abandoned when the last Almshouse known as “Sunshine Acres” discontinued operation. The buildings were demolished and the property was turned into a pasture. There is a large marble Historic Marker (placed at the site in 1979) which stands near the Northwest corner of the cemetery. The Almshouse Cemetery, although ostensibly barren of names and dates, actually may ultimately provide a wealth of information about the people of Springfield and Greene County, their attitudes concerning the poor, the mentally disturbed, the abandoned and the individuals not otherwise entitled to a more distinguished place in society. As information surfaces about this cemetery, insight into the lives and culture of the people of Greene County in the period from 1930 through 1970 is revealed. The lives of Greene Counties’ rich and the influential are well documented. This site is special for its potential to tell the little-known stories of the other people of Greene County.
County registration date: Aug. 21, 2000.
Boegel and Hine Flour Mill
Boegel and Hine Flour Mill, or Wommack Mill, located on Main Street in Fair Grove. The mill was built in 1883 and operated continuously until 1969. This mill is the oldest standing commercial structure in Fair Grove. The three-story oak frame structure is situated near a stream, however, it was never water powered. It was steam powered until the late 1920s. The mill is owned by the Fair Grove Historical and Preservation Society.
County registration date: April 27, 1987.
Bois D'Arc School
County registration date: Sept. 28, 1998.
Nathan Boone homestead
One of the best
known sites in Greene County is the Nathan
Boone homestead located two miles north of Ash Grove on Hwy. V. This 1-1/2 story home of the famous son
of Daniel Boone is believed to be the oldest and best-preserved walnut log
cabin west of the Mississippi River. The home was constructed in 1837 and has
been uninhabited since the 1950s. The cabin and 300 acres surrounding the home
has been purchased by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for eventual
development as a State Historic Site.
County
registration date: Dec. 1, 1980.
Cave Springs Community Church
The Mt. Zion
Presbyterian Church, now Cave Springs Community Church, is located at Hwy. AC and Farm Road 87 in Cave Springs, Mo.
This is a building with interesting architectural features, like a
second floor sanctuary, and important connections to the early history of
Greene County. Built in 1867, the building marks the site of an earlier log
chapel and still earlier brush arbor, where one of the earliest churches in
Greene County was organized in October of 1839. The present large two-story
white frame structure with a bell tower had long served as a church, a school
and a community meeting place.
County registration date: April 13, 1981.
Crystal Cave
The first commercial listing (and one of
only two) on the county register is Crystal
Cave, located five miles north of Springfield on Hwy. H. Crystal Cave
has been open continuously to the public as a commercial cavern since 1893.
Crystal Cave served as a model for many subsequent commercial cavern operations
in southwest Missouri. The first owner was the English-born Alfred Mann, who
grew celery and mushrooms in the cave. Human skeletal remains and other tools
and debris dating back to 1,000-1200 A.D. have been found in this cave.
County registration date: Oct. 19, 1992.
Chandler House
The Chandler House, located northwest of Hwy. AA and Hwy. 65, at the
end of Farm Road 74, was built in 1871. The house is one of the few remaining
double pen, mirror (two front doors) designs left in Greene County. It is a
2-1/2 story frame house with two side porches and a wraparound covered porch.
Its development represents an exemplary vernacular “Victorian" farmhouse
of Greene County. Although the house has been extended and slightly remodeled
in the rear, the integrity of the 1880s appearance remains undiminished.
County registration date: January 18,
1994.
Elijah Teague Anderson House
Elijah Teague
Anderson house is located at 406 North Pine in Republic, Mo. The Anderson House is a significant
example of Victorian architecture style. Recently restored by its current
owners, it is in unusually good condition. The house was built in 1885 by
Elijah Teague Anderson, a merchant and prominent citizen of Republic. He and
his son, William P. Anderson, were active in many civic projects, including the
donation of land and money to start Republic's first high school.
County registration date: Dec. 1, 1980.
Flint Hill School
Flint Hill School, District #29. Located
on the northwest corner of Farm Roads 123 and 54. A school was erected down the
road, west of the present school, in 1857. It was called Nebo. Records show the
school operated until 1878. No records are available from 1880 to 1902.
Students recall Nebo was School District #2. Flint Hill School was built in
1902 to replace Nebo. Consolidated with Willard in 1923. Basement was added in
1940 so teacher would have a place to park her car. Reorganized by vote on
March 11, 1948 to be included as part of Willard R-II. School was sold in 1949
to Ike Hill. Flint Hill Extension Club (founded in 1934 as a Busy Bee Club)
purchased the building Oct. 6, 1958 and now uses the building as a meeting
place.
County registration date: September 4,
1998.
Frame-Bouling House
The Frame-Bouling House, located on Hwy. T, west of Bois D'Arc, was
built in 1869 with handmade bricks. Samuel Parker Frame and his family moved
from Indiana to Greene County in 1869. He was a farmer, merchandiser and lumber
dealer. Mr. Frame purchased 500 acres on which he built a two-story brick
Italianate style house. The house is an excellent example of a popular style
house built by well-to-do Greene County farmers after the Civil War.
County registration date: Oct. 19, 1992.
Gilmore Octagonal Barn
The Gilmore Octagonal Barn, located 3.5 miles east of Ash Grove on
Hwy. 160, was built in 1880 and is probably the earliest polygonal or round
barn in Missouri. It is the largest known barn of its type in the state and is
the only one with full stone wall construction. It exhibits superb design and
workmanship, and is exceptionally well preserved.
County registration date: May 1, 1995.
Glidewell School
Glidewell School, District #42. Located
east of Farm Road 141 on Farm Road 76 by 0.3 miles. Present structure was built
in 1948. The brick structure was built as a replacement. Harry S. Truman
visited the Glidewell School in 1958. First brick building was two rooms; two
more rooms were added in the 1960s. Land plat shows this portion of land has
always been a school. Identified as a two-room school in 1930. Mullins was
built in the 1890s east of the present Glidewell near a wet weather spring. It
was a one-room structure. Between 1900 and 1910 it was moved to the site now
occupied and another room was added. Name was changed in 1916. Consolidated
with Willard in 1923. Glidewell was closed in 1982. Reorganized in the 1950s to
be included as part of Willard R-II. Presently, the building is a private
residence.
County registration date: September 10,
1998.
Greene County Courthouse
The Greene County Courthouse near downtown Springfield, Mo. is a
building of major significance, both historically and architecturally. It is
the fifth building to serve as the center of government since the organization
of the county in 1833. The courthouse was completed in 1912 and provided
quarters from 1912 to 1938 for the City of Springfield, as well as Greene
County. The architectural style is modern classical; the exterior is covered
with Phenix stone all quarried and cut in Greene County. It was the first
building designated as a Greene County Historic Site.
County registration date: Feb. 25, 1980.
Haseltine-Dreyfus-H'Doubler House
The Haseltine-Dreyfus-H'Doubler House, which is south of College
Street on Haseltine Road west of Springfield, Mo., was built in 1897. It took
three years to build the structure of stone mined and cut on the Haseltine
property and laid by the workers of Haseltine's apple orchard. The style is
very unique consisting of massive stones set at random angles in the columns
and on all sides of the house, with a turret of three stories, four fireplace
stacks, three gables, an indoor pool and an observatory. The entire Haseltine
Orchard area--including two apple storage buildings that still partially
exist--is also under consideration for inclusion on the National Register of
Historical Places.
County registration date: October 14,
1986.
Haseltine Historic Area
The Haseltine Orchards were in the
general area of I-44, Rt. 266 and Haseltine Roads. Between 1870 and 1900 the
Haseltine family established and operated the largest apple orchard in the
area. This nomination represents the five historic dwellings of the Haseltines,
ranging from Queen Anne to vernacular, including the sue of local stone;
numerous and varied apple storage sheds (pictured above) and masonry water
towers. All of these structures were built between 1883 and 1940. This entire
area is under consideration for placement on the National Register of Historic
Places.
Hood Methodist Church
Hood Methodist
Church is located at 139
North Walnut in Republic. Following an 1881 revival held in Republic, a
Methodist congregation was established. The current sanctuary was built in
1891.
County registration date: Oct. 14, 1986.
Kelly Chapel School
Kelly Chapel, District #120. Located on
west side of the Farm Road 241 and 184 intersection. Rock
school was built in 1932 but only used for 10 years. Reorganized as part of
Logan-Rogersville School District R-VIII in 1957. Building is now used as a
home.
County registration date: July 12, 1999.
Locust Prairie School
Locust Prairie, District #36. Located at
8840 Farm Road 56. School
was organized Dec. 3, 1853 and current building was constructed at turn-of-the
century. First teacher (1853) received annual pay of $22.78. By 1854, salary
increased to $49.50. In 1855, school year ran from July 3, 1855 to Nov. 9,
1855. No school records from 1861 to 1864 and school was canceled in 1865 due
to a "lack of funds." By 1867, there were 88 pupils attending the
school and the teacher was paid $35 a month for four months of school. In 1868
classes were canceled due to a lack of funds. Building has original school
desks and fixtures. Reorganized as part of the Strafford School District in the 1950s, the building is
now used as a community center.
County registration date: February 10,
1998.
Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church
Mt. Pisgah
Methodist Church is located
six miles east of Springfield on Catalpa (Farm Road 144) near Pierson Creek.
Early settlers used Mt. Pisgah Campgrounds, site of the church. It is reported
that the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church was organized
on the grounds in 1844. The current congregation was organized in 1854 and the
current structure was built in 1888 and still serves as a church.. The first
two buildings were destroyed by fire, the first building in 1865 and the second
in 1887. This area also served as a stop for soldiers during the Civil War and
is referenced in one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s frontier books.
County
registration date: Oct.14, 1986.
Mt. Pleasant School
Mt. Pleasant School, District #117. Located
off Hwy. 65, west on Evans Road, south on Farm Road 175 at 6163 S. Farm Road
175. Organized and built in 1881, Mt. Pleasant operated until 1953. Older
photos show the school had three windows on both sides. Windows were later
moved to left side and a window was added near the entrance. Original school
had a bell tower. After being moved, building had an exit door added.
Reorganized as Kickapoo R-VII in 1951. Reorganized again in 1954 as part of
Springfield R-XII. Building empty sits behind a home built on site of school.
County registration date: July 12 1998.
Murray Cemetery
The first of two cemeteries on Greene
County’s historical sites register is the Murray Cemetery, located one-half mile west of Farm Road 88 and
Hwy AB near Willard, Mo. Established on or about 1845, Murray Cemetery served
as a major burying place for Confederate dead after the Battle of Wilson's
Creek. It contains more Confederate graves than any private cemetery in the
county.
County registration date: Nov. 28, 1983.
David Murray Homestead
The David Murray Homestead located north and east of Farm Road 88 and
Hwy 13, was added to the register in 1988. The property was settled by David
Murray in 1867 and has been held continuously in the family from that date to
the present. The Italianate Vernacular style home was built in 1870.
County registration date: Nov. 7, 1988.
North Star School
North Star, District #69. Located at the
corner of Madison and Olive in Strafford, Mo. Original site was south of
Strafford on Hwy. YY, east of Hwy. 125. Building was moved to Strafford Sept.
8, 1952, south of the railroad to be used as a club for the Women’s Progressive
Farming Association (WPFA). Building is currently being used as a community
building.
County registration date: August 4, 1998.
Phenix
Marble Quarry
Between 1888 and the mid-1930's Phenix Quarry was a producer first of lime masonry mortar, then of high-quality finished building stone. Production methods for both products exemplified technologies of those industries of the period. Estimates of the work force employed at the quarry range between 250 and 400 during the 1920's peak production period. Wages were high for rural laborers, with favorable economic consequences for nearby Ash Grove and Walnut Grove, as well of course for laborers and their families. Also, the employing firm built a company town, Phenix, across the railroad tracks east of the quarry, where wages were expended for food and other necessary and luxury goods. Phenix was a company town probably unique in Greene County. It possessed cultural and social amenities little known or even imagined in other rural areas of the county at the time: a library, an orchestra, movies, an organized social program for children, youth, adults; and a church with full-time professional minister. The quarry is now used for crushed stone, one of the old marble pits remains as well as a few buildings and lime kilns, but the town itself has disappeared.
County registration date: October 2000.
W.C.
Potter Home
The farm of W.C. Potter ranks with the
best in the county in every respect. According to the Fairbanks and Tuck county
history book, Potter "has an attractive, substantial two-story stone
residence, modern in its appointments and elegantly furnished, a place where he
can spend the twilight of his year" in comfort and happiness. He has a
large number of convenient and well-arranged out-buildings, in fact, everything
about his place denotes thrift and prosperity. He built his handsome residence
in 1888 of stone quarried from his own lands. This home is known to the many
friends of the family as a place of old-fashioned hospitality and good cheer.
Mr. Potter has been president of the Bank of Fair Grove, near which village his
farm lies, since its organization in 1905, and its pronounced success has been
due for the most part to his conservative, honest and able management."
The home, located north of Fair Grove on Farm Road 221, remains among the most
unique in the county.
County registration date: 1988.
Schuyler School
Schuyler School, District #60. Located at
the northeast corner of Farm Roads 125 and 94. Original one-room structure was
built in 1905 and had an entrance where the large windows are now. Consolidated
with Willard in 1923. Added a second room in mid-1940s. Reorganized in 1950s to
be included as part of Willard R-II. Sold by Willard schools in 1983.
Willey School
Willey, District #27. Located on the
southeast corner of Farm Road 44 and Hwy. Z.
Building
was built in 1894. Charles and Luther Willey, for whom the school was named,
donated two aces of land July 20, 1893. They operated a steam-powered mill in
Willard. A1929 survey says building has a stove in the floor but “lighting is
all wrong,” and “seats need to face the west.” Superintendent noted “teacher
reads the Bible as an opening exercise.” Original building had windows on the
north side but those were moved to the east side prior to 1920 and then moved
again, this time to the south side, the students left if they faced west.
Willey did not hold classes during World War II because there were so few
students. School terms were 8-months long. In the 1930s a hot lunch program was
added and the teacher used a kerosene stove to make soup. Consolidated with
Willard in 1923. Closed in 1943. Reorganized with Willard R-II as part of
state-mandated reorganization in 1952. Building is now used for storage.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
Perhaps the best known historical site in
our county is Wilson's Creek National
Battlefield, located southwest of the city of Battlefield on Farm Road 182.
A battle, considered by many historians to be the most important Civil War
battle west of the Mississippi, was fought on this site Aug. 10, 1861. The
United States Congress recognized this fact by establishing a National Park on
the 1,200-acre site.
County registration date: Feb. 25, 1980.
Whinrey-Likens
Mill
This mill is situated along Farm
Road 35 on the south side of Sac River, about 3.2 miles west and 1.55 miles
south of Bois D'Arc. Whinrey, as it is popularly called, is the last standing
water mill in Greene County. It was originally built in the 1860s but was then
moved and rebuilt on the current site in the 1870s. This mill represents a
major commercial endeavor in this portion of the county. It functioned --
grinding feed and various flours in addition to some lumber -- until the 1930s.
The existing building has a strong exterior by the roof and much of the inside
has collapsed. The mill race, remains of two dams and the remains of a
bunkhouse still exist nearby.
Prospect Baptist Church
Normally churches and cemeteries are not
listed on historical registers. However, there are a few exceptions in Greene
County. One of those is the Prospect
Baptist Church located at the corner of Farm Roads 128 and 45. Prospect
Baptist Church and cemetery in western Greene County were located on the site
of one of the early pioneer churches organized in 1840. According to local
tradition, a Union Army encampment called Camp Prospect was located at this
site in 1861. The church building was destroyed by fire in the late 1990s.
Pearson
Creek Archeological District
This archeological district was placed on
the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It actually includes 20
archeological sites in the area east of Springfield near Mt. Pisgah. Sites
involved in this district include: Henry Schoolcraft's camp and marker; Phelp's
Diggs, the so-called Pearson Creek Mines (Gem Mines, Suffolk and Eversal
Shafts, Daisy Mine, Lewis and Benz Mines, Meyers Mine, Wolverine and O'Day
mines and the Nathalie and Kodak mines) and the Kershner and Simpson
Cemeteries.
Union
Campground
This site is 500 ft north of Valley Water
Mill Road at the northeast corner of U.S. Highway 65 and Valley Water Mill
Road. In 1840, trustees of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church purchased 39.6
acres of land at this site for the purpose of conducting camp meetings. Several
religious groups used the site together, hence the title of "Union"
campground. By 1861, they had also built a church, which later burned. By 1866,
trustees sold all but three of the 39.6 acres. The remaining acreage held the
present graveyard, in which some 200 people were buried by the mid-1920s. The
burial occurred in 1840, making this one of the county’s oldest cemeteries. The
cemetery is racially integrated (an uncommon practice at this time) and at
least two Federal troops were buried here during the Civil War (the site is
close to the Old Wire Road).
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