Ghost Town USA’s

Guide to the Ghost Towns of

FRANKLIN COUNTY

MISSOURI

 

Franklin County is located in the east-central part of the state, on the south side of the

Missouri River just west of St. Louis.  The county seat is Union.

 

Do you have Gary’s book:

Dust in the Wind

A Guide to American Ghost Towns?

 

***

VISIT

Ghost Town USA’s SITE MAP

 

***

Return to

Ghost Town USA’s Missouri Index

 

***

Return to

Ghost Town USA’s

State Listings

 

***

Visit

Ghost Town USA’s

Ghost Town of the Month

 

 ***

 

Visit

Ghost Town USA’s Home Page

 

***

 

Visit

Ghost Town USA’s Photo Gallery

 

 ***

 

Send E-mail to Ghost Town USA

INTRODUCTION

 

Unless noted otherwise, information on this web page is from original research by Gary B. Speck.  However, much information in these ghost town listings is quoted from postings to the Rootsweb Missouri Ghost Town discussion forum (MO-GT), and that information is indicated as follows.  Specific information and/or personal comments will be appropriately credited with either names or initials, like (MF) {Mike Flannigan}, or (GBS) {Me}. In some cases, I didn’t save the name, so those will be indicated as MO-GT. 

 

If you know of any Missouri ghost town location not listed on these pages, please contact the MO-GT discussion forum, if you are a member.  If you are not a member, please contact me and I’ll pass on the information to the group.  If you are interested in Missouri ghost towns and would like to join the group, let me know and I’ll tell you how to join the forum. 

 

Please note that some minor editing for editorial consistency and spelling WAS made, as well as spelling out of directions (N, SE, NNW, etc), and numbers less than ten.

 

Highways are marked thus...

  • CR – County Roads
  • SH – State Highway
  • USUS Highway
  • IInterstate Highway

 

Locations marked with a $ indicate an admission fee is charged to visit the site.

Unless noted otherwise, all indicated population figures are from the 1990 census. 

GNIS stands for the US Geologic Survey’s Geographic Names Information System. 

 

Many of these listed locations may be just rural post offices, country churches, schools, forts, stage stations, crossroads stores, mills or river fords, rather than what we normally consider towns.  The reason for that is that many of these smaller locations had small communities grow up around the main business. 

 

Memories of the past glory of these one-time active communities still float like dust in the wind over Missouri’s hillsides and prairie.  The winds of time that created these ghosts reach deep into America's Heartland and those gentle zephyrs take those past memories and deposit them in front of you.  Reach out and grab them!  Without further ado, let’s visit some of Missouri’s many hundreds of ghost towns!

 

PLEASE NOTE: 

Where photos are indicated thusly (PHOTO!), please use your browser’s “BACK” button to return to this page.  More photos will be added over time.

 

THE GHOSTS

 

 

SITE NAME

 

POPULATION

1990

U.N.O.

 

DESCRIPTION & LOCATION

ACID

 

A switch on the Frisco Railroad in Meramec Township, that goes to the Ripley Mines.

This is probably Stanton, but may be just west of Stanton.  (MF)

ALBANY

0

A town located about one mile west of New Haven on the Missouri River.  Platted in 1855, abandoned by 1857.

APPLETON MINE

0

This early lead mine was located in Sec 5, T40N, R1W, Meramec Township.  Prior to 1888, it produced about 1000 tons of lead. It was part of what later became known as the Thomas Mines, a consolidation of a number of smaller mines.  (GBS)

ARGO

-

Listed in the 1888 Goodspeed’s History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties, Missouri as one of the “other towns and post offices in Franklin County.”  No other information available.  In GNIS, there is an Argo School listed and shown on the map in the far southwestern corner of the county about 1.5 miles from both the western and southern county lines.  Sec 2, T40N, R4W, Boone (?) Township.  (GBS)

AUGUSTA

-

…SEE Boles

AUGUSTA FERRY

 

Located across from Augusta in Boles Township.

This is probably the town of Boles.  (MF)

Boles had 30 people in 1990, and had a variant name of Augusta and Augusta Station.  (GBS)

AUGUSTA STATION

-

…SEE Boles

BALTIMORE

-

DEAD NAME – An early name for New Haven.  (GBS)

BASSORA

0

Bassora was originally laid out in 1836 along the Missouri River in Sec 23, T44N, R1W.  It had a “public landing” as well as surveyed streets and eventually a cemetery.  In 1839, Washington was established just to the west in Section 22, and eventually overgrew and absorbed the site of Bassora.  Bassora was located on the east side of Washington centered around the Fulton/3rd Street area, east of the SH 47 bridge over the river.  (GBS)

BAVARIA

 

A vanished town near South Point.  Platted on Sept 6, 1858.

This is just east of Washington.  (MF)

BECKERS LANDING

0

A boat landing in northeastern Boles Township.

This is probably near Labadie power plant.  (MF)

BEEMONT

-

Listed in the 1888 Goodspeed’s History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties, Missouri as one of the “other towns and post offices in Franklin County.”  No other information available.  It was on CR ZZ, a half mile east of the county line and about five miles north of Gerald, in the SW¼ Sec 10, T43N, R4W, Lyon Township.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.4806046, Long: -91.3593235

Lat: 38º28’50”N, Long: 091º21’34”W - elevation 640’

BEOUF CREEK

-

Listed in the 1888 Goodspeed’s History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties, Missouri as one of the “other towns and post offices in Franklin County.”  No other information available.  It was probably a misspelling of Boeuf Creek (SEE below)  (GBS)

BERGER SETTLEMENT

0

An early colony along the Missouri River. (GNIS)

Surely this is simply the existing town of Berger.  (MF)

Berger had 247 folks in 1990.  (GBS)

 

I am currently living in Berger. We have lived there for nine, years and you’re right, it is a ghost town. There are 247 or so people that live there. It is a shame that the city council has let the town go into such disarray. The flood of 1993 really hurt the town. It used to be thriving, having churches, bars (of course!), restaurants, a mortuary, beauty salon, grocery stores and much more. It is my understanding that this was a hopping town as early back as the 70's maybe even some of the '80's. The nearest town is 10 miles, which is where we have to go for food and school. The nearest WalMart and "big" town is 30 miles.  Unfortunately the town has succumbed to being a ghost town, and sometimes I wonder if it is not all of the "dead and stagnant" thinking of those that run the town!

 

Contributed by “B” Oct 06, 2005

BERGER STATION

-

DEAD NAME – Early name for Berger.  (GBS)

BIG BERGER POST OFFICE

0

This was a rural post office that was in operation 1874-1876.  It was located in northwestern Boeuf Township.  Exact location not determined.  (GBS)

BINSBACKER MINE

AKA Binsbacher Mine

0

This lead mine was discovered in 1888, and was located in Sec 36, T42N, R2W, Meramec Township.  (GBS)

BLISH MILL

0 (mill)

A flour mill in northeastern Boeuf Township.

This is now the town of New Haven.  (MF)

New Haven had 1757 people in 1990. It appears that this mill grew into what is now New Haven.  In 1874, the mill was one of the county’s 12 polling places.  (GBS)

BOEUF CREEK

 

…SEE Detmold

BOEUF SETTLEMENT

 

0

An early colony at the mouth of Boeuf Creek.  (GNIS)

Not a trace of this left due to Missouri River flooding.  (MF)

The mouth of Boeuf Creek is just northwest of Dundee (see) and the GPS coordinates are at:  (GBS)

Lat: 38.6000498, Long: -91.1484827

Lat: 38º36’00”N, Long: 091º08’55”W

BOLES

30

21 (1880)

Listed in the 1888 Goodspeed’s History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties, Missouri as one of the “other towns and post offices in Franklin County.”  No other information available.  Located in the northeast corner of the county along Dunn Spring Creek and the Missouri Pacific Railroad, just south of the Missouri River, about four AIR miles west of Labadie in the SW ¼ Sec 27, T44N, R1E, Boles Township.  In 1880, the population was 21.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.5308857, Long: -90.8901376

Lat: 38º31’51”N, Long: 090º53’24”W - elevation 489’

BOONE COPPER MINE

0

When this mine began production it produced copper, but later switched to iron.  It was still active in 1888, and was located ion the southern part of Boone Township (T42N, R3 or 4W).  (GBS)

BOOTH BANK MINE

0

This iron mine was located 2.5 miles from Dry Branch in Sec 27, T41N, R1W, Central Township.  It opened in 1882, and by 1888 had mined 2000 tons of red hematite (iron) ore.  (GBS)

CALVEY

0

Listed in the 1888 Goodspeed’s History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties, Missouri as one of the “other towns and post offices in Franklin County.”  No other information available.  On the GNIS map, Calvey is shown ten AIR miles due east of St. Clair, east of CR N, about two miles from the eastern county line, and about three miles north of SH 30.  Sec 27, TN, RE, Calvey Township.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.3475526, Long: -90.7962437

Lat: 382051N, Long: 0904746W - elevation 653’

CALVEY STATION

-

DEAD NAME – Early name for Robertsville.  (GBS)

CAMBELLTON

 

…SEE Campbellton

CAMP FRANKLIN

0

A Civil War camp at Gray Summit. (GNIS)

I think this may be at the town of Pacific, which is three miles east of Gray Summit.  (MF)

CAMP HERRON

0

An important Civil War military center at Pacific. (GNIS)

CAMPBELLTON

AKACambellton, Campbelltown

30

On SH 185, 0.2 miles northeast of the junction with CR KK, about 2.2 miles northeast of Lyon, six AIR miles southeast of New Haven and eight AIR miles west of Washington, in NW¼ Sec 28, T44N, R2W, Lyon Township,  (GBS)

Lat: 38.5400505, Long: -91.1607056

Lat: 38º32’24”N, Long: 091º09’39”W - elevation 774’

CAMPBELLTOWN

 

…SEE Campbellton

CAS(E)WELL MINE

0

This lead mine was located in Sec 3, T40N, and Sec 34, T41N, R1E, Prairie Township.  It and the Mt. Hope and Cove mines were near each other, and the three of them together had produced 15,000 tons of galena by 1888.  GNIS calls it the CASEWELL Mine. (GBS)

CEDAR BLUFFS

 

A resort in southwestern Boles Township on the Meramec

River.

I’m guessing this is somewhere near Good Cemetery.  (MF)

CEDAR CREST

 

A resort near St Clair.

CLARK & APPLETON MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

CLEVES MILL

 

This old mill is located in central St Johns Township.  In 1874, it was one of the county’s 12 polling places.  (GBS)

COE MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

COOPERS BOTTOM

0

According to the 1888 Goodspeed’s History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties, Missouri, this pioneering settlement was established in 1810. (GBS)

COVE MINE

0

This lead mine was located in Sec 34, T42N, R1E, Calvey Township.  It and the Mt. Hope and Caswell mines were near each other, and the three of them together had produced 15,000 tons of galena by 1888.  (GBS)

DARBY MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

DEAD MANS FORD

 

A crossing on the Meramec between the northeastern part of Boles Township and northwestern Calvey Township, between Catswissa and Pacific.

Appears to be by Prater.  (MF)

DETMOLD

AKABoeuf Creek

30

This is NOT the same place as BOEUF SETTLEMENT.  This tiny community is located in the northwest corner of the county along Boeuf Creek, on CR Y, about two miles north of its junction with CR YY, six AIR miles southwest of New Haven. It is in the SW¼ Sec 20, T44N, R3W, Boeuf Township.  The population in 1880 was 10.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.5428271, Long: -91.2904331

Lat: 38º32’34”N, Long: 091º17’26”W

DRAKE

 

This was probably near Arrowhead Lake.  (MF)

DRY BRANCH

70 (1880)

Located in the south-central part of the county, but the exact map location is not determined.

DUBOIS SETTLEMENT

0

This was an early settlement located at or near the confluence of Dubois Creek and the Missouri River.  That would place it on the east side of Washington, in Sec. 30 (?), T44N, R1E, St. Johns Township, at an elevation of about 492’. (GBS)

The mouth of Dubois Creek is at:

Lat: 38.5397742, Long: -90.9556964

Lat: 38º3223N, Long: 090º5721W 

DUEMLER

 

Duemler was also a ghost town and was located in the Lonedell area. (Dave McKinney, 01/27/2003)

DUNDEE

30

This may well possibly be the current name for Newport, which was the original county seat for Franklin County (1818-1830).  It appears that the name Newport/New Port was changed to Dundee, as GNIS lists Newport and New Port as variant names for Dundee.  Dundee is located on Dundee Road, along Little Bouef Creek, a quarter mile south of the south bank of the Missouri River, a quarter mile north of SH 100, five miles east of New Haven and seven miles northwest of Washington.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.5933835, Long: -91.1245927

Lat: 38º35’36”N, Long: 091º07’29”W

ELLETT MINE

0

This small lead mine was located five miles west of St. Clair in Sec 6, T41N, R1W, Central Township.  It, as well as the Patton Mine and Hamilton Mine, all had a combined output of 1500 tons of galena prior to 1888.  The exact location is not determined.  (GBS)

ENLOE MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

ENLOE SETTLEMENT

 

An early colony in the southwest part of the county.  Exact location not determined.

ENTERPRISE MINE

-

…SEE Skinner Mine

ETLAH

Rural

This rural community sits on Big Berger Creek and CR B where it crosses the railroad, four miles southeast of Berger and four miles northwest of New Haven, in the northwestern point of the county.  It is in the NE¼ Sec 20, NW¼ Sec 21, T45N, R3W, Boeuf Township. A cemetery is on the west side of the community.  It was established in 1874, and in 1888, there were 100 folks in what was described in Goodspeed as “a flourishing town.” (GBS)

Lat: 38.6392145, Long: -91.2765443

Lat: 383821N, Long: 0911636W - elevation 528’

EVANS MINE

0

This lead mine was located in Sec 33, T42N, R1E, Calvey Township. Exact location not determined. It was 80’ deep, and was not in operation in 1888.  (GBS)

FAIRVIEW

 

A resort near Sullivan.  Platted in 1925.

FLINT HILL

-

…SEE Roedderville

FORT SAN JUAN DEL MISURI

0

This was a small, log-walled, late 1700s era Spanish fort located on or near St. John’s Creek.  Exact location is not determined.  (GBS)

FRANKLIN

-

DEAD NAME – original name for Pacific City when it was established in 1852. When Pacific City was incorporated in 1859, the name was changed.  (GBS)

FRAY

 

A railroad siding east of New Haven and west of Kent.

I think I’ve got this located.  (MF)

FRISCO HEIGHTS

-

…SEE Meramec Hills

GALLAGHER MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

GALLAHERS MILLS

 

Located in northwestern Central Township. Built in 1835.

I think this was a happening place at one time, but I can’t locate it.  It’s probably close to Union, maybe southwest of Union.  (MF)

GALLIGHER FURNACE

 

Located in Central Township.

Probably just another name for Gallahers Mills.  (MF)

GILES MINE

0

This lead mine was located in Secs 32 & 33, T41N, R1E, Prairie Township.  In 1888 it had reached a depth of 40’.  Exact location not determined.  (GBS)

GLENCOE

0

An early milling center in western Central Township on Hamilton Creek.  (GNIS)

It is mentioned briefly in the 1888 Goodspeed’s History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties, Missouri.  T42N, R1E, Central Township. (GBS)

GOLCONDA MINE

0

This lead mine was located in the northwestern part of Union Township, T43N, R1E and in 1888 had reached a depth of 150’.  However it was not operating at that time.  A second Golconda Mine was listed in the county by GNIS in Boles Township.  (GBS) 

GOODE MILL

AKA Goodes Mill

 

A flour mill in Union Township, on the Bourbeuse River.

This was probably southwest or south of Union.  (MF)

GOODES MILL

-

…SEE Goode Mill

GOPHER MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

GRAYS GAP

-

DEAD NAME – Early name for Gray Summit.  (GBS)

GRISWOLD CITY

 

Located in the northern part of Boeuf Township on the Missouri River.  A town platted in 1836 on land owned by F.Griswold. This town was an early rival of New Haven.

GRUBE

AKA Grubes Store

 

An early voting place in Lyon Township.

Exact location not determined. (GBS)

GRUBES STORE

-

…SEE Grube

HALLIGAN MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

HARRINGTON MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

HAMILTON MILL

0

This flouring/grist mill was located along Hamilton Creek near Glencoe. It was owned and operated by Ninian Hamilton. It is mentioned briefly in the 1888 Goodspeed’s History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties, Missouri.  Sec 23 - Sec 11, T42N, R1E, Central Township. (GBS)

HAMILTON MINE

AKA – Tam Mine,

Tamm Mine

0

This small lead mine was located five miles west of St. Clair along the Bourbeause River, in Sec 31, T42N, R1W.  It, as well as the Ellett Mine and Patton Mine, all had a combined output of 1500 tons of galena prior to 1888.  The exact location is not determined.  (GBS)

HARDESTY MINE

-

SEE Peninsula Mine

HEMKER

50 (1880)

Location not determined.

HIGHLAND MINING COMPANY MINE

0

This lead mine was located northwest of St. Clair, in Sec 21, T42N, R1W, on the line between Central & Union Townships.  (GBS)

ILLMO MINE

-

…SEE Shotwell Mine

JACK MINE

0

This small lead mine was located in Sec 24, T42N, R2W, Union Township. Exact location not determined. It produced 50 tons of galena prior to 1888.  (GBS)

JAPAN

50

This old town is located in the southwest corner of the county, at the junction of CR H/J/AE, about eight miles west-northwest of Sullivan, NW¼ Sec 6, T40N, R3W, Boone Township.  This was one of the county’s 12 polling places in 1874.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.2392150, Long: -91.3059819

Lat: 38º14’21”N, Long: 091º18’22”W - elevation 912’

JEFFRIES MINE

0

This small lead mine was located in Sec 21, T41N, R1E. Exact location not determined. It reached a depth of 50’ by 1888.  (GBS)

JUDAH SPRING MINE

AKAJudith Spring Mine

0

This iron mine was located near Stanton in Sec 19, T41N, R1W.  In 1888 production increased from 50 to 100 tons per day.  (GBS)

JUDITH SPRING MINE

-

…SEE Judah Spring Mine

KELSO

 

A siding on the Frisco Railroad 58.8 mi from St Louis.

I’m guessing this is just west of Anaconda.  (MF)

KEMPERS MILL

 

Located on Big Berger Creek in northern Boeuf Township.

KNUCKLES MINE

0

This small lead mine was not operating in 1888, and was only 25’ deep.  It was located in Sec 28, T41N, R1E, Prairie Township.  (GBS)

KURLBAUMS LANDING

 

AKA Kurlsaum Landing.

 

Located on the Missouri River, near the mouth of Ridenhour Creek.

Wish I knew where Ridenhour Creek was.  I suspect this town was near St. Albans or Oetters.  (MF)

KURLSAUM LANDING

-

…SEE Kurlsbaum Landing

LABADDIE SETTLEMENT

0

This early settlement was on the Labadie Bottoms along the south bank of the Missouri River, near the confluence of Labaddie Creek/Missouri River.  That would place it in the vicinity of the Labadie Power Plant, which is located about 2.5 miles north of the current town of Labadie (1990 pop – 370).  The mouth of the creek is in Sec 18, T44N, R2W, Boles Township, at an elevation of about 475’.  The area has levees and the power plant, so there is probably nothing left of the original site.  (GBS)

The mouth of Labadie Creek is at:

Lat: 38.5628303, Long: -90.8443016

Lat: 38º33’46”N, Long: 090º50’39”W

LONGVIEW

 

A resort near St Clair.

I wonder if this was near Piney Bluff School?  (MF)

LUEBBERING

70

This tiny town is located on CR FF, about three miles south of Lonedell and ten AIR miles southeast of St. Clair.  It is in the SE¼, Sec 20, T41N, R2E, Prairie Township at an elevation of 768’.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.2703301, Long: -90.8192998

Lat: 38º16’13”N, Long: 090º49’09”W

MACKIE

-

…SEE Meramec Hills

MAUNES STORE

65 (1880)

A store in Boone Township 0.5 miles south of Japan.

MERAMEC HILLS

AKA Frisco Heights, Mackie, Morley, & Shewell.

 

Located on the railroad between Robertsville and Moselle.

I found this one just southwest of Robertsville.  (MF)

MEYERS STORE

25 (1880)

Location not determined.

MILL SPRING MILLS

 

Located in northwest Central Township on the Meramec River.

It would make more sense if this was located in northwest Central Township on the Boubeuse River.  (MF)

MILLERS BEND

MILLERS LANDING

MILLERS STATION

MILLERSBURG

-

DEAD NAMES – Early names for New Haven.  (GBS)

MORLEY

-

…SEE Meramec Hills

MOSELLE FURNACE

AKA Stellaville Furnace

 

This charcoal-powered iron furnace was located about three-quarters of a mile from the station at Moselle, in Sec 14, T42N, R1E.  It was built in 1849.  The ore was mined locally and at Benton Creek Bank in Crawford Co.  In 1850 the furnace began operation as a “cold-blast” process, and yielded five-six tons of pig iron a day.  It was then hauled by wagon to the Missouri River and shipped.  The furnace was sold in 1856 or 1857 and operated until 1859.  It reopened in 1866 at which time it was converted to a hot-blast process, the furnaces were remodeled and smokestacks were raised to 34’.  Production increased to 20-30 tons per day.  It closed in 1874.  (GBS)

MOUNT HELICON

-

DEAD NAME – Early name for Sullivan,  (GBS)

MOUNT HOPE

Rural

This rural community is located about seven miles southeast of St. Clair on SH 47, about 1.5 miles south of the junction with SH 30, at the SW corner of Sec 12 and the SE corner Sec 11, T41N, R1E, Prairie Township at an elevation of 703’.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.2983852, Long: -90.8737465

Lat: 38º17’54”N, Long: 090º52’25”W

MOUNT HOPE MINE

0

This lead mine was located in Sec 3 & 4, T41N, R1E and Sec 28, T42N, R1E.  It and the Caswell and Cove mines were near each other, and the three of them together had produced 15,000 tons of galena by 1888.  (GBS)

GNIS says there are two mines with the same name in the county.  Both are located near each other, as the descriptions cover the T & R numbers above.  Exact locations not given.  (GBS)

#1 – Located in northwestern Prairie Township on the Virginia lode.

#2 – Located in eastern Central Township. 

MOUNT VERNON

0

“The first ferry-boat in the vicinity of Washington was run across the Missouri River, about one mile above the present ferry landing at Mount Vernon, a town laid out before Washington (1839), but soon afterward abandoned.”  (1888 Goodspeed’s History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties, Missouri.)

Was this ferry based on the Franklin County side?  (GBS)

MT. HOPE MINE

-

…SEE Mount Hope Mine

NEW PORT

-

…SEE Newport

NEWPORT

AKA – New Port

-

This was the original county seat for Franklin County.  It was active 1818-1826 (GNIS states 1830), at which time the honors were shifted to Union, which remains the county seat.  It appears that the name was changed to Dundee, as GNIS lists Newport as one of the variant names for Dundee.  Dundee is a tiny town, and in 1990 only had 30 people. The first store in the county was established here, selling dry goods, groceries and hardware. It is not clear if this place evolved from Newport Settlement, or if they were separate communities.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.5933835, Long: -91.1245927 (Dundee – see above)

Lat: 38º35’36”N, Long: 091º07’29”W (Dundee – see above)

NEWPORT SETTLEMENT

0

It is not clear if this place evolved into the “town” of Newport, or if they were separate settlements. (GBS)

NEWPORT STATION

0

Location not determined.

NORTH VIRGINA MINE

0

This lead mine is located north of the Virginia Mines in Sec 9, T41N, R1E, and produced 5,000 tons of galena from a 260’ deep shaft.  (GBS)

NORTHUMBERLAND MINE

AKA – Ford Mine,

 Inge & Generally Mines

0

This lead mine is located in Sec 5, T41N and Sec 32, T42N, R1E, Central Twp, about 2.5 miles west of St. Clair.  It was 100’ deep and produced 500 tons of galena prior to 1888.  (GBS)

OAKFIELD

30 (1880)

This former village was located on SH 100, four miles north of Pacific in NE¼ Sec 26, T44N, R2E, Boles Township.  It was established in 1842 and by 1888 had faded.  It had a post office, general store, Evangelical Church, a gunsmith and a school  -  Oakfield Academy.  (GBS)

The school was located:

Lat: 38.5272753, Long: -90.7567976

Lat: 38º31’38”N, Long: 090º45’24”W

OTTEN MINE

0

This lead mine opened in late 1887 or early 1888, and was located in the southwestern bend of the Bourbeuse River in Sec 3, T42N, R1E, Boles Township.  (GBS)

PARK MINE

0

This copper mine was located in the southeastern corner of the county, in the southern part of Prairie Township (T40N, R1 or 2W), on the Franklin/Washington county line.  It was active in 1888.  Exact location not determined.  (GBS)

PATTON MINE

0

This small lead mine was located three miles west of St. Clair, in Sec 30, T42N, R1W.  It, as well as the Ellett Mine and Hamilton Mine, all had a combined output of 1500 tons of galena prior to 1888.  The exact location is not determined.  (GBS)

PENINSULA MINE

AKA – Hardesty Mine

0

This lead mine was located on a peninsula-like bend of the Meramec River in Secs 15 & 16, T42N, R1W, Union Township.  Prior to 1888 had produced 600 tons of galena in a 40-year span.  It is one of the earliest lead mines in the county, starting in the 1820s.  (GBS)

PINEY MINE

0

This lead mine is located south of the Northumberland Mine in Secs 8 & 17, T41N, R1E, Central Township.  In 1888 it was not in operation, but had reached a depth of 40’.  (GBS)

POINT LABBADIE

-

DEAD NAME – Early name for Gray Summit.  (GBS)

PORT HUDSON POST OFFICE

rural

This Rural Post Office/rural community is located on CR C, about 1.8 miles north of its junction with US 50, at a point two miles west of Leslie, SW¼ Sec 22, T43N, R3W, Lyon Township.  This was one of the county’s 12 polling places in 1874.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.4539390, Long: -91.2540413

Lat: 38º27’14”N, Long: 091º15’15”W – elevation 869’

PORT ROYAL LANDING

 

Located at Port Royal.

Now if we only knew where Port Royal was.  I could be wrong, but I think this might be near where St. Charles, Franklin, and St. Louis county come together.    (MF)

PORT WILLIAM

-

DEAD NAME – Early name for Gray Summit.  (GBS)

PORTERS FORD

 

A crossing on the Bourbuese River south of Union.

PRAIRIE SCHOOL

0

This abandoned school is located on a side road about 0.6 miles west of CR FF, at a point about three miles south of Lonedell and ten miles southeast of St. Clair (Luebbering?).  In 1874, it was one of the county’s 12 polling places.  It is probably along the section road along the south side of Sec 20, T41N, R2E, Prairie Township (GBS)

Lat: 38.2694966, Long: -90.8312447

Lat: 38º16’10”N, Long: 090º49’52”W - elevation 725’

QUAKENBRUECK

 

The site of an old covered bridge.  Location not determined.

READ HILL MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

REED MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

REEDS LANDING

0

This place was on the old St. Louis, Kansas City & Colorado Railroad line in T44N, R1 or 2E, (Boles Township), near Ridenhour Creek.  There were granite quarries nearby.  It was probably along the Missouri River.  (GBS)

REEDVILLE

 

Located a short distance south of Stanton. (GNIS)

This was a small lead mining town established in 1860. It was owned by the Missouri Lead Mining Company and peaked in 1865-1867, with a population of 300 people.  It had a blacksmith, company store and a schoolhouse.  By 1868 it began to fade, and in 1888 “presented a deserted and desolate appearance.”  It was located in T40N, R1W, Meramec Township, and PROBABLY was the support town for the Reed Mine. Reedville School is shown on GNIS maps 1.5 miles west of CR K, about two miles north of the county line and east of Meramec State Park in the NW¼ Sec 4, T40N, T1W, Meramec Township.  (GBS)

RENGEL

50 (1880)

Location not determined.

RENICKVILLE

 

Located in western Boone Township.

This is probably near Rineck School.  (MF)

Could that have been a misspelling for Renick???  (GBS)

RIVERVIEW

 

A resort on the Rock Island Railroad about five miles east of Union in Union Township.  Opened in 1922.

ROEDDERVILLE

AKA Flint Hill

0

Located between Beaufort and Leslie.

 

I live down the road from Flint Hill Road in Leslie MO. I had started talking to a land owner about different ghost towns and he showed me where a town was once on a part of his property. When he bought the farm back in the 1960s the school house and part of the general store and blacksmith buildings were still there. He actually sold the buildings to someone that wanted them for the old wood. The property is located on Flint Hill Road, and at one time only a path thru the woods just big enough for trailers was the only way to get to it. You can still see the trails that were used, not all grown up yet. It is definitely Roedderville and I am tickled to have found it.

Contributed by “Jim”, Sep 17, 2005

RONEY

15 (1880)

Location not determined.

SAINT JOHNS

 

A small village once located somewhere on St Johns Creek somewhere above (south of) St Johns Settlement.  (GNIS)

SAINT JOHNS SETTLEMENT

 

Located on St Johns Creek, west of Washington.  Lewis and Clark noted the settlement in 1804. (GNIS)

It was probably at or near the confluence of the creek with the Missouri River. That would place it on the west side of Washington, possibly on St. Johns Island or on the flatlands where the creek makes a number of hairpin loops.  The area would be near the junction of Sections 8, 9, 16, and 17, T44N, R1W, St. Johns Township. The first county court was held in 1818/1819, in a private home. When the county seat was officially established it was set at Newport. (GBS)

The mouth of the creek is at:

Lat: 38.5689403, Long: -91.0212548

Lat: 38º34’08”N, Long: 091º01’17”W

SAN JUAN DEL MISURI

-

SEE Fort San Juan del Misuri

SAUERS FORD

 

Located on Berger Creek two miles east of Kempers Mill.

SCHOENEBERG

 

Located on a hill near Kiel in central Lyon Township.

SCHWEGMANN MILL

 

Located in St Johns Township near Washington.

SHAWNEETOWN

 

AKA Shawney Village

 

This Native-American settlement was located on the Bourbeuse River about two miles north of Moselle.  It consisted of 200-300 cabins and was located near what in 1888 was Anderson Coleman’s Farm.  (GBS)

This was probably located just southwest of St Mary’s church and cemetery.  (MF)

SHAWNEY VILLAGE

-

…SEE Shawneetown

SHEWELL

-

…SEE Meramec Hills

SHOTWELL

-

DEAD NAME – Original name for Gerald.  (GBS)

SHOTWELL MINE

AKAIllmo Mine

0

This lead mine was located in Sec 32, T42N, R1W.  It was in operation during the last half of 1887 and produced about 75 tons of galena.  GNIS lists it as a barium sulfate mine located about 4.5 miles west of St. Clair.  (GBS)

SIGNAL STAND

 

Located in Boeuf Township on a high hill.

SILVER HOLLOW MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

SILVER LEAD MINE

0

In 1888, this lead mine had a vertical shaft 110’ deep.  It produced “a large amount of ore.”  It was located in Sec 33, T42N, R1E.  (GBS)

SITES FORD

 

Located on Boeuf Creek.

SKINNER MINE

AKAEnterprise Mine

 

This lead mine is located near Indian Creek in Secs 19, 30, 31, T41N, R1E, Prairie Township, and in 1888 had reached a depth of 75’.  (GBS)

SOUTH SKINNER MINE

0

This lead mine is located south of the Skinner Mine. Exact location not determined. (GBS)

SPRING CREEK MILLS

 

Located on Spring Creek in northwestern Meramec Township.

This might be near Kratz Spring. (MF)

STANTON COPPER WORKS

0

This early 1800s copper mine produced a lot of copper, which was transported to St. Louis by wagon.  However the mining was not profitable, so it shut down around 1861.  (GBS)

STELLAVILLE FURNACE

 

…SEE Moselle Furnace.

TAVERN ROCK

 

A siding or station between Port Royal and St Albans.

This is near the old Lewis and Clark cave of the same name. (MF)

THOMAS MINE

0

This lead mine was a number of horizontal adits, and was located in Sec 5, T40N & Sec 32, T41N, R1W, Prairie Township.  It was discovered by Gabriel Cerre (Cerie) in 1787, and had produced some 2500 tons of galena prior to 1888.  It was a consolidation of a number of smaller mines including: Clark & Appleton Mine, Coe Mine, Darby Mine, Enloe Mine, Gallagher Mine, Gopher Mine, Halligan Mine, Harrington Mine, Read Hill Mine, Reed Mine, Silver Hollow Mine and the Woods & Christy Mine.  (GBS)

TRAVELERS REPOSE

-

DEAD NAME – First name for St. Clair,  (GBS)

VAULT STORE

 

A store in southern Lyon Township.

VIRGINIA MINE

AKA – Virginia Mines, Virginia Lead Mines, Virginian Mine

0

One of the best producing lead mines in the state, and the best producer in the Southeastern (MO) Lead District. In 1888 it was 480’ deep and had produced 15,000 tons of galena (lead ore).  It was compared favorably to the famed lead mines of Cornwall, England.  Now abandoned, it was located about five miles southeast of St. Clair in Sec 16, T41N, R1E.  (GBS)

Lat: 38.3019960, Long: -90.9190261

Lat: 38º18’07”N, Long: 090º55’08”W

VIRNINIAN MINE

-

…SEE Virginia Mine

WARRENSVILLE

-

DEAD NAME – Early name for Robertsville.  (GBS)

WARRENVILLE

 

DEAD NAME – Early name for Robertsville.  (GBS)

WICKER MINE

0

This lead mine was located five miles west of St. Clair, in Sec 5, T41N, R1W.  By 1888 it had produced some 100 tons of galena ore.  (GBS)

WOODS & CHRISTY MINE

 

Part of the Thomas Mine complex.  (GBS)

WORTMANS STORE

 

Located at Beemont.

YEAGER SHOP

 

On CR ZZ north of Gerald, ZZ turns off of CR Y, which runs out of Gerald.  East of the Cedar Fork Creek on top of a hill in Lyon Township, still sets Yeager Shop (a former blacksmith shop), which was used for voting at one time. This was known as the Yeager Shop Precinct.  (Ron, Mar 07, 2002)

YOUNGS MILLS

 

Located in southwestern Meramec Township.

Probably near Sullivan. (MF)

 

MORE INFORMATION

 

 

Historians estimate that there may be as many as 50,000 ghost towns scattered across the United States of America. During the next five years, Gary B. Speck Publications will be publishing unique state, regional, and county guides called

The Ghost Town Guru's Guide

to the Ghost Towns of ***

These original guides are designed for anybody interested in

ghost towns. Whether you are a casual tourist looking for a new and different place to visit, or a hard-core ghost town researcher, these guides will be just right for you. With over 30 years of research behind them, they will be a welcome addition to any ghost towner's library.

Thank you, and we'll see you out on the Ghost Town Trail!

 

For more information on the ghost towns of MISSOURI,

contact us at

Ghost Town USA.

 

E-mailers, PLEASE NOTE:

Due to the tremendous amount of viruses, worms and “spam,” out there, I no longer open any e-mails with unsolicited attachments, or messages on the subject lines with “Hey”, “Hi”, “Need help”, “Help Please”, “???”, or blank subject lines, etc.  If you do send an E-mail asking for information, or sharing information, PLEASE indicate the appropriate location AND state name, or other topic on the “subject” line.  THANK YOU!  :o)

IMPORTANT

 

These listings and historical vignettes of ghost towns, near-ghost towns and other historical sites in MISSOURI above are for informational purposes only, and should NOT be construed to grant permission to trespass, metal detect, relic or treasure hunt at any of the listed sites.

 

If the reader of this guide is a metal detector user and plans to use this guide to locate sites for metal detecting or relic hunting, it is the READER'S responsibility to obtain written permission from the legal property owners. Please be advised, that any state or nationally owned sites will probably be off-limits to metal detector use. Also be aware of any federal, state or local laws restricting the same.

When you are exploring the ghost towns of MISSOURI, please abide by the

 Ghost Towner's Code of Ethics.

 

 

Also visit:

 

Ghost Town USA’s Ghost Towns of Missouri

 
Missouri Ghost Town locations with names beginning:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | PQ | R | S | T | UV | W | XYZ

 

Detailed information on individual locations:

BLYTHEDALE | Haran | McLellan Spings | Rivermines

 

Listings of related groups of locations

FERRIES | MILLS | RURAL POST OFFICES | WAY STATIONS

 

***

 

Also visit: Ghost Town USA’s

 

Home Page | Site Map | Ghost Town Listings | Photo Gallery | Treasure Legends

CURRENT Ghost Town of the Month | PAST Ghost Towns of the Month

Ghost Towner's Code of Ethics | Publications | Genealogy | License Plate Collecting

 

A few LINKS to outside webpages:

Ghost Towns | Treasure Hunting | License Plate Collecting | Genealogy

 

 

***

 

FIRST POSTED: Jul 07, 2001

LAST UPDATE: Oct 23, 2007

 

***

 

This entire website, and all individual web pages is
copyright © 1998-2010
by Gary B Speck Publications

 

ON THIS PAGE, copyright is not claimed for information quoted from the Missouri Ghost Town discussion group, which is marked as noted in the introduction above.  All other unmarked information falls under Gary B. Speck Publication’s copyright protection.

 

The MO GT DISCUSSION FORUM information is posted as a public service for all “subscribers” to the group and is posted with their permission.  It is not to be used for commercial gain without the express written consent of the individuals who make up this discussion forum.

If you have any questions regarding this disclaimer, please contact me at GHOST TOWN USA

ALL rights reserved