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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
• US – US Highway
• I – Interstate 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.

SITE NAME

POPULATION

1990

U.N.O.

DESCRIPTION & LOCATION

ALHAMBRA GROTTO

The site you describe (above) is the remains of the Ozark Iron Works and is five miles west of the Buckland Mine.  The Alhambra Grotto was located near there, probably north of the railroad tracks. Unfortunately, I hear some local kids burned that place to the ground about 15+ years ago (ca.1987 ??? – GBS).  I think the other large, old building located just south of the railroad tracks was a hotel.

Here are my notes on Alhambra Grotto:  "This was a club gathering place.  An iron furnace that was a copy of the Maramec Iron Furnace at St. James was built in this area.  A local doctor, Richard E. Myers, bought the property and attempted a restoration in the ~1980's, but the structure burned to the ground.  The club was probably on the north side of the railroad tracks."

(Mike Flannigan Sep 17, 2002)

ARROYO

Location not determined.

AUSTRIA

Location not determined.

AVORY

Appears on the line between Rolla & Miller Townships in Campbell's Atlas.  (MF)

BEAVER

AKA - Beaver Station,

Beaver Valley

This old railroad station was probably killed by the growth of Newburg.  It is no longer legally accessible. The Yowell Cemetery #1 is also there.  A post office operated here 1873-1875 and again 1882-1885.

NE¼ Sec 25, T37N, R9W.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

BEAVER CREEK MINE

Beaver Creek Mine is located about on mile up Iron Ore Creek, high on the ridge on the east side of the creek.  You can see it on the 1985 Rolla topo. 

(Mike Flannigan Sep 17, 2002)

BEULAH

The post office was established in 1886.

NE¼ Sec 28, NW¼ Sec 27, T34N, R10W

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

BLOOMING ROSE

Rural

In the southwestern part of the county, at the junction of CR K/ZZ, about five road miles southwest of Beulah. The post office closed in 1955. (GBS)

In the early 1930s, when I was about 12 years old, I remember visiting Blooming Rose, MO. Where my family had some land. I collected post office cancellations at that time and I remember getting a cancellation at the Blooming Rose Post Office which was located in a small shop on county road ZZ near the point where it joins county road K. I inherited 50 acres of land in that area.  

Contributed by Roy Werthmuller, Nov 08, 2005

NW¼ Sec 31, T34N R9W

Lat: 37.6128205, Long: -91.9726581

Lat: 37º36’46”N, Long: 091º58’22”W – elevation 1152’

BLOOMING ROSE CAMP

0

In Wolf Hollow, in the extreme southwest corner of the county about three miles southwest of Blooming Rose.  A number of buildings are shown on the GNIS map.  (GBS)

NW¼ Sec 31, T34N R9W

Lat: 37.6058761, Long: -92.0251593

Lat: 37º36’21”N, Long: 092º01’31”W – elevation 899’

BLOOMING ROSE CCC CAMP

0

It is located on a US Forest Service road about a half mile east of CR K about three miles north of Blooming Rose.  (GBS)

Lat: 37.6544866, Long: -91.9732141

Lat: 37º39’16”N, Long: 091º58’24”W – elevation 1155’

BOX

Location not determined.  (MF)

BUCKLAND(S)

0

It was near the Hoss‑Ray‑Miller Cemetery. It is shown on an 1876 railroad map as five miles east of Yorks and 2.5 miles west of Taylors, along the old Springfield Road. Probably east or southeast of the cemetery next to railroad.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 07, 2002)

Was a village in Rolla Township. It was named for the Buckland family. It was abandoned by 1938.  (GNIS)

BUCKLAND MINE

0

This old iron mine is located near Buckland.

CABEEN

Looks like an early name for Bucklands.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

CARSON STORE

Location not determined.

CLEMENTINE

Located just east of the CR J exit off I-44.  A post office operated here 1891-1926.

Ctr Sec 3, T36N, R10W.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

CORINTH

Was located in East Miller Township and named for Corinth, Greece.  (MF)

CRADDOCK

The post office was in operation 1893-1954.

NE¼ Sec 19, NW¼ sec 20, T34N, R8W

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

DE CAMP

Location not determined.

DEMOCRAT RIDGE

Located in West Spring Creek Township. It was so named because all the residents are Democrats.  (MF)

DRENNANVILLE

 (A) c1870’s map shows it at or near what is now known as Vida.  A post office operated here 1873‑1881. 

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 07, 2002)

DUKE

The post office was established 1906.  At the junction of CR K/Rd 6630 

SE¼ Sec 10, T34N, R10W. 

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

DUNAVAN

0

A USGS 1949 map has a ‘Dunivin’ about two miles west of Dillon on the railroad. Today it would be along the railroad and old St. James Road ¾ mile west of the CR V exit off I‑44.   (MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 07, 2002)

An abandoned village in Dillon Township. It was named for Mike Dunavan, who for many years was the only settler in that part of the county.  (GNIS)

FIVE POINTS

“Was at the intersection of several roads, hence the name.”

SE¼ Sec 8, T35N, R9W.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

FLAT

The post office operated 1895-1967.

NW¼ Sec 21, T35N, R9W

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

FREEMANS STORE

On US 63.  Exact location not determined.

Ctr Sec 13, T34N, R9W.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

GLENN

Location not determined.  (MF)

HOWERTON

Location not determined.

HUNT

“Where Hwy J (CR-J) crosses the Army Railroad.

Sec 14 T36N, R10W.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

JACOBS

I'm trying to find information on Jacobs, in Phelps County. Do you have any information on it?

(Dan Gibson, 02/09/2003)

I have nothing…anyone out there have anything?  (GBS)

Location not determined.  (MF)

LITTLE PINEY

Located at or near Arlington and may be an earlier name for that current community.  “I think this was the first “town” in what became Phelps Co.”

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

LITTLE PRAIRIE

First settled by Benjamin Wishon, who had a general store and later a post office. MO map of 1865 shows it east of Dillon at or near the railroad. Today it would be southeast of Little Prairie Lake, north of the railroad and (I think) just east of Wishon Cemetery.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 07, 2002)

Was located in southwestern St. James Township on a small prairie.  (GNIS)

MACEDONIA

Location not determined.

MACEDONIA SCHOOL

Location not determined.

MERAMEC SPRING

AKA – Merimec

0

Ruins of the country’s oldest ironworks west of the Mississippi River.  It is located on SH 8, just west of the county line, about six miles southeast of St. James.

$  (GBS)

Was located in northeastern Meramec Township. It was a town of about 500 people before the iron furnaces closed in 1873. It was abandoned before 1938. It was named for Meramec Springs.  (GNIS)

Lat: 37.9553206, Long: -91.5348755

Lat: 37º57’19”N, Long: 091º32’06”W – elevation 807’

MERIMEC

-

…SEE Meramec Spring

MITCHELL

Post Office 1895‑1911. Looks to be same place as Dunivin (c1911 road map). The 1877 railroad map has ‘Douglas’ in same place. Earlier maps have ‘Douglas City’.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 07, 2002)

MUDVILLE

Obviously a humorous nickname. (MF)

NORMAN

Location not determined.

OZARK IRON WORKS

I think the Ozark Iron Works is different.  I have three different locations for the Ozark Iron Works, all within about 2.5 miles of each other.  But all three are about 12.5 miles south-southwest of the Buckland Mine, down in Spring Creek Township.  It's entirely possible - even probable - that ore from the Buckland Mine was processed at the Ozark Iron Works, but I just don't know.  That Ozark Iron Works is down by the old Pleasant Hill School. 

(Mike Flannigan Sep 15, 2002)

The Ozark Iron Works is a registered historic site. All that remains today is a single furnace stack. It is about two miles west of Newburg on CR P, near the confluence of Mill Creek/Little Piney Creek. There was a post office 1873-1882.  The name was changed to Knotwell, and that post office operated 1882-1884). I think it was at or near York (or Yorks). I believe it was operated by the last owners of Maramec Iron Works. It became too expensive to operate Maramec because they had to haul ore and wood from too far away, plus they did not have direct access to the railroad. As a result, they moved to Ozark, which was beside the railroad.

      I came across a map that calls Bucklands 'Cabeen'. I also remember a map - which is now lost - calling the mines in the area 'Beaver Valley Mines'. The map also showed a railroad spur running up Beaver Creek near where it meets Iron Ore Creek. I don’t know if it was built or just projected.  W½ Sec 21, T37N, R9W 

(Dave P Sep 16, 2002)

The site you describe (above) is the remains of the Ozark Iron Works and is five miles west of the Buckland Mine.  The Alhambra Grotto was located near there, probably north of the railroad tracks. Unfortunately, I hear some local kids burned that place to the ground about 15+ years ago (ca.1987 ??? – GBS).  I think the other large, old building located just south of the railroad tracks was a hotel.

(Mike Flannigan Sep 17, 2002)

PILLMANS MILL

Was possibly located just downstream from Spring Creek.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

Terrific job on placing Pillmans Mill.  Do you think it was just below the Pillman Cave (along the bluff), or another ½ mile north-northwest up by Smoky Hollow?  I suspect the first site (below the cave), but I'm just guessing.  I need to do some historical research to determine how it was powered.  (Mike Flannigan  Sep 17, 2002)

POWELLVILLE

Located along I-44, just northeast of Onyx Cave.

Ctr Sec 34, T37N, R10W.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

RATHBONE

Location not determined.  (MF)

RELFE

The post office was active 1866-1870 and again 1876-1928.  Was located on Spring Creek, between Relfe Spring and Relfe School. 

Ctr Sec 36, T35N R10W

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

ROLLA ORCHARD

Location not determined.

SANDS

Post Office 1910‑1925. Shown on 1909 USGS map. Today it would be between Rolla and Vida, just south of Beaver Creek and just west of US 63. It’s the same place where Coolbrook Swimming Pool was. Driving past you can see a stone gate, post or column. Don’t know if that was part of Sands or Coolbrook.   (MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 07, 2002)

Was a post office in Cold Spring Township. It was named for Charles Sands, the first postmaster.  (GNIS)

SIGNAL

Location not determined.

SILLS

Don’t know exactly where it was, but it was west of Rolla along the railroad. From Bridge School Road (CR 7000) next to railroad, you can see a light signal and building. For years, before it was repainted, the building had a sign that said ‘Sills’.   (MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 07, 2002)

It was located in the center of Rolla Township.  (GBS)

SPANISH NEEDLE

Settled by William Hawkins 1820’s. Became a post office in 1836. Located off CR C, on the east bank of Gasconade River, in the northwest corner of the county. Sec 18, T38N R9W. Cemetery there now.  

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 07, 2002)

Variant name for Spanish Prairie (GNIS)

SPANISH PRAIRIE

AKA – Spanish Needle

Old maps are a bit vague, but best guess for now is along Phelps‑Maries County line, southwest of Safe and east-southeast of Light, close to Hwy 68. It had a post office 1857‑1864.  (MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 07, 2002)

Formerly a post office in the north part of the city. Established about 1836 by William Hawkins.  (GNIS)

SPRING CREEK

On CR J just past Spring Creek Bluff and on the west bank of Spring Creek.  The post office operated 1868-1943.

NW¼ Sec 15, T35N, R10W.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

STONY DELL

Located on the opposite side of the Little Piney River from Arlington.

Ctr Sec 24, T37N, R10W.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

We basically agree on Stony Dell, except I put it in southern part of section 24.  It was 0.35 miles west (and barely south) of Pillman Cemetery.

(Mike Flannigan  Sep 17, 2002)

TAYLORS

Located 2.5 miles west of Rolla (on the 1876 railroad map). Could be same place as Sills. Today would be in the area where railroad/Bridge School Road/Spencer Road all run beside each other.  (MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 07, 2002)

On Taylors, I place it at the Rolla airport terminal, just based on your description.  Could be 0.25 miles east of there, just south of Blues Pond.  This would be about 0.9 miles northeast of Sills. (MF)

GNIS lists it in Rolla Township.  (GBS)

TITUS

This rural post office was discontinued by 1938.  (MF)

ULF

Location not determined.  (MF)

VESSIE

Located at the end of CR W, ¼-mile west of the Ben Fore School, which still stands. The school looks like it is being used as a barn.  A post office operated here 1909-1945.

Ctr Sec 8, T36N, R8W,

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

Your description for Vessie Post Office would be perfect if you changed 'section 8' to 'section 18'.  That location is interesting since it's about 2.5 miles northeast of the current location of the town of Vessie.  The town is now in the western part of Sec 23, T36N R9W.  Apparently it moved a little.

(Mike Flannigan  Sep 17, 2002)

VEST

Location not determined.  Was located somewhere south of Clementine.  It did have a post office 1879-1898.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

WESTCOTT

Location not determined.

WHITEHOUSE FERRY

AKA – Whitehouse Ford, Whitehorse Ford

“Don't think this was ever really a town. Today it is a boat access/resort type area. The ford access is on the East bank of the Gasconade. Table Rock on the other side.”

NE¼ Sec 2, T37N, R10W.

(MO-GT, Dave P, Sep 16, 2002)

I'm sure you are right about Whitehouse Ford.  In the old days fords were often considered towns because they sometimes had provisions.

(Mike Flannigan  Sep 17, 2002)

YANCY MILLS

Rural

This rural community is located on US 63 where it crosses Piney Creek, 11 miles south of Vida.  It had a post office at one time.  The post office may have moved, as GNIS also shows a historical post office where US 63 crosses CR5340, about 1.5 miles northeast of the other site of Yancy Mills.  (GBS)

Lat: 37.7967083, Long: -91.8148786

Lat: 37º 47’ 48”N, Long: 91º 48’ 54”W - elevation 1070’

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.