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Choose a county:
Butler - Carter - Dent - Douglas - Howell - Laclede - Oregon - Ozark
Pulaski - Reynolds - Ripley - Shannon - Texas - Wayne - Wright

Map of Butler County
Butler County

Named after Gen. William O. Butler of Kentucky. He fought in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War, and then unsuccessfully ran for Vice President on the ticket with Lewis Cass in 1848.

  • Poplar Bluff - County Seat
    "Gateway to the Ozarks"
    Poplar Bluff, population 16,651, was named for the many poplar trees that grew along a bluff overlooking the Black River where the town was founded. Nestled among Ozark foothills, spring-fed streams, a national forest, a peaceful lake and fertile farmland, Poplar Bluff serves as a regional hub for education, health care, business and light industry. Situated in Southeast Missouri midway between St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, this city is home to about 17,000 people. Check out the chamber's site for more information: www.poplarbluffchamber.org
  • Fisk - Fisk, previously known as Poplin, has a population of 363. It is named after Stephen W. Fisk, postmaster and general store owner. A small town on the "Cat" Railroad., near the St. Francois River. Samuel J. Fisk operated, for a Mr. Garetson and Mr. Greason, saw mills in the community on both sides of the river, and was postmaster of Poplin, the little village and railroad station across the river in Stoddard County. The citizens petitioned that the post-office be moved over into Butler Co., and named the place Fisk for the mill man. Poplin soon disappeared.
  • Neelyville - Neelyville was founded in 1872 by railroad officials, it was previously known as Neely and Neelysville. The towns name was originated by Obadiah Neely. It has a population of 487.
  • Qulin - The population of Qulin is approximately 384.

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Map of Carter County
Carter County

Named after Zimri A. Carter, local pioneer.

  • Van Buren - County Seat
    "Current River Country"
    Van Buren was founded in 1830 and was named after Martin Van Buren, Secretary of State under Andrew Jackson. He was later elected US President in 1837. It lies deep in the southeastern Missouri Ozarks, a lovely and peaceful county seat with a population of 845 people. It is a major destination of canoeists and fishermen that float the Current River. The Current River was the first stream to be designated a National Scenic River, and is the major stream of those that comprise the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. For more information on Van Buren here is the Chamber of Commerce's web site address, http://www.seevanburen.com
  • Ellsinore - founded on February 21, 1899 by Charles and Millie Herrin. The exact origin of its name is not known, although it could be named after Elsinore, Denmark, the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet, or it might be a concatenation of Elsie and Nora, daughters of Joseph Pace, a local schoolteacher. Its population is 363. http://ellsinore.com
  • Grandin - founded on September 20, 1910 by the Missouri Lumber and Mining Company. It is named for E. B. and George Grandin, two main stockholders in the Missouri Lumber and Mining Company. Its population is 236. For more history on Grandin visit http://mdc.mo.gov/forest/cenfore/grandin.htm

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Map of Dent County
Dent County

Named for Lewis Dent, pioneer settler

  • Salem - County Seat
    "Gateway to the Ozark Riverways"
    Salem has a Victorian courthouse that was built in 1870 and is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. The region has a variety of restaurants, antique dealers, natural resources and clean streams nestled in the Ozark Mountains. For more information, visit www.salemmo.com.

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Map of Douglas County
Douglas County

  • Ava - County Seat
    "A Small Town With A Big Future"
    Here you'll find cattle ranches, dairy farms, horse ranches, and the World Headquarters for the Missouri Fox Trotters Horse Breed Association. Forested hills, open pasture land and fresh water springs are abundant in the area and provide an ample supply of water for all types of wildlife. For more information, visit www.avachamber.org.

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Map of Howell County
Howell County

Named for James Howell, first settler

  • West Plains - County Seat
    "A Great Place to Live"
    A popular local saying has it that the third time you visit the Ozarks, you bring your furniture. West Plains, nestled in the "Heart of the Ozarks", is where you'll find breathtaking scenery to soothe your spirit and plenty of warm, gracious people who make it difficult for you to leave. When it comes to the best the Ozarks has to offer, West Plains has it all…and we'd like to share it with you. But be careful…we do become habit-forming. For more information,visit www.wpchamber.com/
  • Mountain View
    "City of Murals and a Community Growing Together"
    Mountain View is a progressive small town. It boasts an airport with runways long enough to handle small corporate jets. A bowling alley, municipal swimming pool, municipal tennis courts, many fine restaurants, pizza places and more. Mountain View is an antique and collectibles shoppers dream come true. The town is referred to as the city of murals.
    For mor information, visit: thecaperock.com/places/mo/howell/mountain-view.shtml or www.mountainviewmo.com/chamber.html
  • Willow Springs - Willow Springs is named for a large spring surrounded by beautiful weeping willow trees, and was formerly located about eight miles down Highway 60 E from the present city. The original Willow Springs Post Office was built at the site of the spring. The town later moved to its current location because of the railroad. Willow Springs is located in the South Central part of the state. We are in Howell County at the intersection of US Highways 60/63 and Missouri Highways 76 and 137. US 60/63 are major north-south and east-west routes. Our location makes us the Hub Of The Ozarks and the ideal location for commercial and industrial development.
    Related link: thecaperock.com/places/mo/howell/willow-springs.shtml

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Map of Laclede County
Laclede County

  • Lebanon - County Seat - Lebanon, the county seat, is the largest city in Laclede County with a population of 9,983. It was named in honor of a prominent minister's hometown of Lebanon, TN. Benjamin B. Harrison was one original proprietor of the town site and he would be proud today of this progressive town.  http://www.lebanonmissouri.com/
  • Conway - The small community of Conway, population 629, lies southwest of Lebanon about 12 miles. Christen Hanson, a train engineer, named this town laid out in 1869 by the railroad company for the first engineer to go through the town after the rails were laid. Hanson is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Conway. Irvin and Knight opened the first store about 1869.

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Map of Oregon County
Oregon County

Named for the "Territory of Oregon"

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Map of Ozark County
Ozark County

  • Gainesville - County Seat
    "Welcome to the Real Ozarks"
    Serenity and natural beauty of this small community are brought together by the mills, streams and hills that surround the town.
  • http://www.showmemissouri.com/Towns/Gainesville_Missouri.htm
  • Theodosia - Whether visitors approach the Theodosia area by way of Highway 160 or 95, they will want to slow down--There's a bit of the old, historical 100 plus year old inns and mills for dining, sleeping or touring. There's a bit of the modern luxurious resorts. The many personal resorts in our county offer from "you do it all" to full maid service. We have many campgrounds throughout our area. We also offer many stores where you can buy provisions, hunting & fishing licenses, and other necessities. There are many ways to see the Theodosia area of Ozark County, be it by hiking the countryside, floating down one of the many rivers & streams, horseback riding, boating on one of the lakes, or car touring. Fishing for trophy bass, hunting for the prized deer or turkey are all plentiful here. There is a lot that we do not have, but we are thankful for what we do have ... a beautiful, unpolluted countryside, an easy lifestyle with lots of ways to have fun. We invite you to discover for yourself these things. Welcome to the real Ozarks. Related link  http://www.missourichamber.com/

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Map of Pulaski County
Pulaski County
For more information, see visitpulaskicounty.org

  • Waynesville - County Seat - Clean air, clean water, and a stable economy are just some of the attributes which make the Waynesville, Missouri area such a fine place to visit or call home. Located on I-44 in Pulaski County, the Waynesville area is located in prime hunting and fishing country, with major metropolitan areas just a short drive away on an excellent interstate highway. Waynesville is rich in history and abounding in folklore, taking its roots from the westward migration of early explorers and pioneers. During the era of the Louisiana Purchase, all the area west of the Mississippi River was called St. Louis County. In 1821, Missouri became a state and counties were formed and re-formed. Pulaski County came into being in 1832, named after Count Casimir Pulaski, a Polish patriot and general in the American Revolutionary War. Designated the county seat was Waynesville, named after famous General "Mad Anthony" Wayne, the daring Revolutionary War hero and Indian fighter. A Civil War fort was built on a bluff in Waynesville by the Union Army to protect the Wire Road, a main supply route that ran from St. Louis to Springfield. One historical building that still stands is the Stagecoach Stop, a lovely pre-Civil War building on the east side of the town square. A part of historic US Route 66 running through town has also become a tourist attraction in recent years.
  • Crocker - The crossroads of Missouri easily convert this small town into an accessible outlet to metropolitan areas with their cultural events, theaters, theme parks, sport events and shopping malls. Travel but a short distance in any direction and find wilderness resorts,campgrounds, spring-fed rivers and lakes, state parks and historical sites. Crocker is a connecting route to the diverse interests and pleasures found in the state.

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Map of Reynolds County
Reynolds County

Named after Thomas Reynolds, Missouri governor

  • Centerville - County Seat - has a population of 171. It was founded in 1812.
  • Ellington - previously known as Logan's Creek and Barnesville, has a population of 1,045. It was founded in 1868 by William Copeland and named after the Ellington family who were some of the original settlers. Bunker Bunker, Missouri located in Reynolds County has a population of 427.   http://www.ellingtonmo.com/

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Map of Ripley County
Ripley County

Named after Gen. Eleazer W. Ripley, fought in the War of 1812

  • Doniphan - County Seat - founded in 1847 and was named after Col. Alexander W. Doniphan, of the Mexican War. The name was suggested by George Lee, who donated land for the town. The City of Doniphan is located near the center of Ripley County on the East bank of the Current River. http://ripleycountymissouri.org/RipleyCountyChamberHome.php

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Map of Shannon County
Shannon County
Named for George Shannon, a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition 

  • Eminence - County Seat
    "Where the Hills and Rivers Meet"
    Natural beauty at its finest is exemplified in the many springs, caves, abundant wildlife, and especially the pristine streams. The canoe capital of the world invites you to float year-round on the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers for a few hours or a few days for a truly memorable experience.
    Related link - thecaperock.com/places/mo/shannon/eminence.shtml
  • Birch Tree   - Population of approximately 600, Governor Bob Holden was born in KS but raised in this small community in Missouri.
    Related link - thecaperock.com/places/mo/shannon/birch-tree.shtml
  • Winona - Population: 1,290. Founded in 1888. In 1891 fire destroyed most of the businesses - all were rebuilt. In April of 1892 the town was flooded and 1 person drowned. On July 4th, 1895 the town was again flooded - 11 persons lost their lives and most businesses were destroyed. Newspapers reported that Winona would not recover from these disasters and the town would probably not be rebuilt. The businesses relocated to higher ground and Winona is now the largest town in Shannon County and continues to grow.
    Related link - thecaperock.com/places/mo/shannon/winona.shtml

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Map of Texas County
Texas County

Named for what was then the Republic of Texas

  • Houston- County Seat
    "A Town with a Great Past and a Greater Future"
    Population: 1,992. Legend has it that Sam Houston stopped overnight in the village in route to Texas and gained many admirers in the area. Thus, the town was named for the founder of the new state of Texas. June 1846 is Houston's official birthday, although a number of families prior to that date lived several years in what is today Houston's corporate city limits.
  • http://www.houstonmochamber.com/
  • Related link: thecaperock.com/places/mo/texas/houston.shtml
  • Cabool - The area surrounding Cabool is called the Ozark Plateau from which water drains into many rivers and streams. The geographic heart of the Ozarks, a rolling country of dairy and beef cattle farms, forests, hills and rivers. Population: 2,168
  • http://www.caboolmo.org/
    Related link - thecaperock.com/places/mo/texas/cabool.shtml
  • Licking
    "Pride of the Ozarks"
    Taking its name from a buffalo lick, Licking was established in 1826. Known as one of the states best locations for deer and turkey hunting, the area is alive with all types of wildlife - a sportsman's paradise. Licking is the home of the only Professional rodeo in the County. Nationally known riders and ropers participate in the three day, Chamber of Commerce sponsored event. The annual June celebration attracts kids of all ages, free entertainment from country, gospel, blue grass to pop rock, and one night under the big top with nationally known singers, co-sponsored by the Intercounty Electric Cooperative. Population: 1,471
  • http://train.missouri.org/licking/
  • Related link - thecaperock.com/places/mo/texas/licking.shtml

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Map of Wayne County
Wayne County

Named for Gen. Anthony Wayne, fought in the Revolutionary War and defeated the Indians in the Battle of Fallen Timbers.

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Map of Wright County
Wright County

  • Hartville - County Seat - Hartville is the geographic center of Wright County. The settlement of Hartville came into being largely because of the spring which supplied water for many townspeople & livestock. Hartville was incorporated as a village February 28, 1851 of one square mile.
  • Mountain Grove - Mountain Grove, Missouri is one of the friendliest, most picturesque small towns in the Ozarks. It's a community whose citizens work hard, play hard and happily lend a helping hand to neighbors and area visitors alike. From its beginning as a small pioneer settlement, Mountain Grove has grown to a thriving community of 4,500-plus citizens.
  • http://www.mountaingrovechamber.com/
  • Norwood

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Choose a county:
Butler - Carter - Dent - Douglas - Howell - Laclede - Oregon - Ozark
Pulaski - Reynolds - Ripley - Shannon - Texas - Wayne - Wright


c. Missouri Ozarks Regional Explorers