Lesterville
Missouri History | Historic
Landmarks | Historical
Places in Lesterville, Missouri
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1895 Map of Lesterville,
Missouri and Black River Area
Lesterville,
Missouri ~ History and Landmarks, Reynolds County, MO
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The oldest town in Reynolds County had its beginning in 1816
when Jesse Lester and his new bride left the mountains of
Kentucky on a quest to find good farming land. The search
ended about 3 miles west of where Lesterville is located today,
and Mr. Lester built a log home. Though it meant traveling
by wagon for supplies to Sainte Genevieve he soon established
a trading post with the Indians. Today,
although Lesterville is the hub of recreational activites
on the Black River and filled with tourists during the season,
many skeletons of the past still remain on historic Main Street
and throughout the community.
Lesterville was the first community in what is now Reynolds
County to have a post office. As Lester was the first
settler and considered to be a very prominent citizen, he
established the first post office in Lester, Mo.
in 1838. Mr. Lester owned much of the land in the area.
Soon, a hamlet rose up three miles to the west. Back
then, as now, convenience ruled. It was soon decided
the post office would be moved 2 1/2 miles away and that the
suffix "ville" would be added to distinguish
the two locales. To this day the Lesterville Post Office
stands on that very spot.
When Reynolds County was organized on February 25, 1845, Lesterville
became the temporary county seat. The home of Joseph
McNail was used as the first meeting place for the Circuit
and County Court until a permanent seat of justice and public
building could be established. After due deliberation,
neighboring Centerville was chosen as the permanent county
seat and in 1848, eighty acres of land was purchased at a
cost of $100 from John Buford, a politically influential,
wealthy resident who settled just south of Lesterville in
1825. In 1849, erection of a courthouse began on the
public square of the new county seat.
Lesterville has endured many changes throughout time. During
the Civil War the community suffered many hardships. The war
supply line came through the area from Van Buren to Ste. Genevieve
by way of Devil's Tollgate, the only passageway through the
mountains. (Devil's
Tollgate is located in nearby Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.)
Troops foraged for supplies at local homesteads. Additionally,
gorilla bands and "Jayhawkers" raged through the
area "killing fathers and stealing the stock and food
supply, leaving women and children to die".
After the Civil War, industry and commerce began to flourish
and the town soon had a large hub mill, a spoke mill, a felloe
mill, and a shingle mill. Lesterville became renowned for
its hubs and red shingles. The plentiful forest around Lesterville
combined with its prime location where the three forks of
the Black River join into a stream, provided for a booming
timber industry. During the lumber boom of the late 1800s,
Lesterville was the origin for floating logs and railroad
ties down the Black River to their destination, Clearwater.
Churches were built, a bank was established and the Lesterville
school was improved. Other small schools, Peola Valley School,
Shed School, and Hyatt’s Creek School soon followed.
Time went by, the forest became denuded from overcutting,
farm product prices dropped and mills closed. Even during
this time of depression, the self-sufficient pioneers of this
Ozark town remained. Credit is largely due to a gentleman
named Red Hunt, a successful farmer who began accepting visiting
“city people” on a pay basis. “Hunt’s
Farm” (now known as Black River Lodge) soon had a thriving
business which included tours to local sites such as Reed
Springs and Sutton
Bluff. Other resorts were opened in this amazingly scenic
area of Missouri, and Lesterville soon became the favorite
destination for many tourists who return each year to enjoy
the many resorts,
cabins, cottages and campgrounds, to float
the Black River, and to marvel at the spectacular beauty
that surrounds them. Visit Lesterville! Enjoy
the best Missouri
canoeing!
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For
lodging, campgrounds and accommodations in Lesterville, Missouri
area click
here.
For Outfitters serving the Black River Area click
here.
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If
you are researching genealogy in Lesterville, Missouri, please see
this genealogy
page for helpful information and resources. Better yet, travel
to our region for a
family history vacation and see for yourself!
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