History of Madison County
Natural, historical attractions abound in Madison County
By Becky Allgier Tinsley (Taken from the River Hills Traveler Aug 08)
An aerial view of Madison County would show plenty of rocks, rivers, Mark Twain Forest holdings and farms woven through the Ozark Mountain foothills. There are multitudes of photographic scenery, pleasurable outdoor activities, and interesting historic sites to visit. Fredericktown is the county seat with a population of 3,928. Its located 90 miles south of St. Louis and 50 miles north of Cape Girardeau. Years ago livelihood was based on farming and mining in this mainly rural area. The lead mining industry played out in the 1900s, but farming, mainly livestock is still prevalent today. Silver mining was done in the late 1800s west of town.
Silver Mine Recreation Area, a part of the Mark Twain National Forest, is located six miles west of Fredericktown on Highway 72 then about 3 miles south on D to paved Forest Road 2510. Silver Mines offers camping, hiking, picnicking, and kayaking. A one-mile forest interpretive trail winds through the rock formations, along the St. Francis River. The old mineshaft, blocked with iron bars can be seen, as well as other past signs of mining.
On a hot summer day, the entrance of the mine is cool place to rest before continuing across the old dam. Climbing on rocks to the other side of the river, the trail leads back to the picnic and camp area. Further west 10 miles on Highway 72 is the Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. It is the home of Tiemann Shut-ins.
A paved one-mile trail provides a breathtaking view of the St. Francis River winding through multitudes of huge boulders intermingled with pine trees. This same beautiful stretch of river is treacherous and challenging for the Missouri Whitewater Race participants each March. Racers from throughout the nation kayak from Millstream Gardens, down river to the Silver Mine Dam.
More picturesque rocks and formations are located in the southwestern section of the country at Rock Pile Mountain Wilderness, also within the Mark Twain National Forest.
It is named for circle of granite rocks piled in formation by ancient man. This wilderness area offers a 7-mile trail through untouched forests. Scenic sites include wildlife ponds, caves, limestone bluffs, rock formations, and Rock Pile Mountain itself.
Take Highway 67 south from Fredericktown to Cherokee Pass, turn right on C Highway and follow for 10 miles on County Road 406 to County Road 416.
North of Rock Pile Mountain is another interesting spot, Marble Creek Recreation Area, which was developed at the site of an old grist mill and dam on Marble Creek.
Enjoy tent and trailer camping, and swimming in the old mill pond. It has an 8-mile segment of Ozark Trail open between the campground and Crane Lake that is open for hiking, horseback and mountain bike use.
Enjoy the scenic drive 12 miles east on E Highway from 67 south. It is just after you cross the Marble Creek Bridge. For more information contact: Mark Twain National Forest (573) 783-7225 or for campgrounds call (573) 783-5427.
In the southeastern part of the county you can tour interesting historical buildings in the town of Marquand. In the historical park is the Henry & Janes (Bess) Sitzes Log Homestead cabin that is filled with antiques and period artifacts. Marquand residents have created the park from abandoned railroad right-of-way.
Cobblestone walks take you to the old mercantile, Homan & Company. The building has been restored and has survived a century despite fire and tornado damage. Another place you’ll want to see is The Gallery, which is filled with work from local artists. It features the “Head of Christ,” a piece by the late Arno Heuduck.
Marquand is also the home to Durso Hills Winery, with a quaint tasting room that once was a doctor’s office and other restored historic homes and commercial structures.
Mayor Denny Ward, who operates Reagan Hotel Antiques from the Homan Building, says a group of community activists is working hard to ensure the treasure that is Marquand will remain for future generations.
Marquand hold Pioneer Days the last weekend in September. For more information call 573-783-5609. To reach Marquand, take Highway 67 south to Cherokee Pass, and turn left on Highway A.
East of Fredericktown on Highway 72, then left on Route J, will take you toward Amidon Memorial Conservation Area, and then follow to City Lake Road 1.5 miles.
After checking out all the rocks, rivers and outdoor activities in Madison County, slow down and go back in time. Historic Madison County has a lot to offer.
At the north edge of town is one of Fredericktown’s newer visitor attractions, Vance Winery, developed by Robin Vance on the “Old Schulte Farm.” The main structure has German architecture overlooking a lake and an 1800s concrete silo which is expected to become a clock tower.
While on Buford, you pass the Underriner House, the exterior of which has been restored to 1895 Victorian splendor. The interior of the building was restored to its 1837 design, when it was Pratte Trading Post. The adjacent street is LaChance street, which is now home to the Berryman Cabin, an authentically restored log home, furnished as it would have been in the 1870s. Next to it is Captain’s Creek one room log schoolhouse. Call for an appointment, 573-783-2487.
The Battle of Fredericktown Civil War Museum at 156 South Main is a center for information about the war and nearby battle sites, historic marker, monuments and graves of fallen soldiers. More information is available at www.fhphistory.org or 573-783-2722.
In the center of Fredericktown the Madison County Courthouse occupies the site of an earlier one, built in 1821. The present red-brick structure was designed by Theordore Linke, architect for Union Station in St. Louis. Construction was completed in 1899.
Madison County’s Foundation of Historic Preservation succeeded in having the courthouse placed on the National Register of Historic Places in December 2000.
The City has recently revitalized the courthouse square with cobblestones, iron park benches, old fashioned lamp posts and landscaping, utilizing a Transportation Enhancement Grant from Missouri Department of Transportation.
The square is the backdrop for a free, weekly acoustic musical gathering called “Pickin on the Square.” Every Friday evening during the summer the Pickin can be enjoyed by both listeners and musicians. All types of music are welcome. If weather is bad, the music moves inside the many restaurants around the square. Information is available at www.pickinonthesquare.com.
Annual events that attract visitors include the Cub-Arama Tractor Show September 26-27, Madison County Fair October 3-4, Missouri Whitewater Races and Historic Timeline Encampment in March and the Azalea Festival in early May.
For more information, contact the
Madison County Chamber of Commerce
at 573-783-2604 or visit www.fredericktownmissouri.net.
Madison County is a county located in the Lead Belt region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 11,800. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 12,276. Its county seat and largest city is Fredericktown[1]. The county was officially organized on December 14, 1818, and was named after President James Madison. Mining has been a key industry in this area with Madison County recorded as having the oldest lead mine west of the Mississippi River.
Demographics of Madison County
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 11,800 people, 4,711 households, and 3,330 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 5,656 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.30% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,711 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,421, and the median income for a family was $37,474. Males had a median income of $27,670 versus $15,909 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,825. About 12.80% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.60% of those under age 18 and 16.20% of those age 65 or over.
Fredericktown is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Missouri, United States,[3] in the northeastern foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The population was 3,928 at the 2000 census. The city is surrounded on three sides (east, west, and south) by the easternmost parcel of the Mark Twain National Forest.
History of Fredericktown
Early Settlement
The earliest European settlement in the area near what is now Fredericktown was Mine La Motte, a small community about six miles (10 km) to the north. Mine La Motte was first settled by Europeans to mine a large vein of galena lead ore distributed in dolomite that reached the surface there. The need for a local source of lead for ammunition made Mine La Motte one of the earliest European settlements in the interior of the North American continent. Another earlier settlement was the French Catholic community of St. Michaels, Missouri, which is located just north of the current Fredericktown site on the other side of Saline Creek. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the Americanization of the area began in earnest with an influx of second and third generation German Reformed Church settlers from the next county eastward, Bollinger County. In 1819, the area was organized to form Madison County. The name was chosen to honor James Madison, who had been the two-term President of the United States up until two years earlier (from 1809 to 1817), and who had handled the Louisiana Purchase as Secretary of State for Thomas Jefferson. At the time that Madison County was organized, the land south of Saline Creek was owned by Col. Nathaniel Cook. A new town was laid out on Col. Cook's higher, less flood-prone land, and named Fredericktown in honor of Col. Cook's close friend from Bollinger County, Col. George Frederick Bollinger.
Recreation Areas
The largest and most accessible recreation area in Madison County is the Silver Mines Recreation Area, which is part of the Mark Twain National Forest. Along with its associated Turkey Creek Picnic Area and Millstream Garden Conservation Area, Silver Mines provides miles of beautiful hiking trails along the sides of one of the deepest valleys of the St. Francis River. In the spring, the white waters of the river are also a popular site for kayaking contests. For anyone interested in geology, Silver Mines offers the additional benefit of easy access to an unusual variety of rare minerals (see Geology).
A beautiful location to the east of Fredericktown is the Castor River Shut-Ins, where the Castor River travels through large boulders of pink granite.
The southwestern part of the county is notable for some of the highest mountains in Missouri, and for steep, beautiful valleys that are for the most part accessible only by foot. Perhaps the most impressive such valley is Cathedral Canyon, which is difficult to get to but provides a spectacular hike between the steep bluffs of Trackler and Glade Dotted Black Mountains. A full list of Madison County hiking trails and scenic areas, and just as importantly, how to access them, can be found at Madison County Parks and Hiking Trails.
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