Welcome, and thank you for considering Hickory County,
one of Missouri’s best kept secrets.
This hidden gem of the Ozarks is located in southwest
central Missouri, along the south line of Truman Lake and
warm and kind-hearted people, safe streets, four highly
ranked schools, a real sense of community.
nearby Pomme de Terre River. It includes 108 miles of
shoreline and offers multiple outdoor recreational
has been overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
and Missouri State Parks Department. These two
organizations help maintain more than 650 campsites,
as well as two public swimming beaches, the Pomme de
Terre Dam and Reservoir, and acre upon acre of fertile
Missouri woodlands.
Formation of the Pomme de Terre Lake, which began
world famous 20th Century fan dancer Sally Rand, and
of course, the current Governor of the great State of
In 2020, Hickory County will honor its 175th anniversary,
celebration.
Early History
th Century was a salty time in America. It was a
time when travelers from the eastern States of Kentucky
and Tennessee would arrive in Missouri by the wagonload
to try their hand at making a
living west of the Mississippi
River. Life on the plains
could be rough and violent,
and the areas surrounding
the soon to be christened
Hickory County were no
different. In fact, this region
was formed out of portions
of nearby Benton and Polk
Counties as a direct result of the “Slicker War,” an old west
style family feud that had dominated the people of those
counties for several years. The community at the center
as Quincy, one of the many small communities that make
up this region.
Although the “feud” technically ended in 1843, tensions
still gripped the area enough that a decision was soon
made to form a new community. As a result, Hickory
County was founded on Valentines’ Day, February 14,
few months later at the home of Judge Joel B. Halbert, on
the Warsaw/Buffalo road near the present day City of
Cross Timbers.
As noted by The State Historical Society of Missouri,
“Hickory County was organized on February 14, 1845, the
year of President Andrew Jackson’s death. It was named
in honor of President Andrew Jackson, who was known
affectionately as “Old Hickory” because of the strength
and toughness of his character. A victorious commander
at the Battle of New Orleans, Jackson was the seventh
president of the United States and died at his ‘Hermitage’
homestead on June 8, 1845.
Hickory County was not formed until 1845, but settlers
were here at least a decade before. According to Wilson’s
is now Hickory County, but it is likely it is as early as 1827.
The lands in this county were not
settled and a report of survey
land were made until 1838.”
Historical records prepared by
the Hickory County Historical
By Jeremy Hulshof
Editor of The Index and Pomme de Terre Lake
Chamber of Commerce Board Member
settlers were John Stark, Sam Judy, and J.C. Montgomery.
All arrived with their families around 1830. Stark lived on
property at Stark’s Creek, which became Stark Township
be found the Village of Preston. As noted, Judy’s Gap is
situated in the northeast part of the county and is now
called Quincy. It is in Montgomery Township, named after
J.C. Montgomery.
The Antioch Primitive Baptist Church organized in 1833,
Antioch Christian Church is still in operation around the
community of Pittsburg and recently celebrated its own
175th anniversary.
A 20,000 year Mastodon skeleton made global news when
found on the Henry Breshears property near the Benton
County line, in a spring bog on his farm. Dr. Albert Koch,
who made the discovery, later sold the bones to the British
Museum in London for $20,000. It was taken apart by
specialists and reassembled correctly, where it measured
23 feet high and nine feet long. It is still a favorite display
took place there. This unearthed hundreds of prehistoric
remains, some of which are on display in the Missouri
State Capitol in Jefferson City.
Once the county was formed, hometowns began to pop
up. Among them is Hermitage, the county seat. Others
include the Cities of Wheatland, Weaubleau, and Cross
Timbers; the village of Preston; and the towns of Pittsburg,
Elkton, Jordan, and Avery; as well as Nemo, Galmey,
Quincy, Flemington, Almon, Butcher, and White Cloud.
This aerial view shows the Pomme de Terre Dam and Reservoir, located south of
Hermitage in Hickory County, Missouri. Nearby is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
This Courthouse was built
in 1860 after fire destroyed
the first courthouse (built
about 1847). On January
8, 1881, this courthouse was
consumed by fire.(Photo
from the State Historical
Society of Missouri)