Hermitage was surveyed and platted in 1847 and is
located at the center of the 400-mile area. Williamson
was surveyed as a town. According to Wilson, the land on
which it was located was entered into records by Thomas
Court was actually convened at Davis’ residence in
sheriff.
courthouse built a year later.
-
house burned in 1852 and 1881, and a great deal of early
history was lost forever. According to Wilson, the oldest
when businesses on almost the entire west portion of
$75,000 in damage and resulted in the loss of the Light-
Additional records come from the county newspaper The
known newspaper publication in Hickory County was the
and Francis M. Wilson. Until it was sold to Vernon
by four generations of Wilson descendants, a name still
ever present within the community. It currently publishes a
weekly newspaper from an
street from the Hickory
County Courthouse.
Notable buildings on the
County Courthouse and
a one-room 1870
memorial to our military
veterans. Also on the
Coffee Shop building,
which previously
housed its own
movie theatre; and Hermitage
First Baptist Church. Established in
regular worship to one of the area’s largest
church congregations. Lightfoot Hardware can also be
found here, a beloved local business operated by one
Near the center of town is the Hermitage R-IV School
house was built in 1887 and the high school was built in
Country Champions were crowned in 2014, 2015, and
2016. On one side of the school is the Hermitage
Cemetery. On the other is Pickering Park, an acre or
two of public land owned and operated by the Hermitage
Lions Club and named for one of our more generous
runs parallel with the Pomme de Terre River.
To the west on Highway 54, which runs through the
periodicals, magazines, and research materials, as well
Highway 54 is the John Siddle Williams House, a
two-story ante-bellum style brick dwelling maintained by
the Hickory County Historical Society. This structure was
built in 1855 and was home to the family of Confederate
Army Captain John S. Williams, former Hickory County
Sheriff and a nine-term Missouri State Representative
museum, genealogy and research room, old west
th Century blacksmith’s
available by appointment.
Hickory County runs in a circle around the Pomme de
down Highway 254, visitors will pass by the Pomme de
Terre Shrine Club; Hermitage Masonic Lodge #288,
chartered in 1886; St. Bernadette Catholic Church;
County Health Department and Farmers Market; and
Hermitage Lumber. Recently moved from its prior location,
this newer structure is owned and operated by the Pitts
family, one of the longest standing families in the Pomme
de Terre region and founders of the community of
public swimming beach and the Pomme de Terre Dam.
Just below is the popular Outlet Park, which features a
lengthy wooded
walking trails, tennis courts,
In 2020, Hermitage operates as the hub of the county, with
many local festivals and community events taking place
mentioned above, local volunteers and community organizations
come together to create the Pomme de Terre
Blackpowder Rendezvous, a three-day celebration of the
pioneer spirit. This nearly 40 year-old event plays host to
a collection of mid-1800s re-enactors, dressed in period
garb, who provide demonstrations on blacksmithing, rope
making, fur trapping, muzzleloading, and arrow shoots,
among other things. Camping is available, allowing guests
modern comfort. There is also live music; a special kids
foods, arts, and crafts; competitions; camp sing alongs;
and many more opportunities for educational, family centered
fun. The 34th Annual Pomme de Terre Rendezvous is
held every year at Pomme de Terre Lake Outlet Park.
The most popular event in Hermitage is Ozark Market
Day, a one-day vendor showcase on the Hickory County
Courthouse lawn. Started as a ice cream social
fundraiser for the Hermitage Fire Department, this now
44 year old tradition has become a staple of Hickory
County, with as many as 80 vendors coming to offer
their wares each summer, as well as food concessions,
children’s games, live music, and a host of family fun
activities. Ozark Market Day is a product of the
July, as a celebration of the Fourth of July holiday. This
year, Saturday, July 4, volunteers will also honor the
175 years. It is sure to be a grand celebration.
Once you have attended Ozark Market Day, don’t forget
to stick around for the annual Fireworks on the Dam, a
of the dam later that evening. A production of the Pomme
de Terre Chamber of Commerce with assistance from the
of Engineers, and features concessions, live music, and a
full scale red, white, and blue showcase. It’s truly a sight
to behold.
Other popular annual Hermitage events include
Home for the Holidays Christmas Parade on each
Saturday after Thanksgiving. Both activities are
sponsored by the Hermitage Lions Club and see up to
1,000 guests each year. On top of all this, the area also
hosts a month of youth basketball tournaments in the
There is a lot to see and do in Hermitage, Missouri, but
and the Pomme de Terre Lake region. We invite you to
a bite out of our “Apple of the Earth.”
By Jeremy Hulshof
Editor of The Index and Pomme de Terre Lake
Chamber of Commerce Board Member
This Courthouse was built in 1896.
Photo from the State Historical
Society of Missouri)