Bevier

About Bevier

Bevier sprang to life in 1858 when the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad placed a station nearby. Named after Colonel Robert Bevier—a Kentucky lawyer and Confederate leader—the town quickly grew along the new rail line. It was incorporated as a village in 1881 and became a city in 1889.

Coal defined Bevier’s story. Rich seams discovered in 1860 earned it the title “Coal Capital of Missouri.” For more than a century, the region bustled with mining activity, from underground shafts like the Bevier Black Diamond Coal Mine to massive strip mines run by Peabody Coal. At its peak, over 350 commercial mines operated in Macon County, drawing Welsh and Italian immigrants who helped fuel both the industry and the community’s growth. The legendary “Big David,” Missouri’s largest shovel, once worked in Bevier’s strip mines.

Although coal mining declined by the late 20th century, Bevier’s heritage is proudly preserved. The Black Diamond Museum tells the story of the town’s mining past, while the Macon County Historical Society maintains a dedicated Mine Room. The Black Diamond Historical Society safeguards original labor documents, including one signed by the United Mine Workers of America in 1933.

Today, Bevier blends its industrial past with small-town charm, hosting local festivals, celebrating its immigrant roots, and welcoming visitors eager to explore a place once at the very heart of Missouri’s coal country.