Historic Settlements

Historic Settlements within Macon County

Ardmore, MO
Ardmore, also a mining camp, was laid out in the early 1890s by the Kansas & Texas Coal Company, located between Excello and College Mound.

Axtel (Moccasinville), MO
Axtel, located north of Macon, is a small town with a history tied to early transportation routes and the nearby, now-defunct, settlement of Moccasinville. Axtell is a successor to Moccasinville, a previous settlement that competed to become the county seat of Macon County. 

In the 1800s, the nearby Richardson home settlement, known as "Moccasinville," was situated at the intersection of the stage road and the Old Bee Trace. The story is that, at one time, the men in the area had to wear moccasins due to a shortage of shoes, hence the name Moccasinville. 

Axtel, with a post office and store, was established at a location on the Wabash Railroad, and the settlement around this station, Axtell, replaced Moccasinville.

Bloomington (Box Ankle)

Bloomington (known initially as the Owenby settlement) was chosen as the first county seat of Macon County because it was one of the area's earliest and most prominent settlements.  The Owenby settlement was founded in 1832 by Joseph Owenby and other early pioneers, making it one of the most developed areas in the newly organized county. The Owenby settlement had sufficient community infrastructure for the new government. The first county court convened in a log house, and the county's first mill was established in 1837. 

At the time of Macon County's organization in 1837, the commissioners charged with selecting the county seat chose the already existing Owenby community, which they then renamed Bloomington. Its period of greatest significance occurred early in its history, but the town was destroyed during the Civil War and never recovered. 

Bloomington was initially known as "Box Ankle" during its early settlement in the 1830s.  Box Ankle was one of the claimants for the county seat when Macon County was officially organized in 1837.  The commissioners favored Box Ankle and changed its name to Bloomington. The origin of the name "Box Ankle" is unknown. 

Bloomington came from towns in the east.  The commissioners selected the Owenby settlement to be the county seat and renamed it Bloomington. That same year, the first mill in the county was also established in the new town.

 

During the Civil War, Bloomington was known as a stronghold of pro-secessionist support.  After the Union army occupied Bloomington, an agreement was made to spare the town from being burned if the residents elected Union officers in an upcoming council election. However, despite the election of the Union officers, Union forces still burned the town. 

Following the destruction of Bloomington, the county seat was moved to Macon, a more politically and economically favorable location, in 1863. The town never recovered from its destruction and the loss of its status as the county seat. 

Economy (Vienna) MO

This village was first called Vienna. A store was first established here by C.H. Nelson, who, when naming it, said, "it was economy to buy at this place." This community was first settled in 1837 by Col. Chas. Hamilton.

Love Lake City, MO

The town of Love Lake City and Love Lake take their names from James M. Love. Mr. Love laid out the city in 1868.

Keota, MO

The village of Keota was opened up in 1900 by the Kansas and Texas Coal Company. It might have been a trade name founded by the company.

Maple, MO

Maple was a country post office that was discontinued in 1889. It was probably named for the maple trees, which are numerous in the county.

Mechanicsburg, MO

Mechanicsburg was a small town with a store and a post office (now no longer in operation). The name was likely introduced from Ohio and was named after a village of the same name.

Mercyville, MO

The town of Mercyville was platted as early as 1865. "The first blacksmith in Mercyville was 'Pop' Williams and his wife, Mercy, for whom the town was named." The station of Elmer was a mile west. Very few people remain at Old Mercyville.

Morrow Township, MO

William Morrow erected the first mill in the county.  He was one of the oldest settlers, and the township was evidently named after him.

New Castle, MO

The parties operating the first coal shaft named it New Castle, after a famous coal town in England.

Newburg, MO

This town existed in the 1840s. Its principal rival was La Plata, but the coming of the Wabash in 1867 gave it new life. The town was influenced by towns in New York and Massachusetts that shared its name.

Redman (Ettle)

Redman was formerly known as Ettle. The post office was named after George Redman, a prominent resident of the area.

Woodville (Old Centerville)

Old Centerville was situated near the lines of three counties, Shelby, Monroe, and Randolph. It was the first trading post in the county.  It was laid out in 1883 and called Woodville.