A History of Dallas County Missouri
Dallas County was originally organized as the county of Niangua on January 29, 1841. The word Niangua is from an old Indian phrase meaning "I won't go away." Because this name was somewhat difficult to pronounce and spell, on December 10, 1844 the name was changed to Dallas County in honor of the current Vice-President of the United States, George M. Dallas, Vice-President to President James Knox Polk. On March 28, 1845 more accurately defined boundaries between adjoining counties were made as there was some concern about the western border of Polk and Dallas, but no changes were actually made. Then, on December 7, 1855 a change in the southern boundary of the county was made moving parts of Dallas County to Webster County. Apparently this was about a 7 or 8 mile strip of land. Prairie land abounds in Dallas County although it lies on the northern slope of the Ozark Mountain Range. Bounded on the north by Hickory and Camden Counties, on the south by Webster and Greene Counties, on the East by Laclede County, and on the west by Polk and Hickory Counties, Dallas County is one of the 24 counties that make up Southwest Missouri. The first settler in the area was Mark Reynolds in 1831 who moved his family from near Nashville, TN and settled on a claim on the Pomme-de-Terre River near what is now Pleasant Hope. About 1833, Mr. Reynolds moved his family further north to Buffalo Head Prairie. Mr. Reynolds found a stake on one of the Blue Mounds that had been left there earlier by some unknown traveler and he placed the nearby skull of a buffalo on the stake. Hence the name, Buffalo Head Prairie. 2000 Census report population as 15,661. Dallas County is situated between Stockton Lake, Lake of the Ozarks and Pomme de Terre Lake. All are within 45 minutes drive or less and offer excellent fishing, boat skiing and scuba diving opportunities. The historic and scenic Niangua River flows northeast through the county, winding its way past Bennett Spring State Park and Trout Hatchery which flows 100 million gallons a day. Each year thousands come here to enjoy float trips, canoeing and superb trout fishing in the fast moving spring water. Adjoining this wonderful spring are several hundred acres of land that have been purchased by the State of Missouri and developed into a Game Reserve. The woodlands around Buffalo and Dallas County offer excellent hunting for deer, turkey, raccoon, quail and other wild game. Active Buffalo residents enjoy fun and exercise on city league basketball and softball teams.
(Taken from community website of the City of Buffalo http://www.buffalomissouri.us/history.htm )
DALLAS COUNTY
Dallas County, organized 1841, was first called Niangua for the river flowing within its borders, but the name proved difficult and it was changed to Dallas in 1844 for U. S. Vice Pres. George M. Dallas. Settled in the early 1830's by pioneers from Tenn., Ind., and Ohio, the county lies in territory ceded by the Osage Indians in 1808.
Buffalo, the county seat, laid out 1841, is on an extensive plain named Buffalo Head Prairie for a buffalo skull landmark erected by first settler Mark Reynolds, 1833. In Oct., 1863, Gen. Joseph O. Shelby's Confederates burned the courthouse and raiders burned the Methodist Church in July, 1864, then used as a courthouse. A pro-Union county, Dallas suffered numerous guerrilla raids.
In a futile effort to get a railroad, the county issued $235,000 in bonds in 1869-71, and contracted with the Laclede and Fort Scott R. R. Co., for roadbed and bridges. The contract was fulfilled, but the railroad was rerouted to miss the county and then it refused to pay. The debt plus interest rose into millions before it was compromised at $300,000 and finally paid off in 1940.
Dallas County, with timbered Ozark hills on the east and rolling prairies on the west, is a livestock, diary, and grain farming area. From the late 1860's to the 1890's, lead and zinc were mined. In 1882, a vein of fuller's earth, one of the first discovered in U. S., was found near Buffalo and worked briefly.
Urbana, to the northwest, dates from the mid-1860's. Other communities developing after the Civil War were Charity, Celt, Plad, Redtop, Tunas, Louisburg, Windyville, Long Lane. In 1870's, near Buffalo, was Friendship, a communal colony founded by Alcander Longley; the mutualistic Home Employment Co-op Co., at Long Lane, was founded, 1901.
Bennett Spring State Park in Dallas and Laclede counties, dates from 1924. James A. Brice in 1837 was the first settler at the spring which wells up an avg. 71 million gals. daily in a gravelly basin. The area is described in "The Calling of Dan Matthews," by Harold Bell Wright. In Dallas County were born Philip A. Bennett, Lt. Gov. of Mo., 1925-29, Congressman, 1941-42; and Marion T. Bennett, Congressman, 1943-1949.Near Buffalo is site of noted pioneer Reynolds Nursery.
Taken from historical marker located on the Dallas County Courthouse square in Buffalo, Missouri.
(Taken from community website of the City of Buffalo http://www.buffalomissouri.us/history.htm )
DALLAS COUNTY
Dallas County, organized 1841, was first called Niangua for the river flowing within its borders, but the name proved difficult and it was changed to Dallas in 1844 for U. S. Vice Pres. George M. Dallas. Settled in the early 1830's by pioneers from Tenn., Ind., and Ohio, the county lies in territory ceded by the Osage Indians in 1808.
Buffalo, the county seat, laid out 1841, is on an extensive plain named Buffalo Head Prairie for a buffalo skull landmark erected by first settler Mark Reynolds, 1833. In Oct., 1863, Gen. Joseph O. Shelby's Confederates burned the courthouse and raiders burned the Methodist Church in July, 1864, then used as a courthouse. A pro-Union county, Dallas suffered numerous guerrilla raids.
In a futile effort to get a railroad, the county issued $235,000 in bonds in 1869-71, and contracted with the Laclede and Fort Scott R. R. Co., for roadbed and bridges. The contract was fulfilled, but the railroad was rerouted to miss the county and then it refused to pay. The debt plus interest rose into millions before it was compromised at $300,000 and finally paid off in 1940.
Dallas County, with timbered Ozark hills on the east and rolling prairies on the west, is a livestock, diary, and grain farming area. From the late 1860's to the 1890's, lead and zinc were mined. In 1882, a vein of fuller's earth, one of the first discovered in U. S., was found near Buffalo and worked briefly.
Urbana, to the northwest, dates from the mid-1860's. Other communities developing after the Civil War were Charity, Celt, Plad, Redtop, Tunas, Louisburg, Windyville, Long Lane. In 1870's, near Buffalo, was Friendship, a communal colony founded by Alcander Longley; the mutualistic Home Employment Co-op Co., at Long Lane, was founded, 1901.
Bennett Spring State Park in Dallas and Laclede counties, dates from 1924. James A. Brice in 1837 was the first settler at the spring which wells up an avg. 71 million gals. daily in a gravelly basin. The area is described in "The Calling of Dan Matthews," by Harold Bell Wright. In Dallas County were born Philip A. Bennett, Lt. Gov. of Mo., 1925-29, Congressman, 1941-42; and Marion T. Bennett, Congressman, 1943-1949.Near Buffalo is site of noted pioneer Reynolds Nursery.
Taken from historical marker located on the Dallas County Courthouse square in Buffalo, Missouri.