Lawrence County, MO

County in Southwest MO

The Lawrence County we know today came about in 1845, when the Missouri Legislature carved out parts of Barry and Dade counties to create Lawrence.

Its history has been shaped by the arrival of railroads; the discovery of lead and zinc deposits; and the development of cattle farming as an industry, among other things. Agriculture continues to play an important role, and Lawrence County continually ranks among the top cattle producers in the state.

As a border state, its citizens were pummeled by both sides in the early years of the Civil War and suffered at the hands of bushwhackers and lawlessness throughout the conflict. More than half the inhabitants of Lawrence County were said to have left during the war.

The comparative calm that followed allowed citizens to get back to farming and building communities: Aurora, Chesapeake, Freistatt, Halltown, Hoberg, Marionville, Miller, Mt. Vernon, Peirce City (later changed to PIErce City, Stotts City, Verona, as well as over a dozen other small communities like Red Hot, Orange and Spencer that flickered and faded over time.

Manufacturing and industrial development took the form of lead and zinc mines, primarily in the Aurora and Stotts City areas, though prospectors were active throughout the county looking for the next big strike. The industry faded after World War I.

Lawrence County’s selection as the site of the state’s first tuberculosis sanatorium in 1906 had a great impact on the county and on the people, who now found a place of hope in the treatment of “The Great White Plague" of tuberculosis. It remained the county’s largest employer until it closed in October 2014. Carnation Company’s arrival in 1924 gave area farmers a market for their milk. Mills and factories pumped jobs into Lawrence County’s towns and villages, some lasting for decades.

Highways changed the landscape and brought with them the trucking industry. In the 1920s, Route 66 crossed the northern part of the county. In the 1960s the federal government brought Interstate 44 through Lawrence County.Today Lawrence County is home to a variety of agricultural, service and manufacturing entities

Sponsors of Lawrence County, MO


Since the founding of our communities, organizations, businesses and citizens have stepped forward to build and serve their community. Click on any of the logos below to learn about those who made this website possible! If you would like to learn about becoming a sponsor CLICK HERE!

Towns of Lawrence County, MO


The small towns of the Midwest are rich in history and a great way of life! Below you can visit and learn about the small towns we call home! Towns that have their name highlighted have become FEATURED TOWNS. Businesses/organizations from these towns have stepped forward as SPONSORS enabling us to include (or will include as acquired) stories and website links to ALL their community organizations (chambers, groups and departments, etc.), stories and website links to ALL their points of interest, annual festivals/events and stories done about their citizens, veterans and faith community. To learn how to become a featured town CLICK HERE!

Businesses of Lawrence County, MO


The businesses of our towns are truly the lifeblood of each community, click on any businesses below to learn about them, to learn how to add your business to your town and county page CLICK HERE!