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Stories on the mines of Ray County and surrounding areas will come later this week. Check out the RSS feed to stay informed of additions, etc.
Click on each picture for the full size
There are a LOT more pictures, stay tuned
Photos/album and history of the mines courtesy of Don Rogers, Camden, Missouri
FIRST FAMILY OF RAY COUNTY
Long ago and far away, came a family, The Vanderpools, from the state of Tennessee. Heading West, past the Mississippi, into the State of Missouri and settled in Buffalo, which is now known as Hardin. His wife and children came via covered wagon, all possessions to their names in this wagon, along with their eight children.
Whatever possess a person to pack up their families, AND all the belongings that would fit in to one wagon, one team of horses/mules or oxen, food supplies to last the trip and head for parts unknown?
What possessed them were the promises of rich farm land, water, natural resources and the chance of a better life.
Hence, Ray County was born. August, l8l5.
Schools were built (first school of Ray County was on “Ogg’s Branch” Range….word got out, more settlers came, and soon the County reached North to the State line of Missouri.
CITY OF RICHMOND
Among the smaller towns, there was talk of a County Seat. It was tried in different towns, but, didn’t last.
Along came the gentlemen: John Wollard, Isaac Thornton, William B Martin and William Thornton, on May 5, l827 and donated their lands for the Town of Richmond, primarily to locate a Permanent Seat of Justice for the County of Ray.*
There were towns established already (more about these later), Schools and Churches established (more about these later) and the rest, as they say….is History
There were wars fought by citizens of this thriving County and towns, Natural disasters borne during the times of the town’s growth, merchants and resources important to the establishment of the Westward growth of the United States.
After all, we were just ‘down the Missouri river a’piece’ from the Westport and Independence “jumping off” spots for the Oregon Trail, Lewis and Clark, and the rest of the pioneers that were hardy and brave enough to even cross the Mississippi to head for new lands, new homes and new lives.
Thankfully, some a large portion stayed in this area and formed, what is known to all of us in Richmond, Ray County, as HOME.
More “Tidbits” on the trails, the trials and travails of the County, the town and other news fit and not-fit to print in
coming articles!
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Towns Past and Present
Past and Present towns of Ray County:
Albany