Centennial Memorial - Ironton, MO
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member YoSam.
N 37° 35.890 W 090° 37.666
15S E 709422 N 4163878
On the NE corner of the courthouse lawn.
Waymark Code: WMM7AC
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 08/04/2014
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Geo Ferret
Views: 1
Download this waymark:
.GPX File
.LOC File
.KML File (Google Earth)

County of marker: Iron County
Location of marker: Wayne St. & Main St., courthouse lawn, Ironton
Date marker erected: 1957
Marker erected by: Iron County Centennial Association
Organized: Feb. 17, 1857
Named In recognition of its iron mines

Monument Text:

1857
To all who have walked
Before us in these our native hills -
To their vision Faith and Courage
Which have made our progress possible -
To the firm resolve that we of a new century
Shall ever strive to be worthy of them -
To the end that such as these shall never die. -
This memorial is in reverence dedicated
⚊⚊⚊⚊
Iron County Centennial Association
1957

"Iron County has had only one courthouse. Ironton was chosen as the county seat in 1857. David Carson and Hiram N. Tong, businessmen in the area, owned the site of Ironton and had laid out the town. They donated alternate town lots to the county, and money from the sale of these lots provided more than $10,000 of the $14,000 cost of the courthouse.

"Henry H. Wright furnished the plan for the building and was awarded $25. The court granted the building contract to George S. Evans and William F. Mitchell. The cornerstone ceremony took place on July 4, 1858. Construction was completed and the building ready for occupancy in October 1860.

"The red brick building trimmed with white stone originally measured about 50 by 65 feet. There were six rooms on the first floor, the courtroom on the second. Other Missouri courthouses by Wright include: Washington, 1849; Franklin, 1847; St. Francois, 1848." ~ University of Missouri - Extension

Web link: [Web Link]

History of Mark:
"Iron County Missouri - Europeans had been drawn to the early "Upper Louisiana" territory in the 1730s due to the prospect of mining lead. Close by, the area which later became Iron County, was inhabited by Native Americans who used it as their hunting ground. Known as "Lost Cove" by the Delaware Indians, William and Joseph Reed were the first settlers to arrive in 1798. Ephraim Stout built a log house in the valley (as early as 1805-1807) along the creek which still bears his name. It was not until 1836 that the vast iron ore resources of Iron County were discovered. Mining jobs brought many settlers to the region and in 1857 Iron County became a county in Missouri with its county seat in Ironton. It was also in 1857 that the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad was completed all the way to Pilot Knob, foreshadowing a series of events that led to one of the most important battles of the Civil War in Missouri - The Battle of Pilot Knob at Fort Davidson. Today, the hallowed ground of Fort Davidson State Historic Site honors the brave Union and Confederate soldiers who fought and died in battle. These Arcadia Valley Region communities became a popular nineteenth century summer resort for wealthy families from St. Louis. Visit the historic towns and villages of Iron County Missouri where history is preserved and graceful antebellum homes, historic churches and mercantile buildings are a reminder of days gone by. Visit Whistle Junction Visitors Center and Iron County Historical Society Museum while on your Missouri Vacation to our region." ~ Missouri Historic Towns

Additional point: Not Listed
Visit Instructions:
A clear picture of the Marker or Plaque taken by you.
Also would appreciate you input on the text and location.
Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Missouri Historical Markers
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
iconions visited Centennial Memorial - Ironton, MO 10/02/2011 iconions visited it