Ghost towns of Butler County

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

When the railroads came to southeast Missouri they established many “timber towns” in Butler County. Some still thrive today but a few disappeared when the timber boom went bust.

In 1880, about four miles south of Poplar Bluff, on the main line of the railroad, the little town of Purdyville was located. It boasted over 100 inhabitants and its principal business was timber, saw mills and tie yards. The town was named after a man named Purdy, who owned the timber. As the timber was all cut, the town dwindled until it all but disappeared by 1900.

As the Butler County Railroad was built south through Ash Hill, a thriving little town grew up on the Horace Bates farm called Batesville. When the railroad was moved west a few miles and the Batesville line was discontinued, the town disappeared too.

About midway between Poplar Bluff and Broseley on the Butler County Railroad line the town of Spread flourished for a few years, being supported by the timber business, but the town disappeared when the timber did.

Some five miles south of Harviell, and on the Southern Missouri and Arkansas rail line was the town of Taft. It was a timber center for a few years. Like the town of Spread, it disappeared along with the timber.

About five miles northeast of Poplar Bluff on the Frisco Railroad in 1902 was the town of Sawyer. For ten years it flourished because of the timber traffic, but as time passed, the timber was removed and the town disappeared.

The stories of the disappearing towns are told in the 1925 book “Deem’s History of Butler County Missouri.” The book is on file with the Poplar Bluff Museum reference library.

The museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge Sunday 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St. Tell them Mike sent you.

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.