What’s in a name?

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.

The Butler County town of Hilliard has developed in an interesting way over the years. In 1869, George W. Hill came from Arkansas and purchased a large tract of timber in Butler County. When the Iron Mountain Railroad laid tracks across his land, Mr. Hill started a timber business. He made railroad ties and cordwood for the wood-burning locomotives. Hill’s lumber storage yard next to the tacks became known as “Hills Yard.” Soon a small town grew around Hills Yard. When a post office arrived in the community its name was shortened to “Hillyard.” The railroad soon called its small station “Hilliard Switch.” When the Missouri Highway Department built a road to the town, they used the name “Hilliard” and posted road signs as such. The name stuck.

This and other town name stories are told by George R. Loughead in his 1987 book “Early History of Butler County Missouri.” It is on file in the Poplar Bluff Museum reference library. The Museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge Sunday 1-4 at 1010 Main Street. Tell them Mike sent you.

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