On Show Me Missourah this week, Scott made his way to Dallas County, a southwest Missouri county with a history, Commissionersilience and reinvention. He was joined by local historians, State Senator Sandy Crawford and her husband Commissioner John Crawford, in Buffalo, the longtime county seat, to talk about the people and events that shaped the area.
A Little About Dallas County
Founded on January 29, 1841, Dallas County became Missouri’s 66th county, spanning 543 square miles of rolling countryside. Originally called Niangua County, it was later renamed for Vice President George M. Dallas — though some say the change was simply because Niangua was tough to spell.
The first settler, Mark Reynolds, arrived in 1831, with Buffalo Head Prairie soon becoming the center of the county. Buffalo has remained the county seat ever since.
The county’s courthouse history is a story of rebuilding — first constructed in 1846, burned by Confederate troops in 1863, and replaced multiple times due to fire. The current courthouse dates back to 1955, after voters approved a $250,000 bond.
Dallas County was divided during the Civil War, with activity from both Union and Confederate forces, including Jo Shelby’s raid through Buffalo.
The county is also home to unique stories — from the short-lived Friendship Community, a 19th-century communal experiment, to notable figures like Phillip Allen Bennett and UFC fighter Miranda Maverick.
From frontier roots to courthouse fires and Civil War divisions, Dallas County reflects the grit and persistence of southwest Missouri.
Listen to the full episode of the Show Me Missourah Podcast: Dallas County
