On this week’s episode of Show Me Missourah, Scott made his way to Howell County, a region of rolling hills and rugged beauty in southern Missouri. He was joined by local guests to explore the people, stories, and perseverance that define this Ozarks county.
A Little About Howell County
Formed on March 2, 1857, Howell County covers 928 square miles of scenic southern Missouri. It was named for Josiah Howell, an early pioneer who settled in the Howell Valley.
Before settlers arrived, the Osage Nation dominated the region. The first white settler, James Howell, arrived in 1832 near what is now West Plains, the town that would later become the county seat.
All of the county’s early records were lost in an 1866 fire, but what remains known tells a story of resilience. The first courthouse, built in 1859, was damaged during Civil War unrest. By 1863, guerrilla raids and the burning of West Plains left the area nearly deserted.
Recovery came slowly. A second courthouse was built in 1869, followed by a grander three-story courthouse in 1882, designed by a young Henry Hohenschild, who was just 19 at the time. That courthouse stood until it was condemned after a 1928 explosion.
In 1937, Howell County dedicated its new courthouse, built with the help of federal relief funds during the Great Depression, a lasting symbol of the county’s endurance and rebuilding spirit.
Though no major Civil War battles were fought here, the violence and destruction of the conflict left lasting scars on Howell County. Yet, from the ashes, the people of this region rebuilt, creating a thriving community in the heart of the Ozarks.
Listen to the full episode of the Show Me Missourah Podcast: Howell County.
