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Christian County, Missouri

89 topographic sheets cover 39 settlements here, and 2 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

2 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Missouri within the United States
Christian County within Missouri

What the record shows

  • 647 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 2 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 2 districts.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 39 populated places in this county; 39 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

2

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Ozark Courthouse Square Historic Districtdistrict200908001409
Smallin Cave Historic Districtdistrict2018100002186

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

431 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 431 of them, burning about 14,573 acres. 2 started naturally and 220 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Arson/incendiarism220
Debris and open burning130
Missing data/not specified/undetermined52
Equipment and vehicle use15
Recreation and ceremony8
Power generation/transmission/distribution3
Natural2
Smoking1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. Three of them were set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
23 March 2019Missing data/not specified/undetermined2,121 acresMark Twain National ForestSWAN CREEK
5 July 2012Missing data/not specified/undetermined1,212 acresMark Twain National ForestMARTIN
15 March 2014Arson/incendiarism1,016 acresMark Twain National ForestDEVEREAUX
4 November 2010Missing data/not specified/undetermined678 acresMark Twain National ForestDEVEREAUX
26 January 2018Arson/incendiarism567 acresMark Twain National ForestDEVREAUX
7 April 2001Arson/incendiarism490 acresMark Twain National ForestBRANCH
19 February 2007Missing data/not specified/undetermined390 acresMissouri Department of ConservationRENO HOLLOW FIRE
17 March 2009Debris and open burning288 acresMark Twain National ForestMUD PIT

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1954 to 2026

60 of 966 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 966 reports for this county, causing 2 deaths, 17 injuries and about $152,262,950 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind393
Hail318
Flash Flood127
Tornado45
Flood39
Heavy Rain32
Lightning9
Funnel Cloud2
Wildfire1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 2003Tornado (F3)Billings1 killed, 3 hurt, $5,100,000no account filed
April 2017Flash FloodClever1 killedA 72 year old woman drowned when her vehicle entered a flooded area along Highway K south of Clever.
March 2006Tornado (F3)Clever3 hurt, $50,000,000This tornado is a continuation of the Lawrence County tornado. Significant structural damage occurred across the Christian County panhandle in a rural area between Billings and Clever. This area was also heavily impacted by the 4 May 2003 tornado. A subdivision with solid well built homes northwest of Nixa was directly impacted by the tornadoes destruction. 138 structures were damaged while 127 structures were destroyed. The tornado weakened as it tracked into southern Greene County, impacting southern sections of the city of Springfield.
April 2019Tornado (EF2)Ozark Airpark Arpt2 hurt, $6,800,000A National Weather Service Storm survey confirmed an EF-2 tornado, produced by a slow moving supercell, tracked from two miles north of Ozark, Missouri to five miles northwest of Rogersville, Missouri. The tornado was on the ground for approximately 20 minutes along its 10.3 mile total track with maximum wind speeds estimated at 134 mph. Along the tornadoes track, which started in Christian County and continued into Greene County, 235 homes and multiple out buildings were damaged. Twelve homes were reported as total losses. As many as 45 vehicles were damaged and three horses were killed when a barn was hit. Hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted and multiple power poles and lines were downed. Three injuries were reported with two people transported to a local hospital. The tornado touched down just south of North 9th Avenue and East State Highway NN in Christian County. As the tornado proceeded to the northeast it impacted 145 homes in Christian County before moving into Greene County. Of those homes, nine were reported as total losses. Two injuries occurred in one home as the tornado traveled through a subdivision. Many vehicles were damaged along with multiple outbuildings before the tornado passed into Greene County along East County Line Road just west of South Farm Road 203. The tornado track continued into Greene County where additional EF-2 damage occurred along the remaining eight miles it remained on the ground.
April 1996Thunderstorm WindBillings2 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
October 1984Tornado (F1)not stated2 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
December 2010Tornado (EF1)Bruner2 hurt, $200,000A NWS survey team confirmed an EF-1 tornado. The width of the tornado varied from 50 to 250 yards wide starting in Christian County and continuing into Webster County. The estimated wind speeds ranged from 80 to 105 miles per hour. One trailer home was spun 180 degrees and displaced 150 yards. A large barn was severely damaged, losing its roof with several collapsed walls. There were numerous trees snapped and uprooted. There were many trees blown down across roadways along the damage path. There were numerous outbuildings damaged and destroyed.
January 2008Tornado (EF1)Riverdale1 hurt, $200,000A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that an EF-1 tornado tracked across a rural section of west central Christian County. This tornado damaged numerous homes while destroying two mobile homes. One injury resulted from this tornado as one women was hit by debris as the tornado destroyed her mobile home.
April 1975Tornado (F1)not stated1 hurt, $25,000no account filed
June 2007Tornado (EF0)Ozark1 hurtA National Weather Service storm survey revealed that a small EF-0 tornado touched down within the city of Ozark. The tornado initially touched down on Ozark Middle School grounds near the tennis courts, or just west of the baseball field. The tornado proceeded to move northeast toward the Ozark High School soccer field causing intermittent damage and a minor injury. At this point, the tornado lifted some bleachers and from the soccer field and were tossed around.
April 2026HailBillings$29,800,000A hail swath from a mile to 2 miles wide continued from northeast of Marionville and continued to the northeast across far western Christian County. Hail from quarters to baseballs in size fell along a path from northeast of Marionville to north of Billings as a left moving supercell moved to the northeast across the County. Along the storms path, numerous homes, vehicles, businesses, equipment, crops, livestock and other structures were damaged by hail before the storm passed into southwestern Greene County.
November 1991Tornado (F4)not stated$25,000,000no account filed
May 2009Thunderstorm WindBillings$7,000,000Sixty to 90 mph winds created widespread damage to trees, structures, and power poles across much of the county. Roof damage to homes and businesses was significant in and around the communities of Billings, Nixa, Highlandville, and Ozark. Two mobile homes were heavily damaged in Highlandville from large trees falling on them. Several power poles were knocked over in Nixa, causing damage to some of the mobile units of the school district.
March 2008Flash FloodLinden$5,000,000Major river flooding occurred along the James and Finley rivers. This flooding occurred in response to eight inches of rain the fell near the headwaters of these two rivers. Many homes and a few businesses experienced flood damage near the cities of Ozark and Nixa. All low areas that typically flood during periods of excessive rainfall were flooded.
December 1982Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
December 1971Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
July 2015FloodOzark$2,000,000The Finley River flooded several businesses in the city of Ozark. Highway 14 and Highway 125 near Ozarks was flooded and closed. The fairgrounds were flooded and some equipment was washed away. The country fair was cancelled due to the flood water. This storm report will contain the overall flood damage estimates across Christian County for this storm event. There were several episodes and heavy rainfall events which led to a compound affect to the flooding damage. Numerous roads, bridges, and low water crossings were heavily damaged.
May 2009Tornado (EF1)Garrison$2,000,000This tornado is an extension of the Taney County tornado. A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that an EF-1 tornado impacted extreme southeast Christian County. Wind speeds were estimated at 100 mph as the tornado damaged two homes, destroyed a few outbuildings, and downed numerous trees. The tornado eventually tracked into western Douglas County.
April 2011Flash FloodSelmore$1,000,000Widespread flooding of low water crossings were reported. Fourteen rural county roads were closed due to flooding.||The total cost estimate for flooding damages for Christian County for this entire episode has been included. This includes roads, bridges, and structures which were affected.
April 2017Flash FloodMc Cracken$750,000Several homes and business sustained flood damage across Christian County. Several roads and bridges were severely damaged or washed away across the county. This report will contain the total dollar estimate for flood damage to infrastructure, businesses, and homes across Christian County.
December 2015Flash FloodOzark$500,000Nearly all low water crossings were flooded. Several county roads and bridges sustained damage from flood water. The Finley River and the James River had significant rises in river levels which flooded several properties. This storm report will contain the damage estimates for the entire county for this event.
January 2008Flash FloodBillings$500,000Training thunderstorms caused significant flash flooding across countless locations in Christian County. Widespread rainfall amounts up to four inches occurred over the county within a six hour period. Numerous roads and low water crossings were washed out. Several roads in the city of Ozark and Nixa also experienced flash flooding.
April 1994Tornado (F1)Ozark to$500,000The roofs were blown off of three homes at Lone Hickory Road and County Road W. Towards the end of the tornado track, a barn was blown on to a house east of Sparta. Confirmation was given by the civil defense director and also reported by Troop G of the Missouri Highway Patrol.
April 2016LightningHighlandville$300,000A lightning struck a house in Highlandville which caused a fire. The house and property inside was a total loss. Time was estimated.
April 2025Tornado (EF0)Nixa$250,000A National Weather Service storm survey determined that a brief, weak EF-0 tornado began at 9:30 AM near Eaglecrest St. The tornado damaged an auto repair shop with partial roof removal and wall collapse. The tornado path was intermittent to the northeast crossing Highway 160 before lifting near a storage shed business where awning damage occurred and a travel trailer was overturned.
July 2015Flash FloodNixa$250,000Sleepy Hollow Road and Crane Road had up to 3 feet of water over the roadway.
March 2011LightningNixa$250,000KY3-TV reported a home completely destroyed by fire likely caused by a lightning strike.
January 2008Tornado (EF1)Montague$250,000A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that an EF-1 tornado impacted the community of Highlandville. Numerous structures sustained damage including a church at the intersection of Highway 160 and Kentling Road. The tornado continued eastward and crossed Highway 65 approximately one half of a mile south of the Highlandville exit. Several outbuildings and highway advertisement signs sustained damage in this area.
April 2000Thunderstorm WindNixa$240,000no account filed
December 2018Tornado (EF0)Clever$190,000An EF-0 tornado touched down in the Christian County panhandle damaging numerous trees and a couple of outbuildings. One outbuilding was completely destroyed. The tornado was on the ground for roughly 2.08 miles south of Clever.
March 2023Thunderstorm WindLinden$150,000Multiple large trees were uprooted or snapped. Two trees were reported on mobile homes with one suffering major damage. A large home had minor to moderate roof damage and a large well built barn had a quarter of the roof peeled off.
December 2021Tornado (EF1)Selmore$150,000A National Weather Service storm survey determined that an EF-1 tornado touched down northeast of Highlandville, MO during the late evening of December 5th. A pool house was blown off its foundation, several outbuildings were heavily damaged, and numerous trees were uprooted along the tornado's nearly 3.5 mile path. The maximum estimated winds with the tornado reached 100mph and had a damage path up to 100 yards wide.
June 2020Thunderstorm WindOzark Airpark Arpt$150,000A line of thunderstorms move to the southeast across portions of Christian County uprooting or snapping numerous large trees, downing large branches, and causing minor shingle damage. Locations from northwest of Ozark, Highlandville, Christian Center and Selmore reported trees down or damaged. Near Highlandville, a large oak fell on a boat and mobile home causing moderate to major damage and another tree caused minor roof damage to a home. Winds lasted in excess of 20 minutes.
December 2018Tornado (EF1)Billings$150,000An EF-1 tornado developed approximately 2 miles south of Billings and tracked north-northeast and dissipated approximately 1 mile south of Billings. Numerous trees were uprooted and snapped with several homes and outbuildings sustaining minor roof damage.
January 2008Thunderstorm WindSpokane$150,000Shingles were blown off of a roof by a thunderstorm wind gust.
May 2018Tornado (EF1)Ozark Airpark Arpt$100,000The tornado damage began near the intersection of North 3rd Street and Sunset Road. There was minor damage to roofs and fences. The tornado moved northeast causing additional minor to moderate roof damage, along with snapping trees and destroying out buildings along its path before lifting near the end of Peartree Drive. The tornado was rated an EF-1 with maximum estimate wind speeds up to 95 mph and path of 1.5 miles. The tornado had a width of 100 yards.
May 2017Tornado (EF0)Chadwick$100,000An EF-0 tornado uprooted mutliple trees. Several homes were damaged from fallen trees around the Chadwick area. Estimated maximum winds were up to 85 mph.
June 2015FloodNixa$100,000Several business near the James River were flooded by the flood waters near the Christian County and Greene County line. A nursery lost over 150 trees and shrubs. The nursery had flood damage to their buildings. A baseball field complex nearby had damage to fencing and the baseball fields as well as cleanup.
June 2015Flash FloodMontague$100,000Water rose 2 feet over Highway O in about 10 minutes just west of Highlandville. Numerous other roads, bridges, and low water crossings were heavily damaged.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindSelmore$100,000Straight line winds damaged up to 6 billboards along Highway 65 in the Selmore area. Several trees were snapped or uprooted in the same area. One house window was busted out and several structure had pieces of tin roof peeled off. One house had a few shingles blown off. A trampoline was blown up about 200 yards away from the original location.
June 2013Thunderstorm WindNixa$100,000A tree was blown down in a yard near Highway 14 and Carlyle Street along with numerous other trees down across the city of Nixa and Ozark. A firework vendor in Ozark had their tent blown down and their firework inventory ruined.
April 2009Tornado (EF0)Nixa$100,000A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that an EF-0 tornado touched down along the northwestern edge of Nixa and tracked to near Highway 160 between Tracker Road and Highway CC. Wind speeds were estimated at 80 mph which damaged more than a dozen homes.
April 2000Thunderstorm WindOzark$90,000no account filed
April 2019Tornado (EF1)Spokane$85,000This is the continuation of the tornado that touched down and tracked from one mile northeast of Galena in Stone County, Missouri to six miles southwest of Chadwick in Christian County, Missouri. A National Weather Service Survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado that tracked a total of 23 miles from one mile northeast of Galena to six miles southwest of Chadwick. The tornado was on the ground for approximately 25 minutes along its total track with maximum wind speeds estimated at 100 mph. After tracking across Stone County the tornado then moved into southwestern Christian County were tree damage continued across the tornadoes path. A total of six outbuilding were damaged or destroyed along the tornadoes track in Christian County. One home sustained minor damage from fallen trees. Thousands of trees were estimated to have been damaged or uprooted along the tornadoes path.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindBillings$75,000Multiple medium to large trees were uprooted or snapped with numerous large limbs down across town from Geneva Street to Zell Road. Several small outbuildings suffered minor damage and a barn had minor roof damage.
October 2019Tornado (EF1)Linden$65,000A National Weather Service storm survey determined that an EF-1 tornado developed south of Rogersville and tracked to the northeast to east southeast of Rogersville. Numerous trees were uprooted or broken and many outbuildings were damaged or destroyed along its path. The tornado then crossed into Webster County along Paradise Drive after being on the ground for nearly 4.5 miles in Christian County. The tornado had a maximum wind of 100 mph and was 250 yards wide along its total 6.5 mile long track.
March 2025HailHighlandville$50,000Baseball sized hail went through the Highlandville area in the evening of March 14th. Minor damage occurred to the siding of some homes from the wind driven hail.
March 2024Thunderstorm WindRiverdale$50,000One home completely lost its roof however no windows or glass was broken at the home. Another home lost significant portions of its roof and the garage door was bent inward. A large tree was also uprooted.
February 2023Thunderstorm WindHighlandville$50,000Multiple reports of large limbs down and power outages were received. Winds were estimated of at least 60 mph.
May 2023HailBillings$50,000Golf ball sized hail was reported with minor roof and vehicle damage reported.
October 2019Thunderstorm WindMc Cracken$50,000Several power poles were snapped and multiple homes had roof damage with shingles missing in the area of Highway 14 Davis Road.
March 2017Thunderstorm WindNixa$50,000Numerous reports were received of minor roof damage to homes, including one report of a roof blown off a home. There were numerous reports of trees blown down or damage across the county. Security camera video showed minor roof damage at a local school.
April 2013LightningOzark$50,000Local broadcast media reported a house on fire at 218 Prairie Ridge Lane in Ozark which was caused by lightning.
August 2012Thunderstorm WindHighlandville$50,000A large tree was blown down onto a house causing significant damage to the house.
May 2010Tornado (EF0)Sparta$50,000A National Weather Service ground survey determined an EF-0 tornado downed numerous trees, destroyed a couple of outbuildings and damaged at least one home as it tracked between Sparta and one mile south of Bruner. The tornado had a maximum width of 200 yards.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindMc Cracken$50,000Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees and snapped power poles in a community northeast of Ozark. Penny size hail also damaged siding.
April 2008Thunderstorm WindClever$50,000Severe thunderstorm wind gusts damaged siding and blew shingles off a few homes in Clever.
April 1994Thunderstorm WindSt. Louis City$50,000Local television stations reported traffic lights blown down and toppled trees which landed on parked cars.
March 1993HailChadwick$50,000no account filed
August 2019Thunderstorm WindBillings$40,000A couple farm outbuildings suffered significant roof damage or were severely damaged. Numerous trees in Billings were also reported down. Reports were received via social media pictures.

Mines and quarries

70 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 70 workings inside this county. 3 still produce and 67 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Lead, Zinc27
Stone, Crushed/Broken12
Lead10
Iron10
Zinc, Lead5
Clay3
Zinc2
Sand and Gravel, Construction2

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Mary ArnoldZincPast ProducerUnderground
Mon-Ark MinesZinc, LeadPast Producer1857
Unknown - S+GSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown - S+GSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown - ClayClayPast Producer
Unknown - ClayClayPast Producer
Uptegraf Shale PitClayPast Producer
Alma MineZinc, LeadPast Producer
Dysart DiggingsZinc, LeadPast Producer
Ground Hog MineZinc, LeadPast Producer
Ribeck MineZinc, LeadPast Producer
Roberts DiggingsZinc, LeadPast Producer
Angus MineIronPast Producer
Arnt MineIronPast Producer
Campbell + Hans DiggingsLeadPast Producer
Frisco MineIronPast Producer
Goose DiggingsLeadPast Producer
Hall + Roberd DiggingsLeadPast Producer
Harver DiggingsLeadPast Producer
Miller DiggingsLeadPast Producer
Purdham DiggingsLeadPast Producer
Rassieur MinesLeadPast Producer
Sheep DiggingsLeadPast Producer
Smarts DiggingsIronPast Producer
Unknown - IronIronPast Producer
Unknown - IronIronPast Producer
Unknown - IronIronPast Producer
Unknown - IronIronProspect
Unknown - IronIronPast Producer
Unknown - IronIronPast Producer
Unknown - LeadLeadPast Producer
Bennett QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Clever Quarry & PlantStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Joe Howard Quarry and MillStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Midland Quarry and MillStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Rieves QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Sprice QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - LsStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - LsStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - LsStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - LsStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - LsStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Walters QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Adams MineLead, ZincPast Producer
Bain + Page MineLead, ZincPast Producer
Barber Creek DiggingsLead, ZincPast Producer
Boaz MinesLead, ZincPast Producer
Bray MineLead, ZincPast Producer
Burkhardts DiggingsLead, ZincPast Producer
Elk Valley DiggingsLead, ZincPast Producer
Halls MinesLead, ZincPast Producer
Harpers MineLead, ZincPast Producer
Hornbeck DiggingsLead, ZincPast Producer
Lang MineLead, ZincPast Producer
Mary Arnold MineLead, ZincPast Producer
Mary Arnold Mine Number TwoLead, ZincPast Producer
Mcclellan DiggingsLead, ZincPast Producer
Mcfadden DiggingsLead, ZincPast Producer
Ohaver DiggingsLead, ZincPast Producer
Phelps MineLead, ZincPast Producer
Roberts DiggingsLead, ZincPast Producer
Shawnee DiggingsLead, ZincPast Producer
Tuttle MineLead, ZincPast Producer
Unknown - Lead-ZincLead, ZincPast Producer
Unknown - Lead-ZincLead, ZincPast Producer
Unknown - Lead-ZincLead, ZincPast Producer
Unknown - Lead-ZincLead, ZincPast Producer
Unknown - Lead-ZincLead, ZincPast Producer
Unknown - Lead-ZincLead, ZincPast Producer
Vaughns DiggingsLead, ZincPast Producer

Every populated place in the county

39

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

The vanished settlements of Christian County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.