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Macon County, Missouri

59 topographic sheets cover 48 settlements here, and 9 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

9 National Register listings published here · the county-history sources name 1 person · people the book names include The I.Kadino Coal Oi'Kbatobm (La Plata Township, 1888) (machine-read).

Sources: the county history on the Internet Archive · the National Register database, National Park Service

Missouri within the United States
Macon County within Missouri

What the record shows

  • 496 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 9 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 7 buildings, 1 site and 1 district.
  • 3 of the 9 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 48 populated places in this county; 48 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.
  • 3 public-domain county histories, 1888 and 1910, supply 4,104 words of narrative reproduced here.

Places on the National Register

9

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
Blees Military Academybuilding197979001380
Lester and Norma Dent Housebuilding199090000763
John T. and Mary M. Doneghy Housebuilding199090000488
Gardner and Tinsley Filling Stationsite200202000408
Gilbreath-McLorn Housebuilding197878001667
La Plata Square Historic Districtdistrict200808000696
Macon County Courthouse and Annexbuilding197878001668
Johnson Morrow Housebuilding199494000703
Wardell Housebuilding198686000333

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

86 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 86 of them, burning about 1,142 acres. None started naturally and 2 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning40
Missing data/not specified/undetermined33
Equipment and vehicle use5
Smoking3
Arson/incendiarism2
Railroad operations and maintenance1
Misuse of fire by a minor1
Recreation and ceremony1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
6 April 2002Debris and open burning240 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
6 April 2004Missing data/not specified/undetermined107 acresMissouri Department of ConservationHIDDEN HOLLOW
30 March 2002Debris and open burning100 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
2 May 2014Missing data/not specified/undetermined90 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
7 April 2002Debris and open burning82 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
3 March 2017Missing data/not specified/undetermined60 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
4 March 2017Missing data/not specified/undetermined50 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
3 February 1992Railroad operations and maintenance25 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named

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

Storms, 1954 to 2025

60 of 328 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 328 reports for this county, causing 2 deaths, 12 injuries and about $7,487,500 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail148
Thunderstorm Wind117
Flash Flood37
Tornado15
Flood6
Heavy Rain5

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
April 1975Tornado (F4)not stated1 killed, 4 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
April 1973Tornado (F4)not stated1 killed, 3 hurt, $25,000no account filed
April 1999Tornado (F2)New Cambria2 hurt, $1,000,000The tornado which formed in Carroll County continued northeast through Chariton County and into Macon County, where the most widespread damage occurred. Continuous damage was observed from 2 miles south of New Cambria, where two workers suffered minor injuries at a mining quarry, to 2 miles west of Atlanta. Within this area, thirteen single family homes and 9 mobile homes were destroyed. Six single family homes and 4 mobile homes suffered major damage, and 33 single family homes and one mobile home suffered minor damage. Eighty-five agricultural outbuildings were destroyed, and 37 sustained damage. Widespread tree and power pole damage occurred.
June 1970Tornado (F2)not stated2 hurt, $25,000no account filed
June 1970Tornado (F3)not stated1 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
April 1999Tornado (F2)Atlanta$500,000After dissipating just west of Atlanta, a new tornado touched down 1 mile southeast of Atlanta and moved northeast into Knox County. In Macon County, 5 single family residences and 3 mobile homes were destroyed from 2 miles east of Atlanta to 10 miles northeast of Atlanta. Four single family homes were damaged within this area. Several outbuildings were also damaged or destroyed. Some damage south of the tornado track was likely due to the very intense rear flank downdraft, which storm spotters observed to accompany the storm.
May 2004Tornado (F1)New Cambria$300,000Tornado touchdown just west of New Cambria. Three buildings were destroyed and 50 were damaged. A grain elevator was destroyed, and there was extensive roof damage to the Macon C-4 school.
April 1984Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 1995Thunderstorm WindMacon$150,000Thunderstorm winds gusted to 63 mph (55 knots) at the Macon Airport. Significant damage occurred to two hangars with roofs blown off and walls blown down. Large hail also occurred.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindMacon$40,000Two silos destroyed and trees uprooted.
March 2002Thunderstorm WindExcello$40,000Barn destroyed and large power poles downed.
February 1999Thunderstorm WindNew Cambria$30,000Thunderstorm winds blew down a chimney and a television antenna. A small grain bin was lifted from its foundation.
September 1991Tornado (F0)not stated$25,000no account filed
August 1986Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
August 2000Thunderstorm WindCollege Mound$20,000A mobile home was blown off its foundation.
June 1998Tornado (F1)Atlanta$10,000An F1 tornado briefly touched down in Atlanta. Power lines and trees were downed on the southwest side of Atlanta and there was minor roof damage to two buildings. A hatchback car was overturned as the approaching strong wind caught the opened hatch thereby overturning the vehicle.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindLetcher$5,000Part of a roof was reported blown off. Shingles and siding damage was also reported. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 70 mph.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindEconomy$5,000A grain bin was blown 50 yards, before stopping in the road. Trees and power lines were also reported down on Highway K, 2 miles north of Route KK.
August 2004Thunderstorm WindMacon$5,000Tractor trailer and 1 ton truck blown over.
August 2001Thunderstorm WindLa Plata$5,000Two barns destroyed reported south of 156 highway along route 3.
April 1994Thunderstorm WindMacon$5,000Strong winds tore apart the roof of a barn at the northeast side of Macon.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindEthel$3,000Power poles were reported blown down. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 70 mph.
August 2007Thunderstorm WindAtlanta$3,000Severe thunderstorm wind gusts, caused a three foot diameter tree to be snapped. Power poles were also snapped due to the strong winds.
May 2002Thunderstorm WindNew Cambria$3,000Windows blown out and power poles bent over.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindBevier$2,000Small building was blown 15 feet up into a tree. Five recreational vehicles were also overturned. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 70 mph.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindEthel$2,000Trees were reported uprooted with power lines down. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindSue City$2,000Two fifth wheel campers were reported destroyed. A garage door was blown in, and a one foot diameter tree was knocked down. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 70 mph.
May 1995Thunderstorm WindEthel$2,000Severe thunderstorms moved through the county, causing significant wind damage. Several trees were downed in the Ethel area, with more widespread damage around Macon. Wind gusts to 60 mph were recorded at the Macon airport, with several reports of downed trees in and around the city. Trees partially blocked PP highway southeast of town. A barn was damaged at the fairgrounds, and a grain bin was blown over onto the street. Damage was done to the screen at the drive-in theater, as well as to the marquis and surrounding fences. Five power poles were downed, and a roof was blown off of a building at the Heartland Building Supply.
February 2011HailExcello$1,000The hail covered portions of Highway 63, causing some minor car accidents.
March 2006Thunderstorm WindCallao$1,000Shed and grain bin damaged.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindAtlanta$1,000Power lines down.
May 2003Tornado (F0)Anabel$1,000F0 tornado formed 1 mile north of Anabel and moved east into Shelby county. There was some minor damage to trees and power lines.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindNew Cambria$750Carport was reported damaged and multiple trees were blown down. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindLa Plata$500Gas station sign was damaged. Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated up to 60 mph.
June 1954Tornado (F0)not stated$250no account filed
August 2025HailEconomy-Social media report of quarter sized hail east of Atlanta.
August 2025Thunderstorm WindHart-Downed tree limb at a residence along Route TT.
August 2025Thunderstorm WindBarnesville-Multiple reports of power lines down and several power outages south and southeast of Elmer.
August 2025Thunderstorm WindAtlanta-Several large trees were blown down northwest of Atlanta.
August 2025Thunderstorm WindEthel-Social media video showing winds to at least 60 mph with several limbs blown down at a residence.
August 2025Thunderstorm WindEthel-Twenty inch diameter trees downed along with tree limbs in the Ethel area.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindBarnesville-Downed wires near Route 3 west of Atlanta.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindMacon Arpt-Reports of downed tree limbs in the Macon area.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindLa Plata-Tree limbs downed in La Plata along US Highway 63.
August 2024HailAnabel-Social media photo of at least ping pong ball size hail in rural Macon County east of Macon.
August 2024HailMacon Arpt-Golf ball sized hail was reported east of Macon.
May 2024HailMacon Arpt-Quarter sized hail was reported in Macon with the second storm that moved through town.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindMacon Arpt-Estimated wind gusts of 60 mph along with tree limbs downed across Macon.
May 2024HailMacon Arpt-Large hail was reported across Macon, with the largest measured stone being 3 inches in diameter.
May 2024HailEthel-Quarter sized hail was reported just west of Ethel.
May 2024HailMacon-Half dollar size hail was reported 1 mile north of Macon, MO.
April 2023HailAnabel-Half dollar hail was reported just west of the Macon and Shelby County line.
May 2023Thunderstorm WindLingo-About a mile to two miles south of the main tornado circulation widespread unidirectional wind damage occurred, likely as a result of a strong rear flank downdraft.
May 2023Thunderstorm WindLingo-Wind gusts of 80-90 mph were reported.
May 2023HailEthel-Quarter sized hail was reported in Ethel.
May 2023HailMacon Arpt-Several reports of large hail came in from all over the town of Macon, ranging from half dollar to two inch hail.
May 2023HailNew Cambria-Baseball sized hail was reported east of New Cambria.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindLa Plata-Damage was done to a fire department building when the doors blew in.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindLa Plata-A large cottonwood tree was blown down near La Plata.
July 2021Flash FloodGoldsberry-Missouri Department of Transportation reported HWY 149 and Highway J were both flooded.

Mines and quarries

18 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 18 workings inside this county. 1 still produces and 17 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Stone, Crushed/Broken15
Sand and Gravel, Construction3

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

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
D A Young Matls Co Pit & PlantSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Unknown - Sand & GravelSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown - Sand & GravelSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown - LimestoneStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - LimestoneStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - LsStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unknown - Ls.Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer

The townships, in 1910

4,104 words

General History of Macon County, Missouri devotes a chapter to each township: its boundaries and streams, who settled it and when, the mills, the schools and the churches. All 2 are reproduced here in full. Each row shows the township's own shape and where it lies in the county, drawn from the Census Bureau's boundary. Which settlements belong to which township is computed from that same boundary, not taken from the book.

Shape and position in the county TownshipSettlements in it LengthSections
Bevier TownshipBevier, Keota, Number Eight73 words2
La Plata TownshipLa Plata4,031 words6

The county's history books

415,312 words

One book written about this county, cut here where the book itself is cut, at its printed chapters: 16 chapters in all. Every chapter is public domain, machine-read from the scan and reproduced complete. A chapter already given under one of the county's towns is not repeated in this list.

General History Of Macon County Missouri 1910 (1910)

ChapterLength
Chapter 14 (1 of 2 so headed)1,786 words
Chapter 1886 words
Chapter 23,860 words
Chapter 34,224 words
Chapter 44,535 words
Chapter 54,516 words
Chapter 612,035 words
Chapter 75,973 words
Chapter with an unread heading (no. 9 of those read)14,844 words
Chapter 97,771 words
Chapter 109,004 words
Chapter 117,738 words
Chapter 1213,354 words
Chapter 136,771 words
Chapter 14 (2 of 2 so headed)11,013 words
Biographical sketches307,002 words in 20 parts

The people it describes

1 named

Everyone General History of Macon County, Missouri stops to write about, with the section that describes them. Among them are the men who founded the place and governed the Territory. Each name opens the passage itself, in the words of 1910.

Every populated place in the county

48

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 Macon 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.