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Ralls County, Missouri

60 topographic sheets cover 24 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.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Missouri within the United States
Ralls County within Missouri

What the record shows

  • 348 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 9 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 7 buildings and 2 districts.
  • 3 of the 9 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 24 populated places in this county; 24 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

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
James B. Brown Housebuilding198484002603
John Garth Housebuilding197777000813
Greenlawn Methodist Church and Cemeterybuilding200707000569
Ilasco Historic Districtdistrict201616000343
Lock and Dam No. 22 Historic Districtdistrict200404000182
Ralls County Courthouse and Jail-Sheriff's Housebuilding197272000728
Saverton Schoolbuilding199898001505
St. Paul Catholic Churchbuilding197979001392
St. Peter's Catholic Churchbuilding198080002392

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

60 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 60 of them, burning about 1,642 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 burning37
Missing data/not specified/undetermined15
Equipment and vehicle use3
Arson/incendiarism2
Recreation and ceremony1
Smoking1
Fireworks1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. One of them was set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
31 October 1999Arson/incendiarism835 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
31 October 1999Missing data/not specified/undetermined200 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
5 November 1999Missing data/not specified/undetermined150 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
8 March 2020Fireworks60 acresMissouri Department of Conservation190315-06417-03082020-1635
14 August 1999Debris and open burning55 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
21 March 1997Debris and open burning40 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
14 February 1994Debris and open burning40 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
15 November 1996Equipment and vehicle use25 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named

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

Storms, 1958 to 2026

60 of 224 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 224 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 14 injuries and about $1,712,650 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind109
Hail73
Flash Flood17
Tornado12
Flood10
Lightning3

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
August 1985Thunderstorm Windnot stated13 hurtno account filed
August 1996LightningCenter1 hurtno account filed
July 2021Thunderstorm WindRensselaer$1,300,000An NWS storm survey discovered a macroburst that first initiated to the north of Rensselaer, MO. This macroburst caused extensive tree damage in town, especially on the western side of Rensselaer where several large branches and trees were snapped or uprooted and a few roofs sustained damage. Winds in this area were determined to be around 80 mph. The large swath of damaging winds then pushed south towards Mark Twain State Park. Extensive tree damage was noted in the state park. In addition, the Blackjack Marina sustained quite a bit damage from straight line winds around 80 mph. These winds were strong enough to cause damage to several boats, damage to the metal roofing of the marina, and the winds were even able to pull part of the marina off its mooring. The dollar amount damage to the marina is estimated to be around a million dollars. The worst of the damage occurred to the south of the marina in the town of Perry, MO. Extensive tree damage was noted in this area along with some damage to roofs and siding to a number of residences. The degree of tree and structural damage was consistent with fairly widespread 80 mph winds across town, with localized areas of 90 mph present in some of the observed damage. Straight line wind damage continued to the south of Perry, but it became less intense and more scattered in nature south of town. No deaths or injuries were reported.
July 2008FloodHatch$200,000Rainfall of 7 - 10 inches fell across North Central Missouri causing flooding at Mark Twain Lake and along the Salt River. This represented the first flooding of the Salt River since the completion of Clarence Cannon Dam which created Mark Twain Lake in 1984. The crest at New London represented the 8th highest crest of record, resulting in the flooding of numerous farm houses and state roads. Thirty families had to be evacuated from their homes due to the flooding. At least 30 roads had to be closed. Agricultural losses were estimated at $10 million. Initial public assistance damage estimates were put at $200,000.
June 2008FloodIlasco$55,000The Mississippi River at Saverton, MO crested at 27.97 feet on 6/18/2008. This is the second highest crest ever recorded. Ten homes in the Saverton area were flooded. The lock and dam at Saverton was over topped by the river. Highway 79 was closed at a couple of locations. There were no other towns affected as the rest of the county along the river is open flood plain. The County estimated public infrastructure damage at $55,000. No agricultural losses were reported.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindCenter$50,000Widespread wind damage across Ralls County, especially in Center, New London and portions of Hannibal in northeastern Ralls County. There were numerous tree limbs blown down as well as power lines. In Center, a tree was blown down onto a house causing moderate roof damage. In New London, another large tree was blown down onto a house causing moderate roof damage. A tree was blown down onto Highway HH north of New London.
May 2008Tornado (EF0)Center$30,000A tornado initially formed near the intersection of Highway 19 and County Road 209. Power pole and tree damage was noted at this location. The tornado moved east northeast and caused more tree damage about 3/4 mile south of Highway 19 and Clarence Cannon Lane. The tornado crossed Highway P about 1 mile south of Center. Large power poles were bent over about 20 degrees at this location. The tornado moved east northeast and damaged a modular home and a machine shed near Kingbird and Vesper Drive. About 100 yards east of this location a mobile home was turned onto its side.
April 1975Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
February 2000Thunderstorm WindCenter$20,000no account filed
June 2000Tornado (F0)Rensselaer$10,000The County Sheriff reported a brief tornado west of Rensselaer. Trees were uprooted and a barn heavily damaged.
May 1995Thunderstorm WindNew London$7,500Strong winds uprooted trees and destroyed a chicken coop along Highway 61. Closer to New London, the county sheriff reported many large trees blown down.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindNew London$5,000Several large trees were blown down along Highway 19 northeast of Center. Trees were also knocked down in New London with one damaging the corner of a house. Rainfall up to four inches was reported by a local newspaper.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindCenter$5,000The county sheriff reported trees and power poles down in Center. A billboard sign was also blown down north of New London along Highway 61.
October 2021Thunderstorm WindNew London$1,000Thunderstorm winds blew down a large tree near the Ralls County Sheriff's office in New London.
April 2013FloodIlasco$1,000The Mississippi River rose to major flood levels along the border of Ralls County. The river crested on the 21st through 22nd, but continued above flood stage into May. Damage was limited to a few roads closed and flooding of agricultural lowlands.
May 2013FloodIlasco$1,000no account filed
June 1994Thunderstorm WindPerry$500The county sheriff reported large trees down three to four miles north of Perry on County Road J.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindNew London$500The county sheriff reported trees and power poles down in Center. A billboard sign was also blown down north of New London along Highway 61.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindCenter$500Several large trees were blown down along Highway 19 northeast of Center. Trees were also knocked down in New London with one damaging the corner of a house. Rainfall up to four inches was reported by a local newspaper.
May 1973Tornado (F1)not stated$250no account filed
May 1995Thunderstorm WindNew London$200Strong winds uprooted trees and destroyed a chicken coop along Highway 61. Closer to New London, the county sheriff reported many large trees blown down.
July 1995Thunderstorm WindCenter$200Power lines and poles were blown down east of Center.
June 2025FloodFlinthill-Heavy rain caused waters on Camp Creek to rise out of their banks. This resulted in flooding at Camp Creek Lane and Highway O where a police truck was moved by flood water.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindSaverton-Thunderstorm winds knocked down a large tree which blocked Highway 79 at an unknown location.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindSaverton-Thunderstorm winds blew down several large tree limbs and power lines onto Highway 79 just southwest of Saverton.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindNew London-Thunderstorm winds blew down several large trees, numerous tree limbs and several power lines, especially between New London and Old Highway 79. Some of the fallen trees blocked Highway V just east of New London.
April 2021Thunderstorm WindCenter-Thunderstorm winds damaged a large trampoline.
April 2021Thunderstorm WindNew London-Thunderstorm winds blew over several large trees onto Buford Cave Lane.
June 2021Flash FloodSpalding-Up to five inches of rain fell in about a two hour period causing flash flooding. Numerous roads were flooded including Highway A in New London, U.S. Highway 61 south of New London, and the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Highway 19. Also, Highway 19 just southwest of Center and the intersection of Kingbird Lane and Highway F.
June 2021Thunderstorm WindPerry-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous tree limbs around town.
June 2021Thunderstorm WindIlasco-Thunderstorm winds blew down a large tree onto a house causing major damage to the walls, which were buckling under the weight of the fallen tree. Several windows were broken on the house as well.
December 2021Thunderstorm WindNew London-Thunderstorm winds snapped a telephone pole in town.
June 2020Thunderstorm WindPerry-Thunderstorm winds blew down a large tree onto Highway B south of Perry.
May 2020Flash FloodNew London-Up to 3 inches of rain fell in about a two hour period over portions of Ralls County causing flash flooding. Highway F, just north of intersection with Highway C, was flooded where it crosses over Spencer Creek. Also, Highway 19 between Perry and Center was closed due to flooding.
July 2020Flash FloodCenter-Up to three inches of rain caused flash flooding in and around the Spalding area. Water two to three feet deep was over Highway M about 3.5 miles west of U.S. Highway 61. Also, a vehicle was stuck in water up to 18 inches deep on Highway H just south of intersection with Highway A.
November 2020Thunderstorm WindIlasco-Thunderstorm winds blew down a 12 inch diameter tree blocking New London Gravel Road.
April 2019HailJoanna-A wide swath of large hail fell across portions of Ralls County, from the Mark Twain Lake area eastward to Center. The largest hail reported was golf ball sized.
April 2019Thunderstorm WindCenter-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous large tree limbs around town.
July 2019Thunderstorm WindNew London-Thunderstorm winds blew down a 12 inch diameter tree in town.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindFlinthill-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous large tree limbs.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindPerry-Thunderstorm winds blew down trees across multiple roads in Ralls County, including near Ilasco.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindLiberty Hall-Thunderstorm winds blew down a large tree onto Highway 154 just east of intersection with Idaho Road.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindLiberty Hall-Thunderstorm winds blew down a large tree onto Highway 154 just east of intersection with Idaho Road.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindLiberty Hall-Thunderstorm winds blew over portions of an field irrigator, bent a section of it and drove another portion of it into the ground.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindSaverton-Thunderstorm winds blew down a tree across a road just south southwest of Saverton.
March 2018Flash FloodHutchinson-Between 2 and 4 inches of rain fell in a short amount of time causing flash flooding. Several roads were flooded including the intersection of Highway F and Seely Lane and at the intersection of Highways F and AB.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindHunington-Thunderstorm winds blew down several large trees between Huntington, Rensselaer and the southern sections of Hannibal. Some of the trees fell onto Highway DD and Highway O.
March 2017Thunderstorm WindCenter-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous large tree limbs and a couple of street signs.
March 2017Tornado (EF0)Perry-A local storm chaser documented multiple brief touchdowns of a very weak EF0 tornado along an almost seven mile path extending from one mile north of Perry, MO to one mile south of Landing, MO near Missouri Highway J. There was no visible damage observed from this tornado. The total amount of time that the funnel was in contact with the ground was estimated to be less than one minute.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindNew London-Thunderstorm winds bent two power poles over Highway 19 just southwest of New London, blocking the roadway.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindNew London-Thunderstorm winds blew down several power lines around town.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindPerry-A line of severe storms moved through Ralls County. Numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines were blown down across the county, especially in Perry, Center and New London.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindFlinthill-Thunderstorm winds blew down several large tree limbs as well as a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Highway HH.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindCenter-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous power lines between Center and New London.
April 2013Thunderstorm WindHassard-Two grain bins, located on Highway J just north of Hazard Lane, in far northwestern Ralls County, sustained minor damage. The grain elevator sustained minor damage as well. There was minor tree limb damage that extended for about a mile south of the grain bins.
April 2013Thunderstorm WindRensselaer-Thunderstorm winds blew a wooden swing set approximately 100 yards.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindHassard-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous large tree limbs along Highway J and Highway A.
May 2013Flash FloodIlasco-Up to three inches of rain fell in a short amount of time causing flash flooding. Bear Creek was running out of its banks and flooding a mobile home park on the south side of Hannibal just off of Warren Barrett Drive on Ledbetter Lane. Also, Highway 79 near intersection with Monkey Run Trail had water flowing over it.
June 2013FloodIlasco-The Mississippi River started June in flood and hit major flood levels cresting on the 1st. The river fell below flood stage on the 21st. Damage was limited to some flooded roads and flooded farmland.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindSpalding-Thunderstorm winds blew down several large trees onto Highway HH about 3 miles east southeast of Rensselaer. Further to the east on Trabue Lane, about a mile west of U.S. Highway 61, a house had a large section of shingles removed.

Mines and quarries

34 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 34 workings inside this county. 8 still produce and 26 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Stone, Crushed/Broken26
Sand and Gravel, Construction4
Salt2
Aluminum, Iron, Silica, Titanium, Water, Free1
Clay1

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

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Hannibal Plant - Shale PitClayProducer
Hudson ShaleAluminum, Iron, Silica, Titanium, Water, FreeOccurrence
Freemores LickSaltPast Producer
UnknownSaltPast Producer
Edward Cooper S+G PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Al Plant - Quarry & PlantStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Burlington MineStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Central Stone #1 Huntington QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Central Stone #9Stone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Central Stone Co. Quarry #6Stone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Central Stone Plant #1Stone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Central Stone Quarry # 5Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Clayton's QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Fullgrat QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Megowan QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Odell QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Sss Quarry # 2 - New LondonStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer

Every populated place in the county

24

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 Ralls 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.