67 topographic sheets cover 36 settlements here, and 6 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.
6 National Register listings published here · the county-history sources tell 1 story and name 2 people · people the book names include Report Of Elder A. Arnote (Polk Township, 1881) (machine-read).
Sources: the county history on the Internet Archive · the National Register database, National Park Service
Among them: A Terrible Cyclone. These passages come from the identified county-history source books. Each inset names its own source and opens the exact section it comes from.
On June 1, A. D. 1878, the city of Richmond was visited by one of the most violent and destructive cyclones that ever passed over this section of the country. Nearly every thing in its pathway was utterly demolished. Huge trees were torn up by the roots, buildings swept away, and human and animal life destroyed.
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 | Property | Type | Listed | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dougherty Auditorium | building | 1982 | 82003158 |
| Isiah Mansur Farmstead Historic District | district | 1998 | 98001063 | |
 | New Hope Primitive Baptist Church | building | 1980 | 80002393 |
 | Ray County Courthouse | building | 1979 | 79001393 |
 | Ray County Poor Farm | building | 1979 | 79001394 |
 | Watkins House | building | 1983 | 83001036 |
Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 75 of them, burning about 1,204 acres. None started naturally and 3 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 34 |
| Debris and open burning | 25 |
| Smoking | 5 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 5 |
| Railroad operations and maintenance | 3 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 3 |
The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 March 2018 | Debris and open burning | 292 acres | Missouri Department of Conservation | 177348-08922-03152018-2108 |
| 30 March 2014 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 140 acres | Missouri Department of Conservation | not named |
| 10 April 2014 | Equipment and vehicle use | 120 acres | Missouri Department of Conservation | not named |
| 13 February 2018 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 102 acres | Missouri Department of Conservation | 166019-08922-02132018-1326 |
| 18 March 1995 | Debris and open burning | 100 acres | Missouri Department of Conservation | not named |
| 2 March 2018 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 80 acres | Missouri Department of Conservation | 177334-08922-03022018-1357 |
| 6 March 2017 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 50 acres | Missouri Department of Conservation | not named |
| 30 April 1992 | Debris and open burning | 50 acres | Missouri Department of Conservation | not named |
Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.
The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 296 reports for this county, causing 3 deaths, 21 injuries and about $7,560,750 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.
| Kind of event | Reports |
|---|---|
| Hail | 116 |
| Thunderstorm Wind | 112 |
| Tornado | 33 |
| Flash Flood | 21 |
| Flood | 9 |
| Lightning | 2 |
| Heavy Rain | 2 |
| Funnel Cloud | 1 |
The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1967 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | 2 killed, 18 hurt, $2,500,000 | no account filed |
| June 2001 | Flash Flood | Wood Hgts | 1 killed | Flash flooding fatality reported on 168th St. in Ray county, or approximately 5 miles northeast of Excelsior Springs. Woman drove into flooded road where it crossed a small stream...and vehicle was washed of the road. She could not be rescued in time. |
| May 1961 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | 2 hurt, $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 1977 | Tornado (F4) | not stated | 1 hurt, $2,500,000 | no account filed |
| August 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Richmond | $500,000 | A local newspaper reported downed trees and power lines. Half of the bleacher seats at the high school football field were ripped out of place and left twisted on the field. A 75-foot-hole was also torn in the ceiling of a Wal-Mart store. |
| March 2006 | Tornado (F1) | Orrick | $400,000 | F1 tornado crossed into Ray county from Jackson county at 0915 CST...2 miles west of Orrick. The tornado traveled east and lifted 2 miles southeast of Richmond. A gas station was destroyed in Orrick and the roof to the school was blown off.. |
| November 1975 | Tornado (F0) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| April 1967 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| July 1958 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| October 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Taitsville | $200,000 | Two homes were destroyed. Utility company officials reported numerous downed power poles. |
| September 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Richmond | $200,000 | Thunderstorm winds tore off a 60-by-100 foot section of the roof at Richmond High School. |
| October 1998 | Flash Flood | Richmond | $100,000 | no account filed |
| June 2003 | Tornado (F0) | Hardin | $30,000 | Tornado touched down 4 miles north of Hardin and moved one mile northeast before lifting. The tornado damaged power lines, sheds, roofs and one business. |
| October 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Knoxville | $30,000 | A house suffered roof damage and a barn was destroyed. |
| November 2005 | Tornado (F1) | Lawson | $25,000 | Tornado crossed into Ray county from Clay county in Lawson at 1759. The tornado moved north-northeast and dissipated 2 miles north of Lawson. Damage was noted to homes along 184th street to the east of US-69. Barn and tree damage was also noted along Raum Road just north of town. |
| May 1977 | Tornado (F4) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| June 1969 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 1968 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 1963 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 1961 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| December 1960 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| December 1960 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| July 1951 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $25,000 | no account filed |
| April 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Richmond | $20,000 | Barn blown down |
| April 2006 | Tornado (F0) | Vibbard | $15,000 | Tornado was on the ground from near Vibbard to 1 mile north of Knoxville. Only damage was where a roof was blown off a house and into the road, along with tree and power line damage. |
| April 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Richmond | $10,000 | Barn roof and parts of the barns sides blown about 150 yards. Pieces of the barn hit and damaged a house nearby. |
| May 1997 | Lightning | Richmond | $10,000 | Lightning struck a power line which carries a surge of electricity into a a Richmond home during a thunderstorm. The electrical surge sparked a fire which resulted in about 10,000 dollars in damage to the home. No one was injured in the fire. |
| May 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Orrick | $7,000 | no account filed |
| August 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Richmond | $5,000 | Numerous trees were downed in Richmond. At least one tree fell on a car. |
| June 1994 | Hail | Lawson | $5,000 | Large trees and a few outbuildings were knocked down from high wind gusts. Golf ball-size hail was also reported. |
| June 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lawson | $5,000 | Large trees and a few outbuildings were knocked down from high wind gusts. Golf ball-size hail was also reported. |
| April 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lawson | $3,000 | Power poles were reported snapped and laying across Highway 69. |
| September 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wood Hgts | $3,000 | Small building blown away and windows in home blown out. |
| June 1964 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $2,500 | no account filed |
| July 1962 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $2,500 | no account filed |
| June 1960 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $2,500 | no account filed |
| April 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rayville | $2,000 | Trees and power lines down on Route C. |
| April 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rayville | $2,000 | Trees and power lines down on Route C. |
| June 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Taitsville | $1,000 | A pole barn was reported destroyed. |
| July 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lawson | $1,000 | A large tree limb fell on a car with minor damage reported. |
| September 2008 | Flash Flood | Taitsville | $1,000 | Price Drive near Highway 13, was reported to be washed out from flash flooding. One car was reported swept off the road, with the driver uninjured. |
| March 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hardin | $1,000 | Damage to out buildings reported. |
| May 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lawson | $1,000 | Barn damaged and trees down. |
| June 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Hardin | $1,000 | Severe thunderstorm winds downed several trees in Hardin. |
| May 1966 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $250 | no account filed |
| May 2025 | Hail | Elmira | - | Half dollar sized hail was reported in Elmira. |
| May 2025 | Hail | Lawson | - | Quarter sized hail in Lawson. |
| March 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lawson | - | Social media report of minor tree damage from estimated 70 mph wind gusts from thunderstorms. |
| March 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Orrick | - | Report of a semi blown over along MO-210 via social media relayed by law enforcement. |
| March 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Richmond | - | Downed tree at a residence in Richmond. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Albany | - | Downed wires and power outages near Route EE west of Richmond. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lawson | - | Downed tree and wires near Pennsylvania Avenue from thunderstorm outflow near Lawson. |
| July 2025 | Hail | Lawson | - | Quarter sized hail reported near Lawson. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elmira | - | Downed wires near 228th Street near Elmira. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Vibbard | - | Tree limbs down near Excelsior Estates. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wood Hgts | - | Downed wires near Schack Creek Road. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Richmond | - | Downed tree limbs on the road in Richmond. Power was reported to be out in town. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lexington Arpt | - | Multiple reports of tree limbs and wires down in the Henrietta area. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Richmond | - | Downed wires near Route T near Richmond. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lexington Arpt | - | Downed tree limbs and wires near Pryor Road near Henrietta. |
The Survey's mineral resources record lists 62 workings inside this county. 3 still produce and 59 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.
| Commodity | Workings |
|---|---|
| Stone, Crushed/Broken | 61 |
| Sand and Gravel, Construction | 1 |
The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown S&G | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Bates Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Belt Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Campbell Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Case Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Clemmons Qsuarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Clevanger Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Ee Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Producer | ||
| Garner Qsuarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Green Richmond Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Producer | ||
| Hatfield Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Inknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Johnson Qsuarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Lauck Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Lawson Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Lillard Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Mays Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Orrick Quarry and Mil | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Producer | ||
| Penny Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Riddle Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Schoaler & Bates Shaft | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Ls | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Werle Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer |
History of Ray County, Mo. devotes a chapter to each township: its boundaries and streams, who settled it and when, the mills, the schools and the churches. All 7 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 | Township | Settlements in it | Length | Sections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden Township | Camden, Camden Junction, Fleming | 484 words | 0 | |
| Crooked River Township | Hardin, Lakeview, Morton | 197 words | 0 | |
| Fishing River Township | Crystal Lakes, Elkhorn, Excelsior Estates, Golf Hill, Homestead, New Garden, Vibbard, Wood Heights | 206 words | 0 | |
| Grape Grove Township | Georgeville, Millville, Ovid, Regal, Rockingham, Russellville, Tinney Grove | 764 words | 0 | |
| Knoxville Township | Knoxville, Taitsville | 1,246 words | 1 | |
| Polk Township | Elmira, Elmira Camp, Lawson, Sandals | 50,099 words | 67 | |
| Richmond Township | Dockery, Henrietta, Rayville, Richmond, Saint Cloud, Swanwick | 31,040 words | 29 |
One book written about this county, cut here where the book itself is cut, at its printed chapters: 1 chapter 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.
| Chapter | Length |
|---|---|
| The whole text | 349,658 words in 23 parts |
Everyone History of Ray County, Mo. 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 1881.
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.
Orrick township · 64077 · On East Fork Rollins Creek · Camden quadrangle
21 sheets, 1894 to 1983
Camden township · 64017 · On Rollins Creek · Camden quadrangle
21 sheets, 1894 to 1983
Fishing River township · 64024 · On Gold Mine Creek · Excelsior Springs quadrangle
18 sheets, 1894 to 1990
Richmond township · 64085 · On McDonald Branch · Richmond quadrangle
15 sheets, 1889 to 1982
Fishing River township · 64024 · On Gold Mine Creek · Excelsior Springs quadrangle
18 sheets, 1894 to 1990
Crooked River township · 64035 · On Dangerous Branch · Hardin quadrangle
15 sheets, 1889 to 1982
Fishing River township · 64024 · On Gold Mine Creek · Excelsior Springs quadrangle
18 sheets, 1894 to 1990
Orrick township · 64077 · On East Fork Rollins Creek · Camden quadrangle
21 sheets, 1894 to 1983
Grape Grove township · 64637 · Millville quadrangle
15 sheets, 1889 to 1982
No longer a settlement
The vanished settlements of Ray County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.
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