Cole County, Missouri

Bockrath, Henry and Elizabeth, House Bolton, Lewis and Elizabeth, House Broadway-Dunklin Historic District Burch, Nelson C. and Gertrude A., House Burch, Oscar G. and Mary H., House Capitol Avenue Historic District Cole County Courthouse and Jail-Sheriff's House Cole County Historical Society Building Dulle Farmstead Historic District East End Drugs Garnett Farm Historic District Gensky, H.E., Grocery Store Building Grove, Claud D. and Berenice Sinclair Grove House Haar, Herman, House Hess, Philip, House Hobo Hill Historic District International Shoe East End-Main Street Factory Ivy Terrace J.B. Bruns Shoe Co. Building Jefferson City Community Center Jefferson City National Cemetery Jefferson Female Seminary Kaullen Mercantile Company Lansdown-Higgins, House Lincoln Univ. Hilltop Campus Historic District Lincoln University Hilltop Campus Historic District (Boundary Increase I) Lohman's Landing Building Missouri Governor's Mansion Missouri State Capitol Building and Grounds Missouri State Capitol Historic District Missouri State Capitol Historic District (Boundary Increase) Missouri State Penitentiary Warden's House Moreau Drive Historic District Moreau Park Historic District Munichburg Commercial Historic District Parker, Lester S. and Missouri "Zue" Gordon, House Porth, Dr. Joseph P. and Effie, House Ruthven, John B. and Elizabeth, House Schmidt, Charles J. and Clara B. House Sommerer, John M. and Lillian, House St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Rectory Stephens, Hugh and Bessie, House Tergin Apartment Building Thomas, Albert and Wilhelmina, House Trinity Lutheran Church Historic District Villa Panorama Wallendorf, Joseph and Elizabeth, House West End Saloon Woodland-Old City Cemetery Zion Lutheran Church Zuendt, William E. and Frederica M., House

Cole County, Missouri, is located in the central part of the state. It was formed on November 16, 1820, and named after Captain Stephen Cole, an early settler and veteran of the War of 1812. The county was established when the Missouri State Legislature decided to divide the more populous and prosperous Boone County into smaller jurisdictions.

The first European settlers arrived in the area in the early 1800s, primarily of German and Irish descent. They were attracted by the fertile soil along the banks of the Missouri River. Cole County quickly became an important agricultural center, with crops such as wheat, corn, and tobacco dominating the local economy. The county seat, Jefferson City, was chosen to be the capital of Missouri in 1821, further boosting its growth and development.

During the Civil War, Cole County was a divided community. Although Missouri officially remained in the Union, there were Confederate sympathizers in the area. Jefferson City was occupied by Union troops for the majority of the war, and several notable skirmishes took place in the county. In the post-war years, Cole County experienced economic growth and modernization. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century and the construction of the Missouri State Penitentiary in the early 20th century brought further development and employment opportunities.

Today, Cole County continues to be an important political and economic hub in central Missouri. Jefferson City, the county seat, remains the state capital and houses numerous government buildings and institutions. The county is also known for its rich natural beauty, with the Missouri River offering opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation. Cole County's history is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its residents, who have shaped the area into the thriving community it is today.
Brief timeline of the history of Cole County, Missouri:

  • 1818 - Cole County is established on November 16
  • 1821 - The new state capital, Jefferson City, is selected to be located in Cole County
  • 1837 - Construction of the Missouri State Penitentiary begins in Jefferson City
  • 1861 - The Civil War begins, and Cole County becomes divided in its support of the Union and Confederate causes
  • 1865 - The Civil War ends, and Cole County begins the process of rebuilding and recovering from the war
  • 1896 - The first automobile arrives in Cole County
  • 1911 - The current Missouri State Capitol building is completed in Jefferson City
  • 1941 - The Jefferson City Army Airfield is established, becoming an important training center during World War II
  • 1954 - The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, known as the Gateway Arch, is completed in St. Louis, just outside of Cole County
  • 1964 - The Missouri State Penitentiary is expanded, becoming the largest walled prison in the United States
  • 1980 - The Missouri State Penitentiary closes after 133 years of operation
  • 2008 - The Capitol Avenue Historic District in Jefferson City is added to the National Register of Historic Places

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Cole County, Missouri.