National Register Listing

Smallin Cave Historic District

a.k.a. Smallin Civil War Cave; Civil War Cave; Fountain Cave; Winoca Cave; Rock House

3575 N Smallin Rd., Ozark, MO
Local significance of the district:
Entertainment/recreation; Exploration/settlemen

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2018.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

entertainment recreation exploration settlement
Audiobooks about the history of Missouri.
The "Show-Me State" is Missouri's official nickname and is believed to have originated from a speech given by Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver in 1899. He said, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me."
Missouri random facts
Christian County, Missouri, located in the southwestern part of the state, has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, primarily the Osage and Delaware tribes. European settlers began to arrive in the late 1820s, establishing small communities along the James River.

The county was officially established on March 8, 1859, and named after Colonel William Christian, an early settler and veteran of the War of 1812. In the early years, the main economic activities of Christian County were farming and timber production. The fertile land attracted many settlers, and by the 1870s, the county saw a significant population increase.

During the Civil War, Christian County was predominantly pro-Union, but the region experienced numerous skirmishes and raids from both sides. The Battle of Wilson's Creek, one of the major clashes of the war in Missouri, took place just northeast of the county. In the years following the war, the county began to rebuild and experienced further growth.

The 20th century brought changes and developments to Christian County. The arrival of the Missouri Pacific Railroad in the early 1900s opened up new opportunities for trade and transportation. The county continued to thrive agriculturally, with dairy farming becoming a significant industry. In recent decades, Christian County has experienced rapid population growth, expanding its urban areas and becoming a popular residential area for those working in neighboring Springfield.

Today, Christian County is a vibrant community with a mix of rural and suburban areas. It offers a blend of historical charm, natural beauty, and modern amenities. Its rich history and strong sense of community pride continue to shape and influence the county's identity.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Christian County, Missouri.

  • 1831 - Christian County is established as a part of Greene County.
  • 1860 - The county's first post office opens, named Ozark Post Office.
  • 1867 - The town of Ozark is officially incorporated.
  • 1868 - A courthouse is built in Ozark.
  • 1882 - The St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad is completed, passing through Christian County.
  • 1933 - The Christian County Library is established.
  • 1985 - A new Christian County courthouse is constructed in Ozark.
  • 2009 - The population of Christian County exceeds 77,000 residents.