Paris Springs Junction, Missouri facts for kids
Paris Springs Junction is a small, unincorporated community in Lawrence County, Missouri, United States. It is located along what used to be U.S. Route 66. This famous old highway is now a local county road. You can find Paris Springs Junction about four miles (6 km) west of Halltown.
The community started with a few businesses along Route 66. After Route 66 was no longer a main highway, most businesses closed. Now, Paris Springs Junction is mainly a quiet residential area. It got its name from an older town called Paris Springs, which was located to the north. That original town was founded in 1855 and lasted until Route 66 was decommissioned.
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Exploring Old Paris Springs
The original town of Paris Springs was located in Ozark Township. It was first known as Johnson's Mills. In the 1850s, the firm of Cherry & Johnson, along with J.R. Johnson and W.F. Likens, used Clover Creek to power their mills. These mills produced flour and meal, which were sold over a wide area.
Early Businesses and Resort Life
Later, other businesses opened in Paris Springs. There was O.P. Johnson's saw mill and a woolen mill. E.L. Davis also had a chair factory. In the 1880s, O.P. Johnson served as the postmaster for the town.
In the early 1900s, Paris Springs became a popular resort. The creek in the area was fed by several "chalybeate" springs. These springs contained iron, which people believed had health benefits.
The Historic Spring House
A special building called a spring house stood in the middle of the old town. You can still find its ruins today. It was about 20 by 20 feet (6 by 6 meters) in size. Small stone walls were built around the spring in a square shape. The spring house had a timber roof supported by posts and beams.
The Mysterious Cave System
Not far from Paris Springs, there is a large cave system. The State of Missouri has closed this cave to the public. This is done to protect its natural beauty and the wildlife that lives inside.
The Traveling Pastor and the Church
Elbridge Basswell Scott was the pastor of the Methodist Church in Paris Springs. This church is one of the last public buildings still standing from the old town. Pastor Scott was also a general contractor. People say he built the church in Paris Springs, as well as churches in Butterfield and other nearby communities.
Pastor Scott lived in Paris Springs but was a "Circuit Rider." This meant he was a pastor who traveled around a large area, or "circuit," to serve different churches. This system helped small villages have active churches, even if they couldn't support a full-time pastor. Pastor Scott sadly died in a construction accident in Purdy, Missouri. Many people from the region attended his funeral. Very little remains of the old town of Paris Springs since Route 66 was no longer a main highway.
Images for kids
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A map showing Paris Springs Junction in Missouri.
