Rogersville, Missouri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rogersville, Missouri
City
Location of Rogersville, Missouri
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Counties	Webster, Greene
Area
• Total	3.75 sq mi (9.70 km2)
• Land	3.75 sq mi (9.70 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	1,460 ft (445 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,897
• Density	1,040.59/sq mi (401.74/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	65742
Area code(s)	417
FIPS code	29-62894
GNIS feature ID	0725537

Rogersville is a city located in Greene and Webster counties in the state of Missouri. In 2020, about 3,897 people lived here. It is part of the larger Springfield area. Rogersville was once known as the "Raccoon Capital of the World." In 2006, 417 Magazine said Rogersville was the eighth-best place to live in Southwest Missouri.

History of Rogersville

Rogersville got its name from Doctor Rogers, an early settler in the area. A post office opened in Rogersville in 1882. The Citizens Bank of Rogersville started on December 15, 1908, with $10,000 to help the community.

The Citizens Bank of Rogersville has recorded the city's history. Here are some interesting facts:

In the mid-1800s, the biggest town nearby was Henderson. It had about 300 people. Henderson was located 16 miles east of Springfield. It sat in a valley by a stream, right on the main highway. It was a great spot for a town.

In 1882, the Kansas City and Memphis Railroad came through. It passed two miles south of Henderson. When people learned a train station would be built, a young doctor named Isaac Rogers offered $50. This money would help pay for mapping out the new town's streets and lots. He asked that the new settlement be named after him. J.J. Watts did the first survey.

The first postmaster was chosen in September 1882. By 1904, five mail carriers delivered mail using horses and buggies. Rogersville's population grew to 450 people. In 1884, school was held in the blacksmith shop. A community church was built in 1885. It also had a lodge hall on its second floor. A newspaper, The Rogersville Record, started in October 1915. The first bank opened in 1890 but closed during the Great Depression. The Citizens Bank of Rogersville was officially started in 1908. Rogersville became an official village in 1916. Some street lights were working by 1927. In 1932, US Highway 60 was paved through the town.

There is no city or village called "Logan." The Logan family gave land on Farm Road 164 for Logan Elementary School. This school was built in 1955. In 1965, the Logan School District joined with the Rogersville School District. This combined school system became known as the Logan-Rogersville School District.

There is a place called Logan Cemetery near Logan Elementary School. Also, the old Crossroad Store is at the intersection of Farm Roads 164 and 219. This area is often called Logan.

Around 1929 or 1930, two men robbed the Bank of Rogersville. They stole $981. About a dozen men chased the robbers. One robber was shot, and the other was caught. The captured robber's trial happened in the Rogersville High School gym. He was sent to jail.

In 1957, a fire started in an empty building in Rogersville. It was a Saturday night around 10:30 p.m. The fire quickly grew out of control. Rogersville did not have its own firefighting tools or city water. Calls for help went out to nearby towns. Fire departments from Fordland Air Force Station, Seymour, Ozark, and Marshfield came to help. Four businesses were destroyed, including a market and a new movie theater. The damage was estimated at $75,000.

In 1992, the Webster County Council on Aging created a committee. This committee wanted to help senior citizens. In 1993, they asked for a small tax increase to offer more services. However, the idea did not pass. In 1994, a meeting was held to discuss a Rogersville Senior Center. A temporary center opened in May 1994. After raising money and getting donations, the Rogersville Senior Center officially opened on January 17, 1995.

City Geography

The United States Census Bureau says that Rogersville covers about 3.44 square miles (8.91 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Population Information

2020 Census Details

In 2020, Rogersville had 3,897 people living there. There were 1,533 households and 1,309 families. Most people (89.5%) were White. Other groups included African American (0.5%), Native American (0.9%), and Asian (0.4%). About 4.2% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.

About 32.0% of households had children under 18. Many households (53.5%) were married couples. The average household had 3.67 people. The average family had 3.06 people.

The average age in the city was 28.7 years. About 32.0% of residents were under 18. About 5.9% were 65 or older.

2010 Census Details

In 2010, Rogersville had 3,073 people. There were 1,138 households and 833 families. The city had about 893 people per square mile. There were 1,240 homes. Most people (95.0%) were White. About 3.5% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.

About 46.5% of households had children under 18. Many households (53.0%) were married couples. The average household had 2.70 people. The average family had 3.16 people.

The average age in the city was 29.8 years. About 33.2% of residents were under 18. About 8.9% were 65 or older. The city had slightly more females (51.4%) than males (48.6%).

Local Economy

In August 2017, a new Sonic Drive-In restaurant opened in Rogersville.

Rogersville's economy started to grow more in 2016. More homes were built, and new businesses opened. The Rogersville Area Chamber of Commerce also grew a lot.

Each year, the Rogersville Area Chamber of Commerce gives an award. It's called the Business of the Year Award. It goes to a local business that helps the community. Here are some recent winners:

Arts and Culture

In Rogersville, near Highway B and the train tracks, there is a special Frisco caboose. This caboose is now the Rogersville Caboose Veterans Memorial. The American Legion Goad-Ballinger Post 69 donated it on July 1, 1995. It has a plaque that says:

Dedicated to all American Veterans of War who through their patriotism and valor helped to preserve the freedom of the United States of America for all its people. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty & justice for all.

The City of Rogersville Park had a purple dinosaur on its playground. This dinosaur was very popular. In August 2021, it was stolen. People in the city looked for it, and local businesses offered rewards. In December 2021, a man in Michigan saw the story online. He happened to have the same purple dinosaur. He donated it to Rogersville, and the beloved playground piece returned!

Education in Rogersville

Rogersville has a public library. It is a branch of the Webster County Library.

Students in Rogersville attend schools in the Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District. This district has three elementary schools and two secondary schools. Here are the public schools:

Elementary Schools

• Logan-Rogersville Primary School (for Pre-K to 1st grade)
• Logan-Rogersville Elementary School (for 2nd to 3rd grade)
• Logan-Rogersville Upper Elementary School (for 4th to 6th grade)

Secondary Schools

• Logan-Rogersville Middle School (for 7th to 8th grade)
• Logan-Rogersville High School (for 9th to 12th grade)

City Infrastructure

The Missouri Department of Transportation worked on "Project Freeway: U.S. 60 Rogersville." This project finished in early November 2016. It added three new exits along Highway 60. It also built new outer roads and back roads. The project cost about $27 million. It helped make travel safer and easier.

This project won awards for its design and for helping the community. It had programs like "Young Women in Engineering." This program worked with the Logan-Rogersville School District. It showed high school girls what engineering is like. There was also a program for minority students at Missouri State University. It taught them about highway design and building.

In December 2016, improvements were made to railroad crossings in Rogersville. This project was a team effort. The City of Rogersville, BNSF Railway, and the Missouri Department of Transportation worked together. It cost about $6.7 million.

In 2019, Rogersville started to grow very quickly. Many new homes were being built. The Springfield Business Journal called it "the next boom" in Southwest Missouri. This growth was expected to increase the town's population by at least 50% between 2018 and 2020. A new $100 million project was started. It included new housing and businesses to support the growing population. This fast growth also meant that city services, like the police force, needed to expand.

On April 30, 2019, an EF2 tornado hit the Rogersville area. It damaged 75 houses. Nine school buses were also badly damaged. The city had to borrow school buses from Ozark, Missouri to keep bus routes running. Another EF1 tornado crossed Rogersville on October 21, 2019. This one caused less damage, mostly to "trees and outbuildings."

A new $22 million interchange system is planned for 2023. It will be built at U.S. Route 60 and Highway 125. This project aims to make the roads safer. It will also help reduce car crashes and traffic jams. The construction should be finished by November 2024.

See also

In Spanish: Rogersville (Misuri) para niños