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Title
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Hannah Allison Cole, Marker
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Biographical Text
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Historical road marker with blue background and raised gold lettering. Emblem of the seal of Missouri at the top of the marker.
This marker describes the history of Boonville, as well as highlighting one of it’s earliest settlers, Cole.
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Text
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MISSOURI
BOONVILLE
Historic Boonville’s first settlers were pioneer Mother Hannah Allison Cole and her 9 children who located on the Missouri River bluffs where St. Joseph Hospital now stands, 1810. Hannah, whose husband William T. Cole was killed by Indians, ran first river ferry here. In the War of 1812, her place served a wide area as a neighborhood fort.
Boonville, on trails west and southwest, was laid out in 1817 by Charles Lucas and Asa Morgan and named for Daniel Boone. It became the seat of Cooper County, 1819. Second county in the Boons Lick Region, it was organized, 1818, and named for pioneer Marshall Cooper. Boonville grew as a river port, distribution point, and cultural center. Thespian Hall (Lyric), oldest theatre in use in Mississippi Valley, was built, 1855-57. In 1844, a boarding school opened which is today known as The Kemper School. The first STate Fair was held here in 1853.
The Battle of Boonville, first engagement of the War Between the States in Missouri occurred near town, June 17, 1861. Federals under Gen. Nathaniel Lyon routed untrained State Guards under Gen. John S. Marmaduke.
Erected by State Historical Society of Missouri and State Highway Commission, 1959.
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Date Created
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1959
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Type
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English
Signage
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Project Researcher
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Bysterbusch, Hailey
