New London in Ralls County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

New London

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2015

1. New London Marker

Inscription.

New London. . , (side 1) , New London, renowned for its handsome courthouse, was founded, 1819, on the route of the historic Salt River Road by William Jamison. By 1820, it became the seat of a newly organized county named for Daniel M. Ralls, local legislator. Settled mainly by Ky. and Va. pioneers, attracted by the area's salt licks and other resources, Ralls County was once part of the northeast frontier settlement in Spanish Upper Louisiana., Near New London at the present Spalding Springs, Maturin Bouvet had a salt factory in 1792. Indians harassed and finally killed him at his depot on the Mississippi in 1800. Chas. Freemon Delauriere (called Freemore), worked two salt licks in the area, 1799. Sac and Fox tribes ceded the region in 1804. In the war of 18 12, Rangers and Winnebagoes engaged in combat, July 4, 1813, near Fort Mason, a stockade at what is now Saverton., The courthouse, Ralls County's third, was built, 1858, by Francis Kidwell with Chapel Carstarphen as superintendent, for $18,000. Wings were added, 1936. Missouri buildings at 1939 New York and San Francisco World's Fairs were copies of the courthouse facade. (See other side). , (side 2)(Continued from other side). New London serves a county devoted to limestone industry and diversified farming. The high school here was first in Missouri to give a course in Vocational Agriculture, 1917, and one of the State's biggest cement plants is at Ilasco. Salt River, called Auhaha by the Indians, flows through Ralls County. The river is associated with the expression of chagrin, "Up Salt River.", In the Civil War, skirmishes and raids put a stop to the growth of town and county. Mark Twain's brief Civil War service was with pro-Southern troops of Ralls County. New London benefited when the St. Louis and Hannibal R.R. was completed to here, 1876., Other county towns include Saverton, laid out in 1819, on the Mississippi. Near there is Federal Lock and Dam No. 22, opened, 1938. Southwest at Perry, laid out in 1866, is the Mark Twain Research Foundation. Buildings of Van Rensselaer (Presbyterian) Academy, opened, 1851, are north of here. Educator Henry J. Waters (1865-1925) was born in Center. Over 400 Indian village campsites have been found in Ralls and two major Indian trails ran through the county. , Erected by State Historical Society of Missouri , and State Highway Commission, 1957.

(side 1)
New London, renowned for its handsome courthouse, was founded, 1819, on the route of the historic Salt River Road by William Jamison. By 1820, it became the seat of a newly organized county named for Daniel M. Ralls, local legislator. Settled mainly by Ky. and Va. pioneers, attracted by the area's salt licks and other resources, Ralls County was once part of the northeast frontier settlement in Spanish Upper Louisiana.

Near New London at the present Spalding Springs, Maturin Bouvet had a salt factory in 1792. Indians harassed and finally killed him at his depot on the Mississippi in 1800. Chas. Freemon Delauriere (called Freemore), worked two salt licks in the area, 1799. Sac and Fox tribes ceded the region in 1804. In the war of 1812, Rangers and Winnebagoes engaged in combat, July 4, 1813, near Fort Mason, a stockade at what is now Saverton.

The courthouse, Ralls County's third, was built, 1858, by Francis Kidwell with Chapel Carstarphen as superintendent, for $18,000. Wings were added, 1936. Missouri buildings at 1939 New York and San Francisco World's Fairs were copies of the courthouse facade. (See other side)
(side 2)(Continued from other side) New London serves a county devoted to limestone industry and diversified

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farming. The high school here was first in Missouri to give a course in Vocational Agriculture, 1917, and one of the State's biggest cement plants is at Ilasco. Salt River, called Auhaha by the Indians, flows through Ralls County. The river is associated with the expression of chagrin, "Up Salt River."

In the Civil War, skirmishes and raids put a stop to the growth of town and county. Mark Twain's brief Civil War service was with pro-Southern troops of Ralls County. New London benefited when the St. Louis and Hannibal R.R. was completed to here, 1876.

Other county towns include Saverton, laid out in 1819, on the Mississippi. Near there is Federal Lock and Dam No. 22, opened, 1938. Southwest at Perry, laid out in 1866, is the Mark Twain Research Foundation. Buildings of Van Rensselaer (Presbyterian) Academy, opened, 1851, are north of here. Educator Henry J. Waters (1865-1925) was born in Center. Over 400 Indian village campsites have been found in Ralls and two major Indian trails ran through the county.

Erected by State Historical Society of Missouri
and State Highway Commission, 1957

Erected 1957 by State Historical Society of Missouri, and Missouri State Highway Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities

New London Marker (<i>side 2</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2015

2. New London Marker (side 2)

• Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, The State Historical Society of series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.

Location. 39° 35.162′ N, 91° 24.062′ W. Marker is in New London, Missouri, in Ralls County. It is on Main Street (Business U.S. 61) north of 4th Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, directly in front of the Ralls County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 311 South Main Street, New London MO 63459, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Missouri’s Mark Twain Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jeremiah Vardeman (approx. 6.2 miles away); In Memory of William Henry Hatch (approx. 7.3 miles away); Churches of Ilasco (approx. 7.6 miles away); Ilasco (approx. 7.6 miles away); Ilasco Bridge (approx. 7.6 miles away); Schools of Ilasco (approx. 7.6 miles away); Ilasco Missouri (approx. 7.7 miles away); "Ilasco" Walk of Memories (approx. 7.7 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. History of Ralls County and New London Missouri

New London Marker (<i>wide view; looking north along Main Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2015

3. New London Marker (wide view; looking north along Main Street)

. The first white men to set foot in what is now Ralls County were Doctor Saugrain and Louis Bouvet, two Frenchmen who came from New Orleans. With their crew they came down the Mississippi River to the mouth of Salt River, to what is now the present site of New London. The pioneers remained happy and prosperous until the year 1812, when due to British influence upon the Indians, the Indians became enemies of the settlers. (Submitted on April 10, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. New London (Wikipedia). The community was named after the city of London, England. A post office called New London has been in operation since 1820, the same year it became the county seat of Ralls County. The Ralls County Courthouse in New London was built in 1858 and is the oldest court house in Missouri. (Submitted on April 10, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

New London Marker (<i>side 2; wide view; Ralls County Courthouse in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2015

4. New London Marker (side 2; wide view; Ralls County Courthouse in background)

Ralls County Courthouse (<i>view from near marker; World War I cannon on right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2015

5. Ralls County Courthouse (view from near marker; World War I cannon on right)

As the front of the old court house is one of the very few examples of true Grecian architecture in the Middle West, it was chosen as the model for the Missouri Building at both the New York and the San Francisco Worlds Fairs, in 1939. (from "History of Ralls County and New London Missouri")

New London, 1819-1994, 175 Years (<i>mural a few blocks from marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2015

6. New London, 1819-1994, 175 Years (mural a few blocks from marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,171 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 10, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.