Extinct Towns in Atchison County, Kansas - History and Information

Atchison County Extinct Towns - Page 2

Monrovia - The town got its start as a stage stop on the Overland Stage Route in 1856 and was named after Monrovia in Liberia to represent the Free-State principles. The town was platted in 1856 by a man named Caleb West, the president of the town company, who obviously expected it to become a large town. A post office was opened in September, 1857, and the same year a sawmill was brought in and situated at Stranger Creek by O.P. Hipple, which helped the new settlers build the town. The mill also included a corn grinder. A Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1859. The town

also became a station on the Central Branch of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Because of the large rolling hills in the area the trains had difficulty starting and stopping because of the steep grade.

All that's left of Monrovia's old school, which was open from 1871 to 1967,

is the school bell. Kathy Weiser, May, 2010.

A large school was built in 1871 that would last nearly a century. Despite what appeared to be positive signs for a flourishing town, unfortunately, it never met its promoters' expectations. By the early 1880s it only had a population of about 50 people, but also boasted two stores, the church, and a school. In 1910, it had grown to about 104 people. Its post office closed in November, 1955. The old site of Monrovia, which still has a few scattered homes, is about 15 miles southwest of Atchison on Highway 9.

Mormon Grove - When thousands of Mormons were moving westward to the great Salt Lake Valley between 1848 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, they developed several points of departure along the Missouri River. Mormon Grove was but one of the many outfitting stations utilized by the Mormons. Located about four miles west of Atchison in a grove of young hickory trees, the grove became an important rallying point in 1855-56. The first large group of Mormons debarked the river boats in Atchison in April, 1855 and moved westward to Mormon Grove. There, they immediately began to fence 160 acres and planted crops. The site, at the head of Deer Creek, also served as an excellent camping place with water, wood, and range for stock. Like the other Mormon camps along the Missouri River, it was close enough to the port city so the Mormons could easily purchase supplies. The temporary village also had a small cemetery and a couple of permanent structures, but most residents lived in tents, covered wagons, or make-shift dwellings.

In 1855 eight companies, totaling 2,041 people and 337 wagons, left Mormon Grove for the Salt Lake Valley. Their route across Kansas appears to have been northwest on the "New Ft. Laramie Road" to the vicinity of Kennekuk, and then continuing on the "Old Ft. Laramie Road" as established by Major Wharton in 1844 to the head of Walnut Creek in present Brown County. Unfortunately, for those many pioneers, they were also hit with a cholera epidemic that year, which killed hundreds of them along the way. About 15 people were left at Mormon Grove to await the next year’s immigrants.

During the 1856 season, however, only one company of 97 Mormons left from Mormon Grove. Most immigrants were then going directly by rail from the east coast to Florence, Nebraska. By that time Iowa City, Iowa became the major jumping-off point for Mormon westward travel and Mormon Grove became a forgotten gathering place.

To get there, travel west on Highway 73 from Atchison approximately 4.5 miles and turn south on a section road. The first farmhouse on the west side of the road marks the farm of Mr. Floyd Armstrong, where the old cemetery -- all that is left of Mormon Grove today -- is located. At least sixteen Mormons were buried there, but no traces of the graves remain.

Mount Pleasant - The first settler in the area was a man named Thomas L. Fortune in 1854, who opened a general store. Other early settlers of the Mount Pleasant Township included Michael Wilkins and James Laird, who settled in August, 1854, followed by others such as Jacob Grindstaff, Martin Jones, Levi Bowles, Andrew J. Peebler, Christopher Horn, P. R. King, W. C. Findley, A. S. Speck and Amos Hamon. In March, 1855, a post office was established in Fortune's store and the owner became the first postmaster.

In 1857 a town company was formed and the site was surveyed by John P. Wheeler. In 1858 the first school opened in the fall and two years later the Presbyterians built the first church In 1860. In May, 1862 the Church of Christ was organized, meeting in the school house.

However, the town didn't grow as much as its supporters had hoped, as in August, 1862, the post office was moved to Locust Grove. It was re-established in Mount Pleasant in May, 1864, but was moved again, this time to Potter in February, 1888. The townspeople did without for only two months; however, as the town's post office was established for a third and final time in June of the same year. The post office closed for the last time in February, 1900. Today, there is nothing left of the town and it would be difficult to find the site, but, for an old sign that marks the spot in the middle of a rolling field.

Oak Mills - Located along the Missouri River, the site was originally home to a Kanza Indian village. Later, in the 1740's, French fur traders built Fort Cavagnial several miles to the south. The first American settlers came in June, 1854, from Iatan, Missouri making the settlement one of the earliest in Atchison County. It gained a post office in January, 1868.

It was a busy little town during the years of river traffic and due to its being a station on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. However, by 1910, its population had been reduced to just 86 people; though, it still boasted several stores. Its post office closed its doors in March, 1945. Today, there is nothing left of Oak Mills but a sign erected by the FFA (Future Farmer's of America), one crumbling stone building, and the sounds of the trains that still rumble through the old site. Oak Mills was located about ten miles southeast of Atchison on the River Road.

Reader's Comments: Kathy -- I came upon the Legends of Kansas website yesterday and sure enjoyed some of the pictures that you must have taken just this last month. We just went up to Atchison County, Kansas, yesterday doing some genealogy research and after getting back home I got on the computer and happened on your website. I thought it was very nice.

We have been doing research in the Oak Mills area. My wife's grandfather and great grandfather lived in that area from about 1880 to 1910. Her grandfather was born in Oak Mills in 1898. Her great grandfather and his family show up in the 1880 census as living in the Oak Mills area. That picture you took of the stone building is what's left of the jail. We have a couple of pictures that show some of the other buildings that were located there including the John Davitz General Store. We think my wife's great grandfather was buried somewhere behind this building in an unmarked grave. But don't really know for sure but that is what the family history indicates from other family relatives. We discovered a land record at the courthouse yesterday and think we have an idea of where is once lived near the Oak Mills area.

Anyway, I thought the website was interesting with current pictures of some of the area communities in Atchison County. Please continue to keep up the good work.

Sincerely, Bob Graham, June 2, 2010

Continued Next Page

This one remaining stone building, that was once a jail, is all that

remains in old Oak Mills today, Kathy Weiser, May, 2010.

A sign designates where Oak Mills once stood in an empty field on the

River Road south of Atchison. Kathy Weiser, May, 2010.

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