Phelps County, Missouri
Phelps County, Missouri, was established November 13, 1857. The county was named for the honorable John Smith Phelps, then prominent Missourian and U.S. Congressman, and later governor of Missouri from 1877-1881. The first county court convened on November 25, 1857 in the John Dillon cabin. The historic courthouse was begun in mid-summer of 1860, used as a union hospital during the Civil War and served as the courthouse until February, 1994, at which time all county offices were relocated in the new Phelps County Courthouse. The new courthouse was dedicated on May 22, 1994.
Rolla, Missouri - is the nearest large town and offers all the amenities and comforts of home.
Rolla will surprise and delight you with its colorful history lessons and vivid reminder of “how things were”. Take a step back in time and experience Rolla’s fascinating railroad history or “Get Your Kicks on Route 66”! Catch a glimpse of a younger America along this famous historic highway once known as the “Mother Road”.
Broadway talent can be found right here in Rolla. Ozark Actor’s Theatre, one of only two professional theatres in Rural Missouri, and Missouri S&T’s Leach Theatre are wonderful venues to explore the performing arts. From orchestras to comedians, illusionist to acrobats, the options are endless.
If galleries and museums are your forte’, Rolla has that too! Several artists and artisans are drawn to the region by its natural beauty, so the art scene in Rolla is a lively one. We invite you to visit area galleries and art exhibits.
Rolla offers a wonderful variety of recreational opportunities. SplashZone, fitness facilities, golf courses, go carts, parks with lakes for fishing, the possibilities are endless! Some of the most beautiful waterways are just outside the Rolla area. They are perfect for fishing canoeing and enjoying the pristine beauty of the Ozarks.
Be sure to not miss the numerous wineries located in St. James. For the outdoor enthusiasts, Mark Twain National Forest offers thousands of public land for camping, hunting, hiking and exploring. Maramec Spring is an exceptionally beautiful spring and produces an average of 96,000,000 gallons of water per day. The spring branch here is a mile long, with no fishing allowed upstream of the road bridge. Unlike the other three Missouri trout parks, Maramec has no separate fishing zones. Owned and operated by the foundation authorized and funded up by Mrs. Lucy Wortham James, 300 of the park's 1800 acres are available for public use.