West Plains, Missouri is the county seat of Howell County, and the largest city within 100 miles of south-central Missouri. Nearby communities include Brandsville, Pomona, Pottersville, Rover, South Fork, and White Church. Portions of the Mark Twain National Forest are east and west of the city. The first settlement in the area was by Josiah Howell, for whom the county was named, who built a home in the Howell Valley in 1832. During the American Civil War, the area suffered near constant conflict due to its location near the border between the North and the South. Confederate General James McBride gave West Plains residents an ultimatum to either join the Confederate army or flee the area. By the end of the war, nearly 90% of the population of the entire county had left, while others chose to fight for the Confederacy. West Plains was mostly burned to the ground, and the entire county was devastated, largely from guerrilla warfare. Recovery was slow following the war, but gradually people began to move into the area and businesses were established. In 1928, 37 people were killed and another 22 injured in an explosion in downtown West Plains, which collapsed the second floor of a dance hall where about 60 people were gathered, and damaged the nearby courthouse so badly that it was left vacant until late 1933, when it was demolished. Some of the dead were never identified. Then, the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, closing banks and businesses. Again, the town recovered and its population exceeded 11,000 at the time of the 2010 census. Notable residents of West Plains have included Union General Egbert Brown, who was residing in West Plains at the time of his death in 1902. Preacher Roe, a former Major League pitcher, moved there upon retirement, and Bill Virdon, a Major League player and manager, graduated from West Plains High School. The actor, Dick Van Dyke, was born there.
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Recommended Resources
Greater West Plains Chamber of Commerce
Representing more than five hundred businesses in the West Plains, Missouri region, the non-profit organization offers services to strengthen existing business, to encourage new businesses, and to develop marketing strategies for increasing tourism. Meeting schedules, event registration, a calendar of events, and a guide to the community are set forth.
http://wpchamber.org/
The non-profit, volunteer-operated cultural center is housed in the former home of Mr. and Mrs. James P. Harlin, former mayor of West Plains, Missouri, which was constructed in 1889 and known as Shadow Lawn by the Harlin family. A profile of the museum, its collections and programs are put forward, with a calendar of events, directions, and contacts.
http://www.harlinmuseum.com/
Held at the fairgrounds in West Plains, Missouri each July, the multi-day event features a truck pull competition, demolition derby, monster trucks, a carnival, and other events, which are highlighted here, along with schedules, a booth rental agreement, fair entry form, and a minor’s assumption of risk acknowledgement form. Prices are included.
http://www.heartoftheozarksfair.net/
The primary duty of the county assessor’s office is to appraise and assess all real and personal property within the jurisdiction of Howell County, which includes residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties. The vehicles used by the office are pictured and described, and general information about the office is given.
http://howellcountyassessor.com/
Located in south-central Missouri, the county seat is West Plains. The official county web site offers a guide and contacts for county officers and offices, a staff directory, election places and schedules, and profiles of the county’s primary cities and towns. Data and statistics are also included.
http://howellcounty.net/
Broadcasting from West Plains, Missouri, Ozark Radio News is a member of the Ozark Radio Network, which includes six radio stations. Updated frequently, the site offers local news, sports stories, weather forecasts and reports, obituaries, and other features, including contact data.
http://www.ozarkradionews.com/
The West Plains, Missouri facility hosts a variety of events, including concerts, circuses, stage shows, athletic events, conferences, and conventions. Directions and a map showing its location, a community calendar, ticket information, and an overview of the facilities are featured.
http://www.civiccenter.net/
Founded as a weekly newspaper in 1885, a daily edition was added in 1903 an the weekly edition was dropped in 1946. Offering local and AP news, opinion columns and editorials, letters to the editor, sports stories, an automotive section, calendar of events and other features, the newspaper is published in West Plains, Missouri. Photos, video, an obituaries are included.
http://www.westplainsdailyquill.net/
A member organization of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, the West Plains, Missouri BPOE club was chartered in 1969. Its facilities are highlighted, including its club rental policies, sponsored community programs, projects and events, as well as general information about the organization.
http://westplainselks.com/
The ISO Class 4 municipal department offers protection from fires, natural disasters, and hazardous materials incidents to the people of West Plains, Missouri. Its history, organizational structure, stations, apparatus, and a calendar of events are posted, with photographs, video and other resources.
http://westplainsfd.org/
Located in the heart of the Ozarks, West Plains is the largest city within a hundred miles of south-central Missouri. The official municipal web site introduces its city council, citizen boards, and administrative personnel. Council agendas and minutes are published to the site, along with a city code book, calendar of events, and area maps.
http://westplains.net/
