Polk

Robert E. Acock Papers, 1838-1866 (C4101)
0.1 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The papers of Robert E. Acock contain correspondence, a Polk County plat, and legal papers pertaining to the Acock and Robinson families of Polk County, Missouri.

Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service Aerial Photographs, 1938-1979 (P0335)
107.5 linear feet

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Missouri county aerial photographs produced by the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service.

American Revolution Bicentennial, Missouri Committee for Agriculture Papers, 1974-1976 (C4276)
1.2 cubic feet (42 folders), 1 audio tape

 Finding Aid

The papers of the committee contain correspondence, newsletters, reports, updates, events awards programs, lists of elected members, historical information on “Centennial Farms” and “Liberty Trees,” meeting minutes, announcements, newspaper clippings, and audiovisual material for a slide presentation entitled “The Spirit of ’76.”

Baptist Association Annual Meeting Records, 1882-1933 (R0644)
(1 roll of microfilm)

 Finding Aid

The Baptist Association Annual Meeting Records contain microfilm copies of annual meeting minutes of Primitive Baptist associations in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, and Oklahoma. The most complete series are for the Center Creek and Ozark associations of Missouri. The minutes include the proceedings of the associations, lists of churches, officers, and representatives, the articles of faith and rules of decorum, and correspondence with other associations.

Carolyn R. Bergseid Postcard Collection, 1906-1944 (P0548)
28 postcards

Postcards of St. Joseph, Kansas City, Springfield, St. Louis, Bolivar, and the University of Missouri Columns.

Cassinda Bolin Papers, 1872-1896 (R1388)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Cassinda Bolin Papers contains photocopies of correspondence and inscriptions found in the personal Bible of Cassinda Bolin.

Bolivar Board of Trade Collection, 1887 (R1178)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is a certificate of membership, dated July 11, 1887, for J.H. Affleck in the Bolivar Board of Trade at Bolivar in Polk County, Missouri. The certificate is signed by T.H.B. Dunnegan, president, and A. J. Hunter, secretary.

Bolivar Creamery Company Records, 1889-1892 (R0411)
0.1 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Bolivar Creamery Company records contain the articles of association, certificate of incorporation, and minutes of meetings of directors and stockholders for the company located in Bolivar, Polk County, Missouri from 1889-1891. Records from a subsequent company, the Bolivar Milk Company, organized in 1892 are also included under this title.

Bolivar Ministerial Alliance, "Polk County Churches: An Historical Perspective", 1985 (R0778)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is an historical survey of religious congregations in Polk County, Missouri, published by the Bolivar Ministrerial Alliance upon request from the Polk County Historical Society.

Boller Brothers Architectural Records, 1910-1982 (K0065)
9.31 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Architectural drawings and other supporting documents for the Boller Brothers firm who specialized in theater design

John F. Bradbury, Jr. Postcard Collection, 1889-2022 (R1551)
4 cubic feet (122 folders, 4,432 postcards)

 Finding Aid

The John F. Bradbury, Jr. Postcard Collection contains postcards collected by Bradbury, containing images from the Ozarks and Southern Missouri. The postcards consist of real photograph, commercially printed, and illustrated postcards. The images mainly feature Missouri towns, railroads, Route 66, resorts, and rivers.

Clinton High School Collection, 1945 (R1250)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is a program for a football game between the Clinton High School Cardinals and Bolivar High School, played at Clinton in Henry County, Missouri, on September 21, 1945.

Dunnegan Family Papers, 1852-1997 (SP0046)
0.4 cubic foot (22 folders, 50 photographs)

 Finding Aid

The Dunnegan Family Papers consist of photographs, military papers from the Civil War and World War I, souvenirs and ephemera from Civil War reunions, legal and official documents, maps,  local history publications and a notebook featuring the notes about a Middle School student’s favorite 1940s college sports teams. The papers were collected by members of the Dunnegan family from Bolivar, Missouri, but information about the Stalling family is also included.   

Farmers and Merchants Bank, Humansville, Missouri Records, 1901-1932 (R0407)
(1 roll of microfilm)

 Finding Aid

The Farmers and Merchants Bank, Humansville, Missouri Records contain the minutes and monthly meetings of the Board of Directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Humansville, Polk County, Missouri. The minutes include certifications of elections of directors, appointments of officers, lists of past due loans and overdrawn accounts, and reports of state bank examiners.

Freemasons, Bolivar Lodge No. 195 Records, 1889-1957 (R0756)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

These are directories, calendars, bylaws, and calling cards for the Masonic organization at Bolivar in Polk County, Missouri. Included are officers' directories for 1889 and 1900, membership booklets for 1950, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1959, and 1960, bylaws for 1956, and five calling cards.

Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Missouri, Aldrich Post No. 536 Records, 1892-1897 (C3529)
0.08 cubic feet (4 folders)

 Finding Aid

List of members and their service records, minutes of meetings, and cash expenditures of a post in Aldrich, Polk County, MO.

Ralph Gravely Scrapbook, 1910-1914 (P0856)
49 photographs

Copy photos from scrapbook of Gravely, manager of Bolivar Free Press. Includes photos of Gravely family, Bolivar, and the University of Missouri.

Sarah Guitar Collection, no date (C3391)
1.5 cubic feet (5 card files), 2 rolls of microfilm

 Finding Aid

Hunter Family Papers, 1864-1880 (R0469)
0.3 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Hunter Family Papers contain photocopies and typescript copies of correspondence of the Hunter and Hagler families of Jasper, Lawrence, and Polk counties in Missouri. The letters were written by Elizabeth Hunter and her daughters, Priscilla A. Hunter and Charlotte Elizabeth (Hunter) Hagler, and were addressed to another daughter, Margaret (Hunter) Newberry. Topics include news of family and friends, turmoil during the Civil War, farm life, and religious matters.

David A. James Papers, 1790-2008 (C4126)
5 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The research material of a hotel management instructor, whose work resulted in the publication Historic Hotels of Missouri: Hotels, Inns, and Taverns of 19th Century Missouri.

A.J. Jamieson Letter, 1851 (C2707)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

To William P. Hubbard, Somerville, Two Mile Prairie, Boone County, MO, from Bolivar, MO, May 8, 1851.

Discusses his religious philosophy, family, and personal affairs.

Elisha Middleton Jennings Civil War Letters, 1863 (C2619)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Eight letters Jennings wrote to his fiancée, while stationed at Corinth, MS.

Kansas City, Fort Scott, and Memphis Railroad Company Collection, circa 1890s (R1071)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This collections contains "Snap Shots in South Missouri," a promotional booklet to encourage land sales along the Kansas City, Fort Scott, and Memphis, and Kansas City, Clinton and Springfield Railroads in Missouri. The area is presented as ideal for fruit-culture and raising livestock. Booklet includes vies along the railroad lines in Missouri and Arkansas.

R. J. Martin Papers, 1946-1955 (SP0095)
4 cubic feet (103 folders, 1 oversize folder, 60 photographs)

 Finding Aid

The R. J. Martin Papers contain records, correspondence, contracts, and photographs from Ralph Joseph “Joe” Martin’s tenure as Missouri-Arkansas representative for the United States Department of the Interior Southwest Power Association office in Springfield, Missouri.

Missouri Extension Homemakers Association, Inc., Sacred Stones and Stained Glass Windows Project Records, 1977-1980 (C3723)
7.1 cubic feet (334 folders)

 Finding Aid

Statewide documentation of local churches by county. Includes cultural arts reports, church histories, floor plans, architectural details, clippings, slides, photographs, and miscellany.

Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs, Sixth District Records, 1932-1943 (R1175)
(1 volume)

 Finding Aid

These are the secretary's minutes of the annual meetings of the Sixth District, Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs. The record book includes minutes of the twenty-ninth through fortieth annual meetings, 1932-1943.

Missouri Forestry Records, 1929-1994 (R1341)
2.25 cubic feet (53 folders)

The records of Missouri Forestry contain materials from the administration of directors George O. White, Osal B. Capps, and Jerry Presley. This includes materials related to Smokey Bear, fire safety, and the promotion of science, practice, and standards of forestry.

Lynn Morrow Papers, 1804-2015 (R1000)
24 cubic feet (1051 folders, 5 oversize folders, 11,170 photographs, 852 negatives)

 Finding Aid

The Lynn Morrow papers contain correspondence and research papers, with an additional significant collection of late twentieth-century promotional and advertising items. The papers reflect major areas of Morrow’s research on the southwest Missouri region; Iron, Shannon, and Washington counties; Theodore Pease Russell and his writings; and the writings of Silas C. Turnbo. The collection also includes a large selection of promotional publications and ephemera associated with late 20th century tourism in Missouri and Arkansas.

Old Path Association of Baptist Churches Records, 1896-1949 (R0646)
(1 roll of microfilm)

 Finding Aid

The Old Path Association of Baptist Churches Records contain microfilm copies of annual session minutes of the Old Path Association of Baptist Churches in Benton, Hickory, Polk, and St. Clair counties in Missouri. Included are minutes of the meetings, the articles of faith, rules of decorum, lists of churches, officers, and representatives, statistical information, and correspondence with other associations.

Osage River Association of Regular Baptists Records, 1847 (R0285)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The Osage River Association of Regular Baptists Records contain meeting minutes of the Osage River Association from 1847. The Association was composed of Baptist churches in Benton, Camden, Polk, and Webster counties.

Ozark Association of Primitive Baptists Records, 1904-1941 (R0995)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

These are published minutes of annual sessions of the Ozark Association of Primitive Baptists, which consisted of member congretaitions in Dallas, Greene, Polk, Webster, and Wright Counties in Missouri. Minutes are available for meetigns in 1904, 1906-1910, 1913-1915, 1917-1924, and 1941.

Pleasant Hope Community Fair Collection, 1936 (R0947)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is the catalog and premium list for the Fourteenth Annual Pleasant Hope Community Fair, also called the Pleasant Hope Educational and Agricultural Fair. The event was held on November 5-7, 1936 at Pleasant Hope in Polk County, Missouri.

Ramsay Place Names File, 1928-1945 (C2366)
6 cubic feet (12 boxes), 4 rolls of microfilm

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Card file of origins of Missouri place names, compiled by students of Robert L. Ramsay, University of Missouri professor of English. Cards are in alphabetical order by place name.

William A. Ruyle Papers, circa 1864 (R0033)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The William A. Ruyle Papers contain a transcript of a letter written by William A. Ruyle to his father, describing his wartime experiences with the 5th Regiment, Missouri Infantry. It includes accounts of the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and events prior to the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Sellers Family Photographs, no date (P0574)
4 photographs

Photos of the Sellers family and farm near Bolivar, MO, ca. 1900.

Sergent Family Letters, 1943-1945 (C4583)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Transcriptions of World War II letters from brothers John Denzil and Dwight W. Sergent, soldiers from Halfway, Missouri, to family members. The letters are written while John served in India and Burma (now Myanmar) and Dwight in North Africa and Italy. Also includes an original letter from Dwight while in officer training at the U.S. Naval Reserves Midshipmen's School in Chicago.

Simón Bolívar Memorial Foundation Commemorative Program Collection, 1948 (R0775)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is a souvenir commemorative program for the dedication of a statue of Simón Bolívar at Bolivar in Polk County, Missouri, on July 5, 1948.  The Presidents of the United States and Venezuela attended the ceremony.

Avington Wayne Simpson Diary, 1861-1865 (C2993)
1 roll of microfilm

 Finding Aid

This diary kept by a Polk County, MO, resident, contains short concise entries dealing with the daily events of a Confederate Missouri State Guard unit organized in July 1861. Simpson participated in the 1864 summer campaign through the Kennesaw Mountains, including the fall of Atlanta.

Noelle Louis Soren Papers, 1904-2008 (K0525)
3.84 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Southwest Missouri Library Service, Inc., Records, 1957-1982 (SP0084)
1.5 cubic feet (37 folders, 2 photographs)

 Finding Aid

The Southwest Missouri Library Service, Inc., Records contain the by-laws, meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, and membership papers of Southwest Missouri Library Service, Inc., headquartered in Bolivar, Missouri.

Southwest Missouri Resource Conservation and Development Records, 1964-2011 (SP0009)
28 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The records consist of the financial documents, correspondence, project notes and publications pertaining to the operation of the non-profit environmental organization known as Southwest Missouri Resource Conservation and Development. 

Southwest Missouri Collection, 1864-2014 (SP0017)
1 cubic foot (43 folders, 34 photographs)

 Finding Aid

The Southwest Missouri Collection is an artificial collection combining miscellaneous small acquisitions related to southwest Missouri individuals, places, organizations, and events. Material continues to be added to the collection.

Springfield-Branson, Missouri, Metropolitan Area, Photograph Collection, 1884-1965 (P1109)

An artificial collection of photographs of Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk, Webster, Stone, and Taney Counties.

St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Company Collection, 1852, 1916-1984 (R1506)
18 cubic feet (14 folders, 81 volumes, 33 oversize volumes)

 Finding Aid

The St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Company Collection contains records of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Company “Frisco.” These records include AFE completion reports, ICC valuations, equipment registers and inventories, and materials on corporate history.

St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company Records, 1859-1980 (R0362)
(178 cubic feet)

 Finding Aid

These are corporate minutes and financial account books, and other records of the St. Louis-San Francisco ("Frisco") Railway Company (1916-1980) and predecessor, subsidiary, and constituent companies, most notably the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway (1876-1896) and the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad (1896-1916). The "Frisco" operated in Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. It became part of the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1980. Also of note are four architectural drawing boxes that include the blueprints for structures along the St. Louis-San Francisco Line. A detailed inventory of the drawings is included in each of the four boxes.

Mark Stauter Collection, 1852-1980 (R1432)
2 cubic feet (120 folders)

 Finding Aid

The Mark Stauter Collection consist of materials donated by Dr. Mark Stauter, the former director of the State Historical Society of Missouri's Rolla Research Center. The papers cover a variety of topics related to Missouri history.

Edward E. Stout Genealogical Collection, 1890-2002 (SP0068)
3 cubic feet (67 folders, 2 volumes)

 Finding Aid

The Edward E. Stout Genealogical Collection contains correspondence, genealogical research, family charts, photographs, and manuscripts related to the Fulbright and Stout families.

Turkey Creek Missionary Baptist Church (Polk County, Mo.) Records, 1841-1864, 1990 (C4529)
0.2 cubic feet (3 folders)

 Finding Aid

One record book including meeting minutes of the church.

U.S. Work Projects Administration, Historical Records Survey of Missouri, 1935-1942 (C3551)
302 cubic feet (24,282 folders); also available on 817 rolls of microfilm

 Finding Aid

Correspondence, records, and working files. Originally designed to survey and inventory all county government records, the survey finally included inventories of church records, manuscript collections, vital statistics, American imprints, and federal archives. Incorporates records of the Federal Writers Project for Missouri.

Western Missouri Land-O-Lakes Association Collection, circa 1962-1965 (R0823)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

These are two map brochures published by the Western Missouri Land-O-Lakes Association, to promote tourism in the area including the "Upper Arm" of the Lake of the Ozarks, Pomme de Terre Lake, and the planned Stockton Lake and Kaysinger Bluff (later Harry S. Truman) Reservoir.