Cassville is a city in Flat Creek Township, Barry County, Missouri, United States, that is the county seat of Barry County. According to the 2020 census, the population of Cassville was 3,186. Cassville is one of the primary markets and job centers for an estimated 14,000 people living in the surrounding area.

History

The land which would be called Cassville was platted in 1845. A post office was set up the same year. The community was named after Lewis Cass, a former United States Senator and Secretary of War. Cassville was incorporated on March 3, 1847.

During the forced removal of the Cherokee people along the Trail of Tears, a group traveling the northern route made a stop in Cassville, Missouri. According to the journal of Reverend Daniel S. Butrick, who accompanied the Cherokee on their journey.

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This event is one of many documented instances of violence against Cherokee people during their forced relocation under the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The Trail of Tears resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cherokee due to exposure, disease, and mistreatment by both U.S. government agents and civilians.

Cassville served as the Confederate capital of Missouri for one week from October 31 to November 7, 1861. This ended abruptly when the duly elected governor of the State, Claiborne F. Jackson, and his political and military allies were pushed further south by the invading Union army. The Battle of Pea Ridge later secured Missouri for the Union.

The city was connected by rail via the Cassville & Exeter Railroad from July 4, 1896, to September 11, 1956.

The Cassville Ranger Station Historic District, Natural Bridge Archaeological Site, and six sites in Roaring River State Park are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Located in the Ozarks, Cassville and its surrounding area have a densely forested hilly terrain. The city, itself, sits on Flat Creek. Located south of Cassville, Roaring River State Park is a popular recreation spot for hiking, fishing, and camping.

Climate

Climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Cassville had a population of 3,190. The median age was 36.2 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.3 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,256 households in Cassville, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.3% were married-couple households, 17.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 3,266 people, 1,275 households, and 848 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,402 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.8% White, 0.4% African American, 1.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 2.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population.

There were 1,275 households, of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.5% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the city was 40.5 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 19.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census]]

Education

Cassville R-IV School District operates one elementary school, one middle school, one intermediate school, and Cassville High School.

Cassville has a public library, a branch of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library.

Crowder College offers two-year degree programs in Cassville.

Since August 2022 the Cassville school uses corporal punishment again.

Transportation

The city owns a small general aviation airport two miles northwest of Cassville, named the Cassville Municipal Airport.

Notable people

  • Clete Boyer - Major League Baseball player
  • Gene Brown - Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Mary Easley - Oklahoma Senator (2004–2010), Oklahoma Representative (1997–2004), teacher
  • Scott Fitzpatrick - Missouri State Auditor, Missouri State Treasurer, Missouri State Representative
  • Durward G. Hall - U.S. House Representative from Missouri's 7th District
  • Sara Lampe - Missouri House Representative
  • Melissa McFerrin - Head Coach of the Memphis Tigers women's basketball team, Missouri Tigers Women's Basketball player
  • Curtis F. Marbut - Director of the Soil Survey Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Emory Melton - Missouri State Senator 29th district
  • David Sater - Missouri State Senator, Missouri House Representative

See also

  • List of cities in Missouri

References

  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Historic maps of Cassville in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri