Thomasville

Missouri

   Thomasville is considered to be the oldest settlement in Oregon and Howell Counties.  It is located in a broad river valley.

• 1845 Thomasville was selected as the county seat of the newly formed Oregon County.
• 1846 Post office was established in Thomasville.
• 1847 The first Court House was in use.   It was a log structure designed by John R. Woodside who was the superintendent of public works.
• 1847 Bob Chehan was sentenced to hang for the murder of John Merrill.   The resident doctor bought the right to use Chehan's body from Chehan for a gallon of corn whiskey.
• 1851 Walter & Elizabeth Bellah Donated land for a cemetery, school, and community building.
• 1857 Oregon County was divided into smaller counties.
• 1859 The county seat was moved to Alton.
• 1859 West Plains was named for its location on the plains west of Thomasville.
• 1870 Fenimore Hensley carried mail to Thomasville by way of Not, MO.
• 1979 Post office discontinued.

 The first post office and the town was named after the Thomas family which donated land for the town. In the Rivers Edge Fish and Grill has some nice articles and old photos of the past.