The photographer, looking downstream along the Missouri shore, shows in detail the north end of the town, the southern half of it being well hidden by the huge trees which grow down from the hills to the river's edge. The hills rise sharply from the shore line, but first there is a fairly level strip of land, evidently built up through the river's action, along the water's edge. This flat shelf was evidently eyed with pleasure by early boat operators who made it a business to land their craft there and take on shipments of grain and livestock from farmers of the area.
Years ago livestock was driven miles over wagon trails to the landing for shipment. The Frisco railroad is shown between the buildings and the river. The long building in the center of the picture and near the railroad was the original post office structure. This building is said to be more than years old. A store was operated there by Russell Hines, who was also postmaster.
August Litzelfelner also operated a store. Neelys Landing, while north of Cape Girardeau, is best reached over the farm-to-market road running from Highway 25 at Fruitland to the community.
The need for improved roads direct from Cape Girardeau north through Egypt Mills, Oriole and Neelys Landing is apparent and residents of the area show no hesitancy in broaching the subject to a non-resident.
From Neelys a rural road winds northward through the hills into the High Hills school section and fingers out to partly serve a sparsely inhabited area. Schenimann remained the postmaster until David B. Seibert took over on October 12, After David Seibert left the job as postmaster, Joseph C. Litzelfelner took over on December 19, The name of the nearest post office on this route was at Leemon, a distance of almost eight miles.
Russell, who took over on November 18, William Russell remained postmaster until June 22, , when Emily A. Russell took over. The relationship between William and Emily Russell is unknown to me at this time. The information on her report varies only slightly from those mentioned before.
Her report suggests the post office and her store were about yards from the Mississippi River, a distance that would change with a higher or lower river stage. The nearest railroad station had been the Frisco since , which was just a few dozen yards away from the post office. Postal Service, Mrs. Mattie M. Hines, who became the acting postmaster on February 1, Huntsinger, former postmaster, retired on account of age. And upon my temporary appointment, I desired to change locations for my convenience.
The second handbill Jackie Parker has tells what happened to the store and the post office. A portion of the handbill text follows:. Since we cannot compete with changing times, Chain Stores, and good roads, and because we realize that the Rural Grocery Stores will soon be just a memory along with the Horse and Buggy, the Show Boat, the Hoop Skirt, and the Rural Post Office, we have decided to sell out our stock at Wholesale prices, and close the store.
We realize closing our Store may cause inconvenience to those few customers who have remained loyal to us, but we hope they will understand it takes many, many customers to keep a General Store in operation. This handbill announces the end of almost years of postal service in the community, and it basically announces the impending death of a small town.
In the announcement, the Hockenberrys mention the neighborhood school. In fact, there were two—one for white children and one for black children. Research for this essay so far has yielded records pertaining only to the black school.
The records also show the school existed for a total of 11 consecutive years, with the exception of the to school year, for which no record was found. The last recorded school year was to Lattin had an enrollment of 19 students. There were a total of days in the school term, during which time the average attendance was 8 students per day. The youngest student was 6 and the oldest was The average age for the students was 8.
During the second school year, to , many names of students reappear. Bessie Mae remembers living in a small house as a child, taking baths in a No. Why the school closed is a mystery at this point. It could have been that a number of quarry workers had moved away to find work elsewhere, taking their children with them.
Above all these things, the Mississippi River remained the most essential ingredient in this community mix. Ivy and Davie McClain would fish with hoop nets in the river and haul in catfish almost half their size. Harvey Burnett was said to have caught a pound catfish in They leathered the oar locks and the oars. Long before battery-powered beacons became a necessity or solar-power became the standard, fishermen like the McClains would maintain kerosene lamps on both sides of the river.
The job required polishing the lens, refueling the lamp and trimming the wick. These lamps could burn continually for 72 hours. The Mississippi River, however, sometimes failed to offer a tranquil self to fishermen and travelers. Before a levee system was created and when the river would rise, the water spread over hundreds of acres of Illinois farmland. The U.
The Corps recorded a river-stage high at Moccasin Springs in at During the Flood of , the gauge high read If water volume data existed in as it does today, we could see more clearly how severe the Flood of really was.
You can also use our search box in order to locate any other places that you are interested in finding. Take advantage of all of the history and culture that Neelys Landing is filled with via the help of our comprehensive list. From observation points, to historical sites, monuments, spas, find everything that this city has to offer.
You will also find information regarding cultural centers such as theaters and opera houses for live entertainment. Monuments: Bald Knob Cross. Here, find some of the best malls that boast the widest selections or charming markets that offer a variety of quality local goods. Some even offer tours that way you can get an in depth idea into all that they have to offer. In addition, Neelys Landing boasts many architecturally elaborate libraries that not only hold copious amounts of books, but also act as great studying spaces.
However, whenever you are in the mood for a more dynamic activity, there are a number of different parks, athletic fields, and golf courses that you can visit. In addition, however, you will also find the locations of the nearest airports. Detailed online map of Neelys Landing, Missouri.
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