History of Stover
The present town was incorporated in 1903. Stover is a city in Morgan County, Missouri. The population was 968 at the 2000 census. Stover is located at 38°26 N, 92°59 W in Haw Creek Township. Elevation is 1052 feet, almost 400 ft. higher than Gravois Mills which accounts for some of the "hills" here.
The area South of Stover was mostly settled by American born pioneers from Tennessee and Kentucky while the area North and West of town was settled primarily by German immigrants. The very first settlers came to the area in the early 1800s. The original town was located southwest of the present location. Accounts as to why the town moved have their differences but the railroad building North of Old Stover had quite a bit to do with the relocation as did a tornado that wiped out the old town later. In 1904 a post office was established in the new town and called Newstover until the closing of the post office in Old Stover in 1905 at which time Newstover became Stover.
Stover is famous for its quilts and quilting businesses some of which are still going. For a small town it has many businesses, a grocery, two banks, a lumber yard, two auto parts stores, Capital Regional Clinic, two elderly living facilities and numerous other small businesses. It also boasts parades and fairs that are quite large for a town of this size. Morgan County R-I has preschool through 12th grade. Unique for a town of this size is its animal shelter and thrift shop. All your donations are tax deductible.
H.K. Welpman and A.F. Fagen who were German immigrants, started Missouri Goldfish Company in 1929 Northwest of Stover. Missouri Goldfish was the first in the United States to domesticate and breed the golden shiner in the early 1950s. Missouri Goldfish is still in operation under the guidance of a third-generation family member, Randy Welpman. Missouri Goldfish was one of the earliest to sustain extensive pond culture in Missouri and probably in the United States. At the time of it's founding there were few if any other private fish culture facilities except for the trout hatcheries located at many of Missouri's springs.
Many vacationers to the lake utilize scenic highway 135 south as an access point to Laurie and many other lake communities.
Dial 9-1-1 for Emergencies
Non-Emergency Phone Numbers:
Stover Rural Fire Department ....
Station #1 .......................................... 573-377-4742
Station #2 .......................................... 573-377-4436
Station #3 .......................................... 573-377-2998
Police Department ................................ 573-377-4300
Highway Patrol Troop F ......................... 573-751-1000
Morgan CO Sheriff Department ............... 573-378-5481
Animal Control ...................................... 573-377-4300
Animal Shelter ...................................... 573-377-4355
Mid-MO Ambulance ............................... 660-433-6466
Poison Control ...................................... 800-392-9111
Baptist
First Baptist ........................................ 573-377-2828
Bethlehem Baptist ................................ 660-368-2992
Mt. Olive Baptist ................................... 660-368-2895
Church of Christ
St. John's United Church of Christ ........... 660-368-2401
Jehovah's Witness
Jehovah's Witnesses ............................. 573-377-4949
Lutheran
Christ Lutheran ..................................... 573-377-2819
Pyrmont Trinity Lutheran and
Brauersville Immanuel Lutheran ............... 660-668-0046
St. Paul's Lutheran Church ..................... 573-377-2824
United Methodist
Florence United Methodist ..................... 660-368-2098
Stover United Methodist ........................ 573-377-2711
Churches:
Superintendents Office ......................... 573-377-2217
High School ......................................... 573-377-2218
Middle School ...................................... 573-377-4284
Elementary School ................................ 573-377-2219
Website: Morgan Co. R-1 School
Church Schools
St Paul Lutheran School ........................ 573-377-2690
Oakridge Country School ....................... 660-368-4170
Schools:
Copyright 2007 - 2008 Lake Family Resources and Relocation. All Rights Reserved.
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Notable people:
- Stover is home to the world famous father and son Bass Champion Anglers, Guido and Dion Hibdon.
- Country singer, Mel Tillis, owns and operates a large ranch south of Stover on Highway 135.
"Home of Missouri Goldfish Co."
