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History of Versailles
Versailles is the county seat of Morgan County, Missouri. The population was 2,565 at the 2000 census. Versailles is located at 38°25 N, 92°50 W and its elevation is 1033 ft.
The name is not pronounced like Versailles, France; it is more phonetic for the English language. Instead, it is pronounced ["ver-salz"]. Morgan County was organized in 1833 when it was separated from Cooper County. It is named in honor of the Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan. Versailles was made an incorporated village February 13th 1866. Originally the town was long and narrow, being three blocks wide and twelve blocks in length. North and south there were two streets, and ten running east and west. The highest point was selected for the location for the courthouse and a public square. Before the town was built up it was rumored that the view was vast from this point and you could see almost the whole county especially to the North and West of the town. Versailles was known for its pre-lake fishing guides (as in before there was a Lake of the Ozarks). Versailles lies in Haw Creek and Moreau townships.
Currently Versailles is the home of many small businesses, and a few larger ones. It is fast becoming a shopping hub for the area especially since it's the county seat and people can take care of almost everything here without going to the larger towns whether it be get your lawnmower fixed, buy groceries, pay taxes, or go to the doctor (there are two clinics, St. Marys and Capital Regional) or take your pet to one of the two vets. The schools are well rated and include pre-school through 12th grade. The Apple Festival in the fall is one of the prime attractions of the area. A beautiful new library adds a much needed improvement to the town. North of town there are many Mennonite families with small home businesses which add to the quaint antique flavor of the town Combine that with a state of the art Justice Building and improvements continuously going on in town and you have a VERY nice place to live.. The Animal Orphanage located on HWY W is the local animal shelter for those of us who are concerned with our four footed friends.
From Wikipedia:
As with most small towns in America, the local schools sports teams provide the city and area with entertainment and excitement. Versailles Tigers compete in the Tri-County Conference with major rivals California Pintos and Eldon Mustangs. Other schools in the conference are the Blair Oaks Falcons, School of the Osage Indians, and Warsaw Wildcats. The Camdenton Lakers and Tipton Cardinals used to be in the conference. Other schools played have been the Boonville Pirates and Cole Camp Bluebirds. The school has two appearances in the state final four in basketball. 1947 they finished second in state, while in 2005 they finished third. The school has also had 3 high school All-Americans; Bud Heiniman in 1947, who played for University of Missouri, Bill Laurie in 1970 who went on to play for University of Memphis, and 1977 with Barry Laurie who played for University of Missouri. In 2002, the Tigers football went 10-0 in the regular season.
Morgan County R-II high school was rated as one of the 29 best high schools in Missouri (out of 1130) by U.S. News and World Reports in December of 2007.
Jacob's Cave is a very popular local attraction. It was founded north of Gravois Mills and South of Versailles in 1875 by Jacob Craycraft. There you can see evidence of six ice ages and three earthquakes, along with; prehistoric bones, stalagmites, stalactites, and helectites. Also the "Pigeon Swap" held in the fall and spring has everything from pygmy goats to collectibles and antiques for sale and trade near Jacobs Cave.
Built in 1877, the Martin Hotel in Versailles is another popular attraction and is home to the Morgan County Historical Museum. This museum offers 28 rooms, each room with a different theme that highlights Missouri pioneer life through antiques and artifacts. Exhibits include a chapel room, a barber shop, and a school room. Martin Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Dial 9-1-1 for Emergencies
Non-Emergency Phone Numbers:
Fire Department .............................. 573-378-4634
Police Department ........................... 573-378-4634
Highway Patrol Troop F .................... 573-751-1000
Morgan CO Sheriff Department........... 573-378-5481
Mid-MO Ambulance .......................... 660-433-6466
Rural Fire Protect. ............................ 573-378-5901
Animal Control ................................. 573-378-2275
Poison Control ................................. 800-392-9111
Churches:
Assembly of God
First Assembly of God ....................... 573-378-5225
Baptist
2nd Baptisst .................................... 573-378-5257
Calvary Baptist ................................. 573-378-4798
First Baptist ..................................... 573-378-4693
Lamine Baptist ................................. 573-378-5420
Locust Baptist ................................. 573-378-7090
Trinity Baptist .................................. 573-378-6175
Catholic
Saint Philip Benizi ............................. 573-378-5958
Christian
First Christian Church ........................ 573-378-5515
Christ Church .................................. 573-378-5548
Lutheran
Grace Lutheran ............................... 573-378-5512
Mennonite
Bethel Mennonite ............................ 573-378-4878
Beulah Mennonite ............................ 573-378-6372
Cornerstone Mennonite .................... 573-378-2535
Versailles Mennonite ........................ 573-378-5661
Pentecostal
Family Worship Center ...................... 573-378-4484
United Pentecostal .......................... 573-378-5301
Presbyterian
Westminster Presbyterian ................. 573-378-4975
United Methodist
Versailles United Methodist ................ 573-378-4042
Superintendents Office
913 W. Newton ............................. 573-378-5319
High School ................................... 573-378-4697
Middle School Grades 6-8 ................. 573-378-5432
Elementary School .......................... 573-378-4272
School Bus Garage .......................... 573-378-4296
Website: Morgan County R-II Schools
Other
Versailles Christian School.................. 573-378-4723
Parents as Teachers ........................ 537-378-4272
Head Start ..................................... 573-378-5929
Schools:
Services:
Utilities
Water and Sanitation
City of Versailles
Rate info: Kay Williams ................... 573-378-4634
Service info:
David Avey.............................. Fax: 573-378-4632
Electricity and Natural Gas
Ameren UE .................................... 573-681-7517
Co-Mo ........................................... 660-433-5521
Propane
All Star Gas ................................... 573-378-4621
Gygr Gas ....................................... 573-378-5626
Trash
Waste Management ....................... 888-426-2210
License Bureau
Morgan County .............................. 573-378-7434
Library
Morgan County Public Library
600 N. Hunter ................................ 573-378-5319
Post Office
Versailles ........................................ 573-378-4949
Parks:
For information call: 573-378-4634 Parks are: Dunham, East, Fairground, Memorial, and Soccer Park. Facilities include horseshoe pits, volleyball and tennis courts, basketball goals, baseball fields, soccer fields, walking trails, grills and picnic tables, playground equipment, shelter houses, and a swimming pool.
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Notable people from Versailles
· Bud Walton (co-founder of Wal-Mart)
· Dwight Bolinger (linguist)
· William E. Morris
· Joyce Riley (The Power Hour)
· Nathan Henderson (Multi-Millionaire)
"Home of Jacob's Cave"
