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Cole Camp is a quaint town that holds a great deal of pride in their history to this area of Missouri.
This museum is dedicated to those who came before us by preserving our local history as well as our heritage. The museum is designed to afford the visitor a "walk" through the history of the area, from its earliest geological beginnings to World War II. The museum strives to present items from this community used by people and families from the Cole Camp Area. This is to ensure the museum accurately reflects the town, the community and its history.
The museum is funded entirely by individual donations and has to date received no government grants or corporate funding, other than from local corporations. Our staff are all volunteers and the design and displays are created by local volunteers.
Items are frequently donated and loaned to the museum on a regular basis. Our most recent donation is an old cook stove that has been placed in a specially built location within the building.
Displays are updated and rotated to refresh items seen throughout the year. |
The museum is housed in the former Cole Camp Locker. The large smoker from its glory days is now available for viewing.
Be sure to visit the Benton County Tourism site for more attractions and sites in our area.
For more information about the Benton County Missouri area, see the site for the Benton County Missouri Historical Society Museum page.
The City of Cole Camp Chamber of Commerce invites you to visit their site for activities and information about Cole Camp, Missouri!
A Special note of Interest, the image portrayed
in signs around town are by local artist Neil Heimsoth. His drawing of the mountain man is recognized thoughout Cole Camp as Ezekiel Willaims. The museum would like to express their gratitude to Cole Camp Museum Volunteer,
Lillie Stelling for creating these displays. A considerable amount of time and effort goes in to placing these items and getting them put away making way for the next display. Thank You Lillie! |
The Museums Historic Background
Cole Camp is one of the oldest communities in west central Missouri, with the first settler arriving in 1829. By the Mid 1830's the town was established and the area around it was rapidly being settled.
One of the first battles of the Civil War was fought two miles east of Cole Camp, and Cole Camp continued top be an important location throughout the war.
The town and the surrounding countryside boasts of several pre-Civil War homes and buildings, most of which are still in use.
The downtown area was well on its way to being established in the 1890's and remains the economic center of the community. The City has been awarded a state grant to conduct a survey of historical resources with the objective of having the town placed on the National Historic Register.
One of the first battles of the Civil War was fought two miles east of Cole Camp, and Cole Camp continued top be an important location throughout the war.
The town and the surrounding countryside boasts of several pre-Civil War homes and buildings, most of which are still in use.
The downtown area was well on its way to being established in the 1890's and remains the economic center of the community. The City has been awarded a state grant to conduct a survey of historical resources with the objective of having the town placed on the National Historic Register.
