Laid out in 1871, the city of Elsberry was named for Robert T. Elsberry, one of its founders. The community was situated along the St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern Railroad, along the western margin of the Mississippi bottom, and on the north side of Lost Creek, which flows into the Mississippi River. The city was surveyed and platted in August of 1879, and the first building erected in Elsberry was a railroad warehouse. Prior to its settlement by European Americans, the area had been explored by Father Marquette and Louis Joliet, who came down the Mississippi from Canada, skirting the banks opposite Elsberry in 1673. Later, trappers and hunters came into the area from time to time, but permanent settlers did not arrive until after the American Revolution. The few who built cabins there then were driven out by the Black Hawk and his allies prior to the end of the War of 1812. Local Native American tribes were the Sauk and the Fox Indians, both part of the Algonquin Nation. Today, Elsberry may be accessed through Missouri Route 79. New Hope is to the southwest, Dameron is north, Apex is south, and the Mississippi River is to the east.
Recommended Resources
The city of Elsberry, Missouri was founded in 1879. The official web site offers a history of the municipality, a calendar of events, council agendas and minutes, and a history of the community. Other resources include a business directory, administrative and departmental contacts, and public notices.
http://www.elsberrycity.com/
Affiliated with the Future Farmers of America organization, the Elsberry, Missouri chapter works with youth throughout Lincoln County, offering agriculture classes, trapshooting, a school farm, and other activities and projects. Its officers, committees, and schedules are featured.
http://www.elsberryffa.com/
The 60-bed skilled nursing facility offers 24-hour care for people who are unable to live along or to care for themselves. Its location, an overview of the facility, its health care team, services, and admissions policies are reviewed.
http://www.elsberryhealthcarecenter.org/
The K-12 public school system operates Clarence Cannon Elementary School, Ida Cannon Middle School, and H.L. Purdin High School, each of which are highlighted here, including contacts for its board of education, faculty and staff, as well as policy information, statistical data, and a district calendar.
http://www.elsberryschools.com/
Held at the Elsberry Motel and Lodge, in Elsberry, Missouri, the retreat offers quilting, scrapbooking, and crafting retreats. A schedule of upcoming events, photographs, contacts, and a blog are featured.
http://www.elsberryretreats.com/
Elsberry United Methodist Church
The UMC church is located at the corner of Broadway and 4th Street, in the city of Elsberry, Missouri. Maps and directions, a calendar of events, church newsletter, prayer requests, and an online library of Christian references are featured.
http://www.elsberryumchurch.org/
First Baptist Church of Elsbury
The Southern Baptist congregation was established in 1883. General information about the Elsbury, Missouri church if put forth, along with leadership contacts, a church covenant, a map, and directions to the church.
http://www.firstbaptistelsberry.com/
Published in Elsberry, Missouri, the newspaper offers news and sports stories, lifestyle, entertainment, and tourism features, obituaries, classifieds, photographs, and a community calendar. Full access requires a subscription, either full access to home delivery of its print publication, digital access, and a mobile edition, or a digital subscription only.
http://www.elsberrydemocrat.com/
