The unincorporated community of Lesterville is located on Missouri Routes 21, 49 and 72, near the Black River in Reynolds County, southeastern Missouri. Lesterville is the oldest town in Reynolds County, having had its beginnings in 1816, as Jesse Lester and his wife came to the area from Kentucky, settling about three miles west of the current center of town. Soon, he started a trading post there, where he traded with the Indians. Lesterville was the first town in the county to have a post office, which was established in 1838. Soon afterwards, a settlement began a few miles to the west, and the post office later moved to be nearer the population center. When Reynolds County was organized in 1845, Lesterville became the temporary county seat, although the seat of government was moved to Centerville in 1848. Although no major battles were fought in Lesterville during the Civil War, the town suffered many hardships. As the war supply line came through the area, troops foraged for supplies from local homes and businesses, and guerrilla bands and Jayhawkers killed residents and stole food and other provisions. The town is situated between two portions of the Mark Twain National Forest. The community of Black is to the northwest, Centerville is to the west, Glover to the east, Hogan to the northeast, and Sebula to the southeast.
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Recommended Resources
Black River Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is a not-for-profit membership organization made up of businesses and professional people in Lesterville and the Black River region of Missouri. Its site highlights the area’s lodging facilities, campgrounds and cabins, as well as local attractions and recreational opportunities and services. Area maps are included.
http://www.lestervillemissouri.com/
First Baptist Church Lesterville
Located on the corner of Center and Main in Lesterville, Missouri, the Southern Baptist congregation is highlighted, including its church covenant, sermon video, a calendar of events, service schedule, and leadership contacts. Announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.fbclesterville.com/
Serving the Lesterville, Missouri K-12th grade public school population, the public school district operates an elementary school and a combined junior and senior high school, each of which are highlighted here, along with student handbooks, public notices, announcements, and general information about the school system.
http://www.lesterville.k12.mo.us/
Offering canoeing, rafting, and tube floating trips on the Black River, camping facilities are also available. The Lesterville, Missouri campground and facilities are described and shown in photographs, and a brochure may be downloaded from the site.
http://www.parksbluff.com/