|
History
of Rogersville
The
largest settlement in this area in the mid 1800's was
Henderson with a population of about 300. Located 16
miles east of Springfield in a valley, by a stream and
on the mail highway. It was a perfect place for a town.
The
Kansas City and Memphis Railroad came through in 1882-
two miles to the south.
It
became known that a depot was to be erected. At the time,
a young physician, Dr. Isaac Rogers, agreed to donate
$50 to defray the expense of surveying and laying out
lots, streets, etc., if they would use his name for the
settlement.
The
first postmaster was appointed in September 1882. Five
rural carriers began in 1904 carried by horse and buggy.
By then the population had grown to 450.
School
was first held two or three years after the town started.
A
newspaper, The Rogersville Record, obtained a "second
class matter permit" at the post office in October
1915.
A
community church, which housed a lodge hall on the second
story, was built in 1885.
The
first bank opened in 1890 but failed during the Depression.
The Citizens Bank of Rogersville was chartered in 1908.
Rogersville
was incorporated as a village in 1916. Some street lights
were operating as early as 1927. In 1932, Highway 60
was paved through town. In 1948, it became a fourth class
city.
|
