Wright County Historical Society

Wright County Historical Society We are located on the NE corner of the 38/5 intersection in Hartville. Open every Friday 10am to 4pm.
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Don't forget!! Today, April 30th, is the LAST day to sign up for our Strong Starter beginning genealogy classes, taking ...
04/30/2026

Don't forget!! Today, April 30th, is the LAST day to sign up for our Strong Starter beginning genealogy classes, taking place tomorrow, May 1st. Two classes to choose from (2pm-4pm or 6pm-8pm). Classes are filling up, so message up here or text 417-741-6265 to get your name on the list!
Classes are free and all you have to bring is you. 👋

The Fuge Grocery and Market (Hartville, Wright County Mo). The store was owned and operated by Buster and Emogene Fuge f...
04/29/2026

The Fuge Grocery and Market (Hartville, Wright County Mo). The store was owned and operated by Buster and Emogene Fuge from 1936 to 1973. The store had the first refrigerated meat case in Hartville. Pictured are Emogene and Buster with daughter Jean Ann.
circa 1940

Don't forget!! This Friday, May 1st!! Our Strong Starter beginning genealogy classes are beginning to fill up. To get yo...
04/27/2026

Don't forget!!
This Friday, May 1st!! Our Strong Starter beginning genealogy classes are beginning to fill up. To get your spot just message us or text us at 417-741-6265 and we will get you on the list!
We have a couple openings left in the 2pm-4pm class and a few more in the 6pm-8pm class.
What to bring? Just yourself, maybe a friend, and a willingness to learn. These classes are free and open to the public, but the cut off time to be added is Thursday, April 30th.
Come join us 👋

The Smittle Cave is located about 5 miles northwest of Grovespring (Wright County Mo). It is today on conservation land,...
04/26/2026

The Smittle Cave is located about 5 miles northwest of Grovespring (Wright County Mo). It is today on conservation land, but gets it's name from Jacob Smittle who settled that land in 1841.
Smittle Cave is one of the largest caves in Missouri with fifteen passages with a total length of more than two miles. Jacob's grandson, Alfonzo Smittle opened the cave as a tourist attraction in 1925, using boats and lanterns. It proved a popular attraction and the boats were later replaced with rock and wooden walkways, and the lanterns were replaced with a Delco System used until electric came to the area. Five passages were named; the Main, Meadner, Water, Ball Diamond and Formation. The cave has many large stalactites, stalagmites, strawtites, draperies and flowstone formations.
The cave was open to tourists until the late 1950s, when needed repairs to the walkways was decided against, and the cave was closed.
Smittle Cave now belongs to the Missouri Department of Conservation and is no longer open to the public.

What is your family's story? Would you like to know? Wright County Historical Society is offering a free class next Frid...
04/24/2026

What is your family's story?
Would you like to know?
Wright County Historical Society is offering a free class next Friday, May 1st to get you headed in the right direction. Two times to choose from; afternoon class (2pm-4pm) and evening class (6pm-8pm).
These will be held at the WCHS research library in Hartville and taught by our administrator Traci Crewse Bohannon. Free to the public, but we will need your name on the list by Thursday, April 30th to be included. All you need to bring is yourself and your desire to discover your family's story.
Message us to get your name on the list! Your ancestors are waiting.
Come join us! 👋

Making plans to join us Friday evening for the story of the Clark's Creek Gang as researched and told by Champ Herren? D...
04/20/2026

Making plans to join us Friday evening for the story of the Clark's Creek Gang as researched and told by Champ Herren? Do you have questions or hidden pieces of the story your ancestors kept quiet?
There will be a question and answer time after Champ shares with us his incredible findings. If you want your question answered or your family info considered, please message us beforehand, and we will make sure Champ gets it.
Remember, Friday evening, 7pm at Life360 church in Hartville (WrightCountyMo). Free admission and doors open at 6:30.
See ya then 👋

The Steele grist mill on Woods Fork, south of Hartville (Wright County Mo), was located near the current city park. The ...
04/17/2026

The Steele grist mill on Woods Fork, south of Hartville (Wright County Mo), was located near the current city park. The original owner was Isham P. Pool, who was already operating the mill when Colonel R.B. Palmer arrived in 1840. This is the same mill General Marmaduke was headed for in 1863 to provision his horses when the Battle of Hartville ensued.
Incidentally, Isham P. Pool would disappear in 1849, after being accused of forgery while working as the county clerk. Friends of his sprung him from the Wright County jail and he was never seen again. His brother later had him declared dead, so Pool's wife could sell his property to provide for their children.

Was your Wright County ancestor an outlaw? Maybe so......"The Story of the Clark's Creek Gang" as told by podcaster Cham...
04/17/2026

Was your Wright County ancestor an outlaw? Maybe so......
"The Story of the Clark's Creek Gang" as told by podcaster Champ Herren of the Wild and Woolly Ozarks podcast is the fascinating tale of one of Wright County's best kept secrets!
Friday evening, April 24th, 7pm at the Life360 church in Hartville. Doors open at 6:30, Free to the public. Hope to see you there 👋

The Elk Creek Fox Hunt, was a picnic followed by a fox hunt held annually the last Thursday, Friday and Saturday of July...
04/14/2026

The Elk Creek Fox Hunt, was a picnic followed by a fox hunt held annually the last Thursday, Friday and Saturday of July from 1935 to 1980. It also boasted a drag race, as well as concession stands, square dancing, a picture show, Bingo and entertainment by local musicians. In later years that became famous musicians.
Billed as the " Biggest Little Fox Hunt in the World", it started on the Albert Claxton farm but as the crowds grew it was necessary to move it to the Sherman Hillhouse farm a half mile away.
Folks even came from out of state, planning vacations around the time of the hunt/picnic. Ribbons and trophies were awarded at the bench show on Saturday night. One newspaper article reported, "the estimated number in attendance on Saturday night was in excess of 3000 people".
So, did you know about Wright County, Missouri's famous fox hunt?

Interested in what you'll find in your family history? You will never know if you never start. WCHS will be hosting the ...
04/13/2026

Interested in what you'll find in your family history? You will never know if you never start. WCHS will be hosting the Strong Starter beginning genealogy class on Friday, May 1st for those brave enough to take that chance 😉
Two times to choose from; afternoon class is 2pm-4pm and evening class is 6pm-8pm. Classes are free to the public but we need your name on the list so we know how many to prepare for. Just let us know asap if you are planning on attending. Message us here, stop by the office any Friday in April or call or text 417-741-6265 👋

Sale is over! Thanks to all who came out and supported wchs!We've sold a lot but still have plenty of gently to roughly ...
04/11/2026

Sale is over! Thanks to all who came out and supported wchs!
We've sold a lot but still have plenty of gently to roughly used research materials for sale. Today until noon.
Also selling some office equipment and furniture. Come see us 👋

Address

P. O. Box 253
Hartville, MO
65667

Opening Hours

10am - 4pm

Telephone

+14177416265

Website

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Our Mission

The Wright County Historical Society’s mission is to keep the history of our area of the Ozarks alive, as well as assisting those with Wright County roots to discover their own heritage.