Marble Hill, Missouri

Overview

• Location: Bollinger County, Missouri
• Legal status: Fourth-class city
• Population: 1,502 (Change since 1990: +3.8%)
• Founded: July 1851
• Name origin: Marble-like rock
• Previously known as: Greene, New California, and Dallas

Geography

• Located around the intersection of MO 34 and MO 51 near the center of the county
• Latitude: 37°18'18" N   (+37.3050)
• Longitude: 89°58'35" W   (-89.9764)
• Civil township: Lorance
• Land area: 1.6 square miles

As the crow flies, Marble Hill is...

• 3.0 miles E of Glenallen
• 4.3 miles NW of Leopold
• 5.2 miles NW of Laflin
• 5.8 miles SE of Shrum
• 7.2 miles SW of Scopus
• 7.7 miles SE of Bessville
• 7.9 miles S of Hurricane
• 8.3 miles W of Crump
• 8.3 miles SW of Gravel Hill
• 8.4 miles E of Lodge
• 23.6 miles W of Cape Girardeau
• 92.1 miles S of St. Louis

History

Name origin

At the time, it was believed that the hills around town contained marble. It was later determined that the area actually contains Kimmwick limestone, which appears similar to marble but is not.

Timeline

May 5, 1834

Greene Post Office established.

Jul. 1851

Thomas Hamilton laid off the town of New California. The name was probably a reference to the California Gold Rush, which was a hot topic at this time.

Dec. 26, 1851

County commissioners purchase 50 acres of land, including 10 acres from New California, to establish the county seat

1852

The first courthouse, a small two-story brick building, is constructed. It is destroyed by fire on Mar. 5, 1866.

Feb. 18, 1868

Post office changed name from Greene to Marble Hill.

Mar. 12, 1884

Second courthouse burned. An attempt to move the county seat to Lutesville is rejected by voters after money was successfully raised to rebuild the courthouse in Marble Hill.

1885

Third and present courthouse finished.

Sep. 1885

Mayfield-Smith Academy opened. The name is changed to Will Mayfield College in 1903.

1934

Will Mayfield College closed due to financial problems.

Mar. 18, 1947

Voters approve changing Marble Hill from a village to a fourth-class city

Apr. 4, 1987

Marble Hill merged with Lutesville.

Neighborhoods

• Lutesville (Merged with Marble Hill)
  • Latitude & Longitude: 37°18'01" N, 89°58'52" W
  • Elevation: 417
  • USGS Quad: Marble Hill
  • Name origin: Named for Eli Lutes, town founder
  • Founded: 1869 by Eli Lutes
  • The incorporated city of Lutesville merged with Marble Hill on April 4, 1987.

Demographics