12/11/2013

Park Hills, Missouri

Park Hills (Flat River)Train Station

Park Hills Missouri is the result of an amalgamation of 4 towns in 1994. Flat River, Elvins, Esther and the village of Rivermines joined at that time forming the new town of Park Hills. Flat River was the commercial and residential center of the Southeast Missouri lead mining district during the first half of the 20th century. Deslodge and Leadington are part of this same group of towns but have remained independent. Flat River was established in 1821 but it's population was small until the Federal Lead Company opened a nearby mine and mill in 1906. Shortly after that, Flat River became the largest town in the leadbelt, supplanting Bonne Terre as mining activity in the region moved Southeast. The mine and mill opened by Federal Lead near Flat River is now preserved as Missouri Mines State Historic Site and is an amazing place to visit. In spite of the fact that all of the lead mines closed in the 1970s, the Park Hills area seems to be doing fairly well. I wasn't able to find much to look at or do in the town of Park Hills when I visited. It would be a good place to grab lunch or dinner while visiting the Missouri Mines site. Farmington a few miles Southeast of Park Hills is now the commercial center of the region.

 

Park Hills (Flat River) With Federal Mill No. 3 in the Background

Park Hills (Flat River) Train Station

Park Hills (Elvins) , Missouri

Park Hills (Elvins) , Missouri

Deslodge, Missouri

 

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