Dixon is located in the north east corner
of Pulaski County just a few miles from the Maries and Phelps County lines.
Dixon was born a railroad town, a boom town. In fact, its fortune at first
depended on the Frisco Railroad.
Although a number of nearby settlements
survived the Civil War period, the first large settlement near the town
of Dixon itself was, a camp consisting of about 100 railroad workers located
just west of where Dixon is located now. After the South Pacific Railroad
was attacked and destroyed during the Civil War, Frisco Railroad was organized
and completed the line into Springfield. Dixon was surveyed and laid out
on both sides of the tracks. The town was apparently named after the surveyor,
Mr. Milton Santee, who was from Dixon, Illinois.
Dixon Main Street
At any rate, Dixon came into being in
1869. Around 1873, Dixon became a railroad division center. A round house
for four engines and a residence for four crews was located just south
of the tracks. Later the division was moved to Newburg. While Dixon ceased
to be a division point, the railroad encouraged immigration and travel.
Dixon became an outlet for shipping wheat, hogs, cattle, furs, game and
produce. In 1889 after three attempts, a incorporation was made and William
Heller, Jr. and T.A. Murphy and others, presented a petition to the Pulaski
County Court, signed by two thirds of the taxable citizens of the village
of Dixon, praying for incorporation.
Main Street of Dixon, MO
The Village of Dixon became a fourth
class city in 1906. At first, oxen and horses, drawing vehicles, wallowed
in the mud of the streets. Tallowed candles were often used for lighting.
Kerosene lanterns and lamps were carried to church and other evening meetings
to light the homes and buildings. Early amusements were many, circuses,
medicine shows, pie and box suppers, private picnics, basket dinners, sack
races, public Fourth of July picnics, carnivals, and private parties were
an ongoing occurrence.
A Pagoda built for entertainment
After the railroad honeymoon period
was over, Dixon settled down to a solid, steady growth in business from
older settlements in the surrounding country. People brought produce, ties,
and stock, trading them for the staples needed to survive. Wm. H. Heller,
Jr. opened his general store in 1880, and was the first man to pay cash
for produce. He later sold the business to James McGregor, who operated
it for many years. Other early business owners were, W.L. Wilson, A.H.
Franklin, T. A. Murphy, and James Crismon.
Murphy Brothers Store
Railroad workers, transients, and early
"drummers' made necessary and profitable a number of hotels. Early owners
were, W.H. Harris, John Dawe, R. Vaughn and Mrs. Emma Rowden.
Frisco Hotel
Dixon has continued to prosper and grow.
Other than the daily Burlington Northern trains that pass through town,
the railroad business is all but gone. Dixon has till remained a rather
small country town with a population of only a few thousand. Many of the
old stores and businesses still line the streets, housing businesses that
now meet today's needs.
Dixon Canning Company
Even though the Dixon Canning Company
is gone, and The Brown Shoe Company, pulled up stakes several years ago,
Dixon has managed to attract other industries to there small country community,
providing many jobs to help support their residents way of life. Paramount
Hat Company took over the old Brown Shoe Plant, and still provides the
town with many jobs. Fort Leonard Wood is another large source of employment
for the residents of Dixon.
Dixon is an important political hub
for Pulaski County politics. Many people agree that a specific race among
candidates can be either won or loss at Dixon. For that reason you can
always bet, the local politicians will spend alot of time on the streets
of Dixon.
Dixon continues to maintain their small
town way of life, and they like it that way. They have all the necessities
needed to support their residents, but they still live and enjoy many of
the old time traditions and ways. If you want country living and country
ways then Dixon, MO is still the place.
Email
Me!
Or Write to:
Mike Weber
209 Westwind Drive
Waynesville, MO. 65583
