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Bates County, Missouri Facts:
- Largest City/Town: Butler
- Coverage Area (Total): 851.37 sq. miles
- Population: 17,049
- Cities/Towns covered in local Names and Numbers Phone Book: Missouri – Adrian, Amoret, Amsterdam, Appleton City, Archie, Butler, Creighton, Drexel, East Pleasanton, Foster, Garden City, Hume, Rich Hill, Rockville, Urich; Kansas – West Drexel
Bates County History
Bates County was named in honor of Frederick Bates, the second governor of Missouri, who died in office on August 14, 1825. The first community to settle in Bates County, Harmony Mission, was established for the purpose of educating Native Americans. In 1841, Bates County separated from Cass County and Harmony Mission was selected as its first county seat. The county seat was moved to nearby Papinville six years later.
In 1856, the county seat was moved to Butler and a 50-by-50-foot courthouse was constructed shortly thereafter. By 1861, the courthouse was burnt to the ground as part of a Civil War conflict. After the war, a new courthouse was established in 1869 and then reestablished in 1902; it is still in use as the Bates County courthouse.
Bates County Attractions
Bates County maintains a variety of attractions including:
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