Otter Slough Conservation Area
in Southeast Missouri

We spent a pleasant afternoon at Otter Slough in January 2010. Within the first few minues there we'd seen 9 bald and golden eagles. On the mile long nature trail we also saw deer, falcons, hawks, cardinals, blue jays, kestrils and woodpeckers among other types of wildlife. On the west side of the area, we found 3 ponds full of very noisy geese and ducks, probably in the thousands. During this time of year, several of the roads are closed to vehicles due to hunters but there is still plenty to see. Otter Slough is located northwest of Powe in western Stoddard County-watch for the signs.
cfl

Crowley's Ridge area Communities-past & present

Aquilla-located about 4 miles north of Bloomfield in Stoddard County.


Beechwell-was located about 3 miles NE of Campbell near Dunklin County Road WW.

Bernie-located a few miles east of Crowley's Ridge in Stoddard County. Latitude-36.668, Longitude-89.968 Elevation-302 feet and the 2000 population was 1975.

Bethany-located on the western edge of Crowley's Ridge; Latitude-36.61, Longitude 90.06; Elevation-445

Bloomfield-county seat of Stoddard county. Courthouse built in 1867 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Stars and Stripes Museum located there. Latitude 36.88, Longitude 89.92.

Brian-was listed as a populated place as well as a school at 36.606, 90.093. Located north of Valley Ridge near the Dunklin-Stoddard County line.

Campbell-Founded 1880-1881 on the railroad two miles south of Four Mile. Known as the "Peach Capital of Missouri." Latitude and longitude: 36.29 and 90.4  Elevation is 315 feet at the foot of Crowley's Ridge.

Dexter-Founded 1853 and incorporated 1873. Population in 2000 was 7356. Crowley's Ridge runs directly through parts of the town. Latitude and longitude: 36.47 and 89.57

Four Mile-had a post office between 1855 and 1882 and a population of 150 in 1874; also had a school at one time. Located a few miles NE of Campbell. Historical cemetery located there.

Gibson-Has had a post office since 1892. Latitude 36.44, Longitude 90.03; Elevation-282 Located about halfway between Campbell and Holcomb.

Hopkins-was located on Dunklin County Road WW about 3 miles NE of Campbell. The old Hopkins Chapel Church (torn down in the 1970's or 80's) was located at Latitude 36.535, Longitude 90.048. I'm assuming that the late 1800's era Hopkins community was located near the church.

Malden-founded in 1878 very near the location of West Prairie. It is about 3 miles east of Crowley's Ridge.

Rush Creek-had a post office between 1906 and 1909. Was located west of Valley Ridge. The Rush Creek Church was located at Latitide 36.565, Longitude 90.069.

Townley-had a post office between 1901-1918. It was settled as a sawmill camp. Was located just north of the Malden airbase near the Dunklin-New Madrid county line. Its' latitude and longitude are: 36.61 and 89.96.

Valley Ridge-had a post office between 1878 and 1894.  Located approximately 6 miles west of Malden on Dunklin County Road J. Section 9, Twsp 22 N, R 9 E. Latitude 90.08, Longitude 36.564 

West Prairie-settled around 1844 and had a post office between 1854-1877. It was named for the large prairie it set on which was west of other prairies in the section. Some resources have it being located 4 miles southwest of present day Malden and others say it was just north. Malden's post office opened in 1878, just a year after West Prairie's closed, so the two towns must have been very close to one another. It's most important feature was a large grist mill known as the West Prairie Mill.

Wilhelmina-had post office between 1911 and 1957. Located just east of the Butler county line on Dunklin County Road D; Sec. 27, Twsp. 22N, R 8E

Click the map above to take you to the Missouri portion of the Crowley's Ridge Scenic Byway


Morris State Park
on
Crowley's Ridge

A very distinctive phenomenon in southeast Missouri known as Crowley's Ridge is the predominant feature of Morris State Park. The ridge, which extends well beyond the park boundaries, stands on average about 200 feet above the Mississippi River delta floodplain and consists of a strip of low hills from about one-half to five or more miles wide. Crowley's Ridge consists of unusual soil types and rare plant species. Morris State Park was donated to the state by Jim D. Morris to assist in the preservation of this unique natural and geologic feature.

The 161-acre park is a feature along Crowley's Ridge Parkway, a scenic byway consisting of a 42-mile route that starts at the Dunklin-Stoddard County line on Highway 25 and runs south to Malden. Morris State Park is one of many sites that can be visited along the parkway that portrays the natural, cultural or historical significance of the area.

The park offers a two-mile loop trail that extends through a large portion of Crowley's Ridge, taking visitors to the lowest point of the park. The trail also passes near the park's predominant geologic feature, a very large soil exposure, which depicts the natural erosion of the alluvial soil. A restroom, parking area and interpretive kiosks are available at the park.

Click here for more info

Willie B. Birddog
(photo by Hank Lippert)

BARKER'S BIRDS & HUNTING SERVICES
Located on Crowley's Ridge near Campbell, MO
Carl & Nita Barker
573-246-2524
www.barkersbirds.com