Plank Road Marker Re-Dedication

The Sarah Barton Murphy Chapter, NSDAR and the Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Colonists invite the community to join in the celebration at the re-dedication of the historic Plank Road Marker!

In 1851, a plank road was begun in our region to elevate the roadway above the dirt and mud.  A wooden road allowed improved transportation, especially during the rainy season.  Being the first important road improvement in the state, many engineers traveled to region to see it.  Upon completion, it was 42 miles long and was comprised of heavy timbers, placed lengthwise of the road and oak planks (2 inches by 8' long) were laid on top of the timbers.  

The road was a Toll Road and was only wide enough for one-way traffic, with "turn-outs" placed along the route.  Wood bridges were built across creeks and it took travelers five days to make the roundtrip.  The road began in Ste. Genevieve and ran to Farmington then on to Doe Run, Iron Mountain and Pilot Knob.  

The road served as a link between the area iron & lead mines and the supply and shipping links needed by those mines.  Through the Plank Road, Farmington became a hub of development and shipping for the teamsters moving along the road.  Local farmers carried their agricultural products along the road along with granite, marble, cobalt and nickel merchants.  The road was also used by Civil War troops passing from the Iron county area to the Mississippi river.  

The Plank Road was in use for a little over 50 years but during it's time, helped grow the region and brought settlers to the area.  

We hope you are able to join us for this very special ceremony to recognize the importance of The Plank Road!