Public Square at Kennett, MO, 1894

DUNKLIN COUNTY

Is situated in the extreme southeastern portion of the State, and extends 36 miles south of the general southern line-reaching 36 degrees north latitude. The shape of the county is oblong, its length north and south being 45 miles, with an average width of about 11 miles. The county is well watered-too well-by the Whitewater, St. Francois, and numerous lakes and ponds. This county, together with several adjoining, was severely injured by the earthquakes of 1811-12, since which time a great portion of it has been what is termed "swamp land". Many of these swamps can be reclaimed by drainage, with but little expense, and will then be among the most fertile lands in the State. The legislature in 1849-50 passed a bill making an appropriation for the reclamation of the swamp lands of southeast Missouri, but nothing of importance has been done toward it. There are some good farms in the county, and the land everywhere very fertile. According to the Surveyor General's Report, several portions laid down in the survey, and generally shown on maps as lakes or swamps, are now among the best farms in the county. Whether this has been an error on the part of the surveyors, or that by some natural causes these lakes have become dry land, is a question for investigation.

[The Source is: P.M. Pinckard, The Missouri handbook, St. Louis, 1865, 162 pgs.- Transcribed by Donna Walton]