History of the Town

In the heart of Missouri lies a town steeped in history, where the tales of pioneers and settlers echo through the ages.

Welcome to Cottleville, a place where every street corner holds a story, and every building whispers of days gone by.

During the late 1700s, Daniel Boone's sons forged a trail westward from St. Charles towards a salt lick they discovered in Howard County. Situated along the historic "Boone's Lick Road", Cottleville was originally inhabited by Captain Warren G. Cottle, who rode on horseback from St. Charles searching for a homestead.

In 1798, Captain Cottle secured a Spanish land grant for a charming spot he discovered with views overlooking a river. In 1811, Captain Cottle departed, bequeathing his vast farmlands to his son, Dr. Warren G. Cottle Jr., and his many offspring. It was rumored about Dr. Cottle that he devoted much of his time to farming and only occasionally practiced medicine due to the low incidence of sickness among the people.

Dr. Warren Cottle Jr.'s son, Lorenzo, inherited 200 acres of land by the Dardenne River. In 1839, Lorenzo split the east side into lots and named it Cottleville, honoring his father and grandfather. Travelers (typically in covered wagons) often got stuck at Boone's Lick Trail crossing over the Dardenne River in Cottleville due to flooding. This led to various small businesses emerging, including country stores, wagon repair shops, and two hotels.

Later, the Boone's Lick Trail (now Missouri State Highway N) was the route followed by those who branched off to follow the Oregon Trail, the Santa Fe Trail, and the California Trail. By 1850, the town had 13 businesses and 500 citizens.

In the year 2023, the vibrant yet charming town of Cottleville marked its 225th anniversary and is presently inhabited by approximately 6,000 residents.