CAVES:                                                                                                                                          

According to CATALOGUE of the CAVES OF MISSOURI compiled by Jerry Vineyard, D'Jeanne Stevens, Bonnie L. Wills and John W. Koenig in 1957, there were 24 caves listed throughout Miller County. WTTP is listing 27 caves. (2022)

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Barnett Cave ... Near Iberia. A family name. 

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Bat Cave #1 ... Two miles east of Bagnell. Named for the bats which, at one time, inhabited the cave. (McCanse, 20; G. Schultz). Also known as Bagnell Cave. On top of Bagnell Hill, 3 mi. from Bagnell on s. side of Osage River (Catalogue of Caves of Missouri, Jerry Vineyard, D'Jeanne Stevens, Bonnie L. Wills, John W. Koenig, 1957)

Bat Cave #2 ... Another Bat Cave in Jim Henry Township near Hoecker. Named for the bats which, at one time, inhabited it. Large quantities of guano were mined from this cave about twenty years ago and marketed. [c/1910s] (D. Graham, G. Schultz). During the Civil War it was a retreat of Crabtree, the so-called bandit. (MCHS, Progress Notes, Joe Pryor - News Tribune Article Monday, June 04, 2007). The bats have returned to the cave in recent years and is the wintering and breeding grounds for the Gray Bat. (Kathy Beeler). Dimensions: Its entrance is about twenty-five feet square and about thirty feet in the bluff above the riverbed and is reached by a ladder or rope repelling.

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Beckman's Cave ... In Jim Henry Township. Named for a Mr. Beckman, who owned the land. (Geol. Miller, 12; 1903). Mr. Beckman says that within his memory many chambers which were formerly passable, are now almost completely closed with travertine. (MCHS, Progress Notes, Joe Pryor - News Tribune Article Monday, June 04, 2007). Near Eugene (Cole County). Dimensions: The cave extends a quarter of a mile into the hill. A partial falling in of the roof at the entrance has formed a miniature natural bridge. The stalactites, though small and few in number, have a beautiful white color. 

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Ben Bode Cave ... One-half mile S. of St. Elizabeth (Catalogue of Caves of Missouri, Jerry Vineyard, D'Jeanne Stevens, Bonnie L. Wills, John W. Koenig, 1957)

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Bone Cave ... In Glaze Township near Brumley. So called because of the many bones that have been found in it. (Schultz, 132). Close to the county line. Near Toronto (Camden County).      

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Boulder Cave ... Close to the county line. Near Eugene (Cole County).  

 

Brewery Cave ... On Big Tavern Creek. So named because an old German ran a beer brewery in it for many years. (L.A. Burton)  

 

Crabtree Cave ... On the Osage River near the mouth of Tavern Creek. Named for a Civil War bandit, who used it for a hiding place. (Tom Clark). [This is most likely Bat Cave #2]

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Daerhoff Cave ... Close to the county line. Near Eugene (Cole County). Dimensions of cave entrance is W. 55', H. 8'. 

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Ferguson Cave ... Located on the old Squire John Ferguson farm, an early settler of southern Miller County. South of Iberia. A series of smaller caves in the vicinity are known as the "Bluff Caves". (Joe Pryor - News Tribune Article Monday, June 04, 2007)

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Flanders Cave ... Six miles south of Eldon. Named by Chas. Fleetwood for Flanders Field in Belgium, because he thought there was a resemblance. Doubtless he had in mind John McCrae's poem about "Flanders field, where poppies blow." Formerly known as Agee Cave for William Agee, who owned it for a short time. (John Stark, Jas R. Pruitt)

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Horseshoe Cave ... One quarter mile west of Aurora Cave. It is a horseshoe-shaped tunnel with two openings. (John Stark). Located near Eldon. 

  

Jim Henry Cave ... Not far from Jim Henry School. It is a cavity big enough to hold an ordinary house under a large rock. It is named for Jim Henry, the Indian, who lived in this cave for many years. Also known as the Rockhouse. (John Rush). Located near Mary's Home.   

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Jurggenmeyer Cave ... Near Iberia.   

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Kemma Cave ... Also known as Klinner Cave and Vernon Cave. Near Eldon.
 

Klinger's Cave ... Near the head of Little Saline Creek on Edgar Vernon's farm. Also spelled Clinger Cave. Named for a Mr. Klinger, who bought forty acres including the cave as a business venture. (Geol. Miller, 12; McCanse, 42; J.H. Vernon). Located in Saline Township. Near Eugene (Cole County). Also known as Vernon Cave. Dimensions of cave entrance is W. 30', H. 15'.

Klug Cave ...  In Jim Henry Township on the Osage River. Named for the Klug family, the owners. (L.A. Barton). Near Eugene (Cole County).

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Luckenhoff Cave ... 3/4-mile S. of St. Elizabeth. 

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Prairie Hollow Cave ... Near Bagnell. Dimensions of the cave entrance is W. 4.5', H. 2'

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Ramsey Cave ...  Near the town of Ramsey [Capps] and named for the same family. In 1929 a party dug for seven pony loads of gold supposedly buried in Ramsey Cave during the Civil War. None was ever found so far as is known. (Schultz, 132; John Ferguson). Located near the old settlement of Capps in Osage Township. Rope repelling from the top is the only way to reach this cave.

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Stark Caverns ... South of Eldon. Named for Chas. Stark who entered the land. Also known as Aurora Cave because it is near Aurora Springs. (John Stark). Also known as Miller County Cave, Mammoth Cave and Fantasy World Caverns. Spectacular natural formations include soda straws, flow stone, stalactites, stalagmites, helictites (bent soda straws), and giant, beautiful columns. (Lake Expo, Janet Dabbs, Sep 29, 2017; Updated: May 27, 2021). Dimensions: The mouth of the cave is 100 feet wide and from 12 to 15 feet high and extends about a fourth of a mile into the hill. Measuring all of its ramifications it had approximately a mile of chambers, many of which are of considerable size.

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Unnamed Cave #1 ... Near Bagnell.

 

Unnamed Cave #2 ... Near Iberia.

 

Wiemer Cave ... On the Big Tavern Creek in Richwoods Township. The dimensions of the cave entrance is W. 15', H. 7'. A family name.
 

Wilson's Cave ... On Tavern Creek near the mouth of Barren Fork. Named for John Wilson, an eccentric character who settled here in 1822 and spent his first winter, together with his family, in this cave. He lived to be 100 years old (d.1855), and, at his wish, his body was packed in salt in the coffin he had prepared and with a demijohn of good whiskey was placed in a small wing of the cave. The cave opening was walled up. It was supposed to be opened seven years after his death so that his friends could enjoy the contents of the demijohn, but it was not opened until about thirty years ago when vandals broke the seal. (Schultz, 129, 130; Conard, 385; J.C. People Tribune, Nov. 18, 1874).  The reason the cave tomb was not opened seven years after the death of John Wilson was because the Civil War was in full swing during that time; old John Wilson and his whiskey were forgotten. (Peggy Smith Hake). Dimensions: The mouth of Wilson’s cave is irregularly oval in outline, having a breadth of 75 feet and a height of 30 feet. The cave has about 150 yards of narrow, winding passages. Some stalactites and stalagmites are present. (MCHS, Progress Notes, Joe Pryor - News Tribune Article Monday, June 04, 2007).

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Wright Cave ... Located near Brumley. Named for an early pioneer family named Wright. It was a show cave, known as Arrow Point Cave, in the 1970s. (Mark Beabout). Today, it is known as Pumpkin Patch Cave, and it continues to be a show cave (2022). Dimensions of cave entrance is W. 20', H. 12'. 

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SPRINGS:                                                                                                                              

 

According to Top Springs of Miller County, Missouri, via anyplaceamerica.com, there are 11 springs scattered throughout the county. WTTP is listing 12 springs. (2022)

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Aurora Springs ... Located near the historic settlement of Aurora Springs (present-day Eldon), which was the largest town in Miller County during the 1880s and 1890s. Reportedly, the mineral springs were reputed to hold healing properties. In the late 1800s, W. A. Miller turned this small city into a resort town when he built the Aurora Springs Mineral Sanitarium. People from far and wide came to this place that was known as “The Greatest Sanitarium of the West”. (Peggy Smith Hake)

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Bear Spring ... Two miles from Tuscumbia. Elevation: 620 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Blue Spring #1 ... Four miles from Iberia. Elevation: 820 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Blue Spring #2 ... Four miles from Bagnell. Elevation: 646 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Boiling Spring ... Two miles from Iberia. Elevation: 846 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Brockman Spring ... Four miles from Tuscumbia. Elevation: 577 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Cave Spring ... Three miles from Tuscumbia. Elevation: 718 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Dorl Spring ... Five miles north of Tuscumbia. Named for Godlup Dorl, landowner. Formerly known as Shackleford Spring for John Shackleford, who owned the land for many years. (John Stark). Elevation: 0 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Elm Spring ... Four miles from Bagnell. Elevation: 620 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Stark Spring ... Four miles north of Tuscumbia. Named for Elisha Stark, father of the present owner. (John Stark). Elevation: 0 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Sulphur Springs ... Four miles north of Tuscumbia. The water has a high sulphur content per an 1870 newspaper article. (J.C. Peoples Tribune, August 17, 1870; Conard, 384; John Stark). Elevation: 0 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Wright's Spring ... Two miles north of Tuscumbia. It is the largest spring in the county. Flows into Little Saline Creek. Named for J. L. Wright, who built a mill below it. (O. W. Wright). Elevation: 0 ft. (anyplaceamerica.com)

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HOLLOWS:                                                                                                                             

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According to Top Valleys of Miller County, Missouri, via anyplaceamerica.com, there are 36 hollows spread throughout the county. 

 

Arnold Hollow... Between Bagnell and Lakeside in Franklin Township.

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Barn Hollow ... Near Bagnell in Franklin Township.

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Barnes Hollow ... Between Iberia and Brumley in Richwoods Township. A family name.

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Bear Hollow ... Near Bagnell in Franklin Township. A descriptive name.

 

Bowlin Hollow ... Almost three miles from Bagnell. A family name.

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Brushy Hollow ... Between Brumley and Osage Beach (Camden County) in Glaize Township. A descriptive name.

 

Cadle Hollow ... Near Tuscumbia in Osage Township. Named for an old Osage Indian who lived near Dog Creek in the early 1800s.

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Clinking Beard Hollow ... Near the south county line at the head of the Big Tavern Creek. A corruption of the family name, Clinkenbeard. (Maps 1914, 1931; G. Schultz) 

 

Colvin Hollow ... Five miles from Tuscumbia. A family name. 

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Cotton Hollow ... Five miles from Bagnell in Franklin Township. Near the Camden County line.

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Darby Hollow ... Two miles from Bagnell.

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Fencher Hollow ... Located in Osage Township. A family name. (Geol. Miller, 23; Judge Brockman)

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Fox Hollow ... Three miles south of Iberia. A descriptive name. 

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Hardy Hollow ... Between Bagnell and Lakeside. A family name. 

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Happy Hollow ... Three miles from Bagnell.

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Heltzell Hollow ... Located in Richwoods Township. Near Iberia. A family name.

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Hudson Hollow ... Near Bagnell in Franklin Township.

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John Allen Hollow ... One and half mile from Bagnell. Named for an early pioneer of Miller County. (John Stark)

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King Hollow ... Near Bagnell.

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Pack Hollow ... In Osage Township near Big Tavern Creek. Named for Anderson Pack, a steamboat pilot, who settled there. (Tom Clark)

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Patterson Hollow ... Five miles west of Brumley. Near the Camden County line. A family name.

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Peter Humphrey Hollow ... Near Big Tavern Creek in Osage Township. Named for the first settler there. (Tom Clark)

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Pickering Hollow ... Between Bagnell and Lakeside in Franklin Township.

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Prairie Hollow ... Between Tuscumbia and St. Elizabeth in Osage Township.

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Robinson Hollow ... Two miles west of Brumley in Glaize Township. A family name.

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Sandstone Hollow ... In Osage Township. The name is descriptive. (Geol. Miller, 29; Tom Clark)

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Sawmill Hollow #1 ... Between Tuscumbia and Bagnell in Equality Township.

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Sawmill Hollow #2 ... About one and a half mile from Bagnell.

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Shoestring Hollow ... Two miles east of Tuscumbia in Equality Township.

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Stillhouse Hollow ... Between Tuscumbia and Bagnell.

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Sugar Camp Hollow ... On Humphrey's Creek at Old Ramsey post office. A maple sugar camp used to be there. (Tom Clark)

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Sycamore Spring Hollow ... In Osage Township. A descriptive name. (Geol. Miller, 23; Judge Brockman)

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Tent Hollow ... Three miles from Bagnell in Franklin Township.

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Three Springs Hollow ... About one mile from Bagnell in Franklin Township. A descriptive name. 

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Vaughn Hollow ... Two and half miles from Bagnell in Franklin Township. A family name.

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Wildcat Hollow ... Midway between Tuscumbia and Osage Beach (Camden County).

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Wilson Hollow ... Two miles east of Tuscumbia in Equality Township. A family name.

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WATERWAYS:                                                                                                                        

 

According to Top Streams of Miller County, Missouri, via anyplaceamerica.com, there are 82 waterways flowing throughout the county, with the Osage River being the biggest natural water throughfare. WTTP is listing 87 waterways. (2022)

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Atwell Creek ... Rises in Pulaski County near Hancock and flows mostly north-northwest through the county; empties into Little Tavern Creek. (TOPO Map). A family name. 

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Aurora Springs Branch ... A tributary of Little Gravois Creek near Aurora Springs, for which it is named (John Stark). South of Eldon.  

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Bailey's Branch ... Rises in Richwoods Township and empties into Barren Fork. Named for R.B. Bailey, an early settler, who came from Tennessee. (Alvin Bailey; Geol. Miller, 16, 196)

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Barren Fork ... A tributary of Brushy Fork Creek in western Richwoods Township. Probably so called because there is very little timber along the creek, mostly scrub oak. (Maps 1873f; Jas. W. Dinwiddie) Historians also pinpoint the name to Barren County, Tennessee where many pioneer families came from when migrating to Miller County during the 1830s-1840s. (Peggy Smith Hake)

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Bax Creek... A tributary of the Osage River. It heads near St. Elizabeth. A family name. (John Luetkemeyer)

Bear Creek ... Heads in Glaze Township and empties into the Osage River. There were many bears in this section in early days. (John Jones)

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Beard Creek ... Rises in Morgan County, north of Barnett. Flows into the northwestern corner of the county; empties into South Moreau Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Big Tavern Creek ... A large tributary of the Osage River originally known as Cavern Creek. It was so named by some early Frenchmen for the large cave at the mouth of the creek. Schultz says it is marked "R. a la Caverne" on a French map dated 1802 in the Library of Congress. It is sometimes known as Tavern Creek. Apparently Tavern is a popular etymology for the French "Caverne." Two other Tavern Creeks were found, each with a cave at its mouth. Both are tributaries of the Missouri River, one in Callaway County and the other in St. Charles County. In each case the cave at the mouth of the creek was known in early days as The Tavern because travelers on the river often spent the night in them in bad weather. In both cases the stream received its name from the cave. The one in Calloway County was known as Big Tavern Creek also. Practically all the early travelers on the Missouri River refer to one or the other of these "Taverns." (Flegg, Pike, Brandbury, Maximilian, Floyd, Lewis and Clark, etc.) Coues, in a footnote in his edition of Pike's journal, refers to a cave or "tavern" where the early Osage boatmen used to put up (p. 372). Another version is that the best hunting in the early days was along this creek. There was always plenty of game. The hunters called it Tavern Creek because food and good water were as easy to get as in a tavern. (Schultz, 11 Conrad VI, 157; Thwaites EWT, XXVI, 76, 72, V41, XXII, Coue's Pike, 368, 372, 363; Geol. Mo., 193; Wetmore, 258; L.A. Burton)

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Blue Spring Creek ... Rises in Saline Township and empties into Little Gravois Creek. Named for a tributary spring which empties bluish water into it. (J. H. Vernon)

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Blythe's Creek ... A tributary of the South Moreau which rises in Saline Township. Also known as Blythe's Fork. The origin of the name could not be determined. (Geol. Miller, 18; Map 1874, 1904)

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Bolan's Creek ...  A branch of Big Tavern Creek in eastern Richwoods Township. Spelled Bolins and Bollins on maps 1914 and 1931. Originally spelled Bowlin's after the Bowlin family. (John Ferguson)

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Bowlin Creek ... see Bolan's Creek.

 

Brockman's Ford ... Midway between Tuscumbia and Bagnell. Named for John M. Brockman, a pioneer settler. (Geol. Miller, 73; Judge Brockman)

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Brumley Creek ... A tributary of the Grand Auglaize in Glaze Township, south of Brumley. Named for the Brumley family. (G. Schultz)

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Brush Creek ... Rises in Saline Township and empties into the South Moreau River. Named from the thick growth of brush along its banks. (Priest Allee)

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Brushy Fork Creek ... Rises in Glaze Township and empties into Big Tavern Creek. Also known as Brushy Fork and Brushy Creek. Named from the thick growth of brush along its banks. (Maps 1873f; Jas. W. Dinwiddie)

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Brushy Creek ... see Brushy Fork Creek

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Carroll Creek ... Rises in Pulaski County and flows north into the county. Empties into the Little Tavern Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Cat-tail Creek ... A tributary of Dog Creek. It rises in Equality Township. The origin of the name could not be determined. Obviously from the plant. (Meek's Map 1873; Geol. Miller, 117)

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Clinkingbeard Creek ... Rises in Pulaski County and flows northeast into the county. Empties into Tavern Creek. (TOPO Map). Corruption of the family name Clinkenbeard. (G. Schultz) 

Coon Creek ... A tributary of the Osage River between Panther and Dog Creeks. There used to be many raccoons along its banks. (Geol. Miller, 15; L. A. Barton)

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Cub Creek ... A small creek in Jim Henry Township, emptying into the Osage River. Obviously, an animal name. (L. A. Barton)

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Cumpton Branch ... Rises in northern section of county, south of Mt. Pleasant. Empties into the Saline Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Custer Branch ... Rises in Richwoods Township, south of Iberia. Empties into Tavern Creek. (TOPO Map) 

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Dake Creek ... Rises in Richwoods Township, northeast of Iberia. Empties into Greasy Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Deane Creek ... Rises in Pulaski County, west of Crocker, and flows northwest through the county; empties into Grand Auglaize Creek.  (anyplaceamerica.com)

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Dog Creek ... A tributary of the Osage River in Equality Township. According to a local story a hunter was attacked by a dog here in early days, and the creek was named for this reason. (Maps 1873f; L.A. Barton)  

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Dry Auglaize ... A branch of the Grand Auglaize (q.v.), (cf. Wet Auglaize, q.v.). Also known as the Dry Glaize. It does not flow in dry weather, but stands in pools. (Jas. W. Dinwiddie)

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Dry Branch #1 ... Rises in Saline Township, southeast of Eldon. Empties into Saline Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Dry Branch #2 ... Rises in Franklin Township near Bagnell. Flows south and empties into Little Gravois Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Dry Creek #1 ... Rises in Franklin Township, southeast of Eldon. Empties into Little Saline Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Dry Creek #2 ... Rises in Equality Township, west of Tuscumbia. Empties into Little Saline Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Duncan Branch ... Rises in western Maries County and flows northwest through the county. Empties into Wiemer Creek. (TOPO Map). A family name.

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Eagle Branch ... A small tributary of the Saline Creek in Jim Henry Township. Between Tuscumbia and Mary's Home. (anywhereamerica.com)

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East Fork Little Bear Creek ... Rises in Glaize Township in western section of county. Empties into Little Bear Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Elm Springs Branch ... Rises in Richwoods Township near the Old Traderight Store, flows west; empties into Kenser Creek. 

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Fry Branch ... Rises in western Maries County and flows into the Little Tavern Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Gardner Branch ... see Lenox Branch

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Grand Auglaize Creek ... A tributary of the lake of the Ozarks formed by the Dry Auglaize and the Wet Auglaize. It rises in Camden County, and though it is not the largest tributary, it forms the largest arm of the lake. Often called Grand Glaize, Grand Glaze, Glaize, or Glaze. Schultz says it is marked "R. Grande Glaize" on a French map dated 1802 in the Library of Congress. Auglaize is a French phrase meaning "at the clay" or "at the loam." The French word for loam or clay is now spelled glaze, (potter's earth). There is much clay near the headwaters of the creek. In the spring of the year, when the waters rise, they are as red as blood. Probably the early Frenchmen who named it, saw it at this stage. (Schultz, 14; Jas. W. Dinwiddie; Littre)

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Greasy Creek ... Rises in eastern Miller County near Brays. Empties into the Wiemer Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Gum Creek ... A tributary of the Osage River from the north between Saline and Lick Creeks. There are many gum trees along its banks. (Geol. Miller, 15; James Wright)

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Hanging Rock Creek ... see Humphrey's Creek

 

Hatton Branch ... Rises in western Maries County and flows northwest through the county. Empties into Wiemer Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Haw Creek ... Rises in Osage Township, northeast of Ulman. Flows south-southeast into the Brushy Fork Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Howell Branch ... Rises in Glaize Township southeast of Ulman. Empties into Brushy Fork Creek. (TOPO Map). A family name.

 

Humphrey's Creek ... A tributary of the Osage River in Osage Township. A family name. Also known as Hanging Rock Creek and Hanging Rock Branch for the locally famous hanging rock at its mouth of the Osage River. (Coues, 373; Meek's Map; L.A. Barton; Tom Clark). Named for Peter Humphrey, an early settler in Miller County. (G. Schultz)

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Jack Buster Creek ... Rises in Eugene (Cole County) and flows throughout the northern section of the county. (USGS)

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Jackson Branch ... Rises in western Miller County, about 4 miles from Lakeland. Empties into Lake of the Ozarks. (TOPO Map). A family name. 

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Jim Henry Creek ... A tributary of the Osage River in the township of the same name. (q.v.). Named for an Indian known as Jim Henry who lived in the county in the early 1800s. (Peggy Smith Hake)

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Johnston Creek ... Rises in southern Richwoods Township. Empties into Little Tavern Creek. (TOPO Map). A family name.

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Kenser Creek ... Rises in western Maries County and flows west-northwest through the county. Empties into the Big Tavern Creek. (anywhereamerica.com). A family name.

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Lake of the Ozarks ... One of the largest artificial lakes in the world. It is partly in Miller County. It is formed by the Osage Dam in Miller County across the Osage River. By act of the General Assembly of Missouri it was named Lake Benton for Missouri's statesman, Thomas H. Benton (1772-1858), who was a United States Senator from Missouri for thirty years. J. W. Vincent, editor of the Linn Creek REVEILLE, made an effort to have it called Lake McClurg after Governor J. W. McClurg (b. 1818), who was governor of Missouri from 1868-1870. The name designated by the builders, "The Lake of the Ozarks" has come into popular use. The lake is 125 miles long and has about 1,300 miles of shore line. It is located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains for which it is named. (History of Chariton 36; Schultz, 15; McCanse, 76; History of Chariton 46-48).

 

Note: The largest man-made lake in the U.S.A. today is Lake Oahe, which begins on the Missouri River in central South Dakota and continues north into North Dakota. (Google)

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Lead Creek ... In the southwest corner of Jim Henry Township. Lead has been mined in many parts of Jim Henry Township. (Map 1873; G. Schultz)

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Lenox Branch ... In Richwoods Township. Empties into Big Tavern Creek. Named for Wilson Lenox, who was elected representative to the Legislature in 1858. Also known as Gardner Branch, which is a family name. Also known as Rabbit Head Branch. A local yarn is told to account for this name. A man named Bailey particularly liked the head of a rabbit. He shot a rabbit and his wife refused to cook the head. He whipped her. (HIST. COLE etc., 539; Maps 1873f; G. Schultz; John Ferguson; E.M. Durham). Wilson Lenox built the first trading post (general store) in Iberia. Gardner Branch named for Henry P. Gardner, an early pioneer. (Peggy Smith Hake)

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Lick Creek ... A tributary of the Osage River from the north between Gun Creek and Little Gravois Creek. Named for early artificial deer licks on it. Artificial deer licks were "salted" sticks driven into the ground, flush with the surface. (Geol. Miller, 15; Meek's Map; Tom Clark)

Little Bear Creek ... Heads in Glaze Township and empties into the Osage River. It is near and distinctly smaller than Bear Creek (q.v.)   

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Little Gravois Creek ... A tributary of the Osage River in Franklin Township, smaller than Gravois Creek in Morgan County. Gravois is a French word meaning coarse plaster, rubbish, or rubbish of plaster. It seems likely that the early Frenchman thought the gravel of this stream suitable for rough plaster. Misspelled Grovoix in Handbook Missouri. (Littre; Coues, 375; Schultz, 14; Handbook Mo., 195)

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Little Saline Creek ... A tributary of Saline Creek in Equality Township (q.v.)

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Little Tavern Creek (#1) ... Rises in Cole County and empties into the Osage River just inside the Miller County line across from the mouth of Big Tavern Creek (q.v.). It is distinctly smaller than Big Tavern Creek. (Maps 1873f)

Little Tavern Creek (#2) ... Another Little Tavern Creek, tributary of Big Tavern Creek (q.v.), in Osage Township. It rises in Maries County. (Maps 1873f)

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Longan Branch ... Rises south of Rocky Mount and flows southward into Blue Spring Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Lousy Creek ... Rises in Equality Township, east of Tuscumbia. Empties into the Osage River. (TOPO Map)

 

Mill Branch ... Rises in Richwoods Township, southwest of Iberia. Empties into the Barren Fork. (TOPO Map)

 

Mill Creek ... A tributary of the Grand Auglaize Creek below Brumley. At one time there was a mill on it. (John Ferguson)

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Moore Branch ... Rises in Richwoods Township, southwest of Iberia.  Empties into Tavern Creek. (TOPO Map). A family name.

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Osage River ... The largest stream in the county, it rises in Kansas and flows into the Missouri River. It runs in a general easterly direction across Miller County. The Osage [Indians] called themselves Wa-ca-ce meaning "people," but were known to others as the Pa-he-tsi (campers on the mountain), and Utseh-ta (campers on the lowland). Marquette spelled the word Ouchage and Autrechaun. On Franqulm's map it is Zages. By Penicaut it is spelled Huzzaus, Ous, Wauhas. It is also Oua-chage meaning "the strong." The name Osage is of French origin, a corruption of the Indian name for the tribe. It derives its name from the Great and Little Osage Indians. (Houck, I, 178; Schultz, 14; Schoolcraft, 104; Thwaites EWT, XIV, 144; HIST. COLE etc., 644)

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Panther Creek ... A tributary of the Osage River in Osage Township. Obviously named for the animal. (Coues, 373; Meek's Map; Tom Clark)

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Pilkinton Branch ... Rises in southern Richwoods Township and empties into Tavern Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Rabbithead Creek ... see Lenox Branch

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Ramsey Branch ... Rises in Osage Township, south of Capps. Empties into Humphrey Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Rollins Creek ... A tributary of Brumley Creek in Glaze Township. Also known as Rolling Creek, perhaps a popular etymology for the unfamiliar name. The origin of the name could not be determined. (Maps 1914, 1931; John Ferguson)

  

Saline Creek ... Rises in Saline Township and empties into the Osage River. Saline is a French word meaning salt, salt-works, or salty. It is shown, Schultz says, on a French map in the Library of Congress as "R. Saline" (1802). So far as can be ascertained, there was no salt in this section, but there may have been salt "licks" or "salines" in the neighborhood. Cf. Saline Township in Cooper and Ralls Counties and see Lick Creek above. (Schultz, 14; Littre; Cf. theses by Miss Pace and Miss Leech)

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Sandstone Creek ... A tributary of Bolan's Creek in Richwood Township. There is much sandstone along the creek. (Geol. Mo., 122; Meek's Map)

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Shelton Branch ... Rises in western Maries County and flows northwest through the county. Empties into Wiemer Creek. (TOPO Map). A family name.

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Shut-in-Branch ... In Equality Township. A slough on the banks of which J.P. and J.B. Harrison had built a store before the former donated the land for the county seat. I is said that when the river gets high, this slough rises and keeps the people living near "shut-in" their houses. The term "shut-in" is used all over Ozark country to mean a canyon or a place where a stream is walled in by rock which it has cut through. (Schultz, 15; Sauer, 10; McCanse, 12; John Ferguson)

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South Moreau Creek ... A stream which rises in Saline Township. It drains the northwest part of the county and joins the North Moreau to form the Moreau River, a tributary of the Missouri River. Jean Moreau, brother of a boy who had been kidnapped from Cote sans Dessein by Indians, started up this stream looking for his brother. He never returned and the stream was ever after known as the Moreau for him. (Maps 1873f; J.O. Trib., July 16, 1889, 4-6)

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Sugar Creek ... Rises out of Maries County and flows northwest through the county to the Osage River. (TOPO Map)

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Sullivan Branch ... Rises in Osage Township, southwest of St. Elizabeth. Empties into Humphrey's Creek. (TOPO Map). A family name.

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Thompson Hill Creek ... Rises in Maries County, east of St. Elizabeth. Empties into Little Tavern Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Turkey Creek ... Rises in Osage Township near Capps; empties into Lousy Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Wet Auglaize Creek ... A branch of the Grand Auglaize Creek (q.v.). It never goes dry. Cf. Dry Auglaize (q.v.). Also known as Wet Glaize. (Jas. W. Dinwiddie)

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Whalen Branch ... A tributary of the Osage River near St. Elizabeth. Named for an early family, who lived on the land. Also known as Hymen Branch for the family who now owns the land. Known in early days as Lick Branch for several artificial deer licks on it. (L.A. Barton; Tom Clark)

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Whittle Creek ... Rises in southern Richwoods Township, southeast of Brumley. Empties into the Barron Fork. (TOPO Map). A family name.

 

Wiemer Creek ... Rises near Greasy Creek in eastern Miller County. Empties into Tavern Creek. A family name. (TOPO Map). A family name.

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Wilkes Creek ... Rises from Morgan County near Barnett and flows southeasterly then travels northeast through Miller County and empties into the South Moreau Creek. (TOPO Map). A family name.

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Wimmer Creek ... A tributary of Big Tavern Creek not far from Capps. Named for Jacob Wimmer, the first settler on the creek. (Tom Clark)

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Wolf Creek ... Rises in eastern Glaize Township. Flows northwest and empties into Bear Creek. (TOPO Map)

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Other Geological Features:                                                                                                     

 

Bat Cave Arch ... Northeast of St. Elizabeth in Osage township. A natural rock structure in the form of an arch. (zh.mindat.org). Close to county line. Near Meta (Osage County). 

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Devil's Tea Table ... At Hoecker, along the Osage River. A large rock similar to a table. (Tom Clark). Also known as "Devil's Dining Table".

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Hanging Rock ... A large rock formation located at the mouth of Humphrey's Creek and the Osage River (as mentioned above) in Osage Township. (Meek's Map; L.A. Barton; Tom Clark)

 

Islands ... Bell, Berry, Brockmans, Coon Creek, Cotton, Hawaiian, Jones and North St. Louis.  All located along the Osage River.

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King's Bluff ... On the Osage River four miles below Tuscumbia. It is said to be 40 ft. high with all but six feet of its face under water. The origin of the name could not be determined. (Geol. Miller, 23; E.A. Condra; Judge Brockman)

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Photo Gallery of Caves and Other Geological Features - Click Here

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Source: Weber, Frank. "Place Names Of Six South Central Counties of Missouri." M.A. thesis., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1938.

Source: Ball, Sidney. Smith, A. F. "The Geology of Miller County." Missouri Bureau of Geology and Mines, Jefferson City, Missouri, Vol. 1 & 2, 1903.

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