Historic Map - California, MO - 1869

Bird's eye view of California, Moniteau Co., Missouri 1869. Drawn by A. Ruger.

Reproduction map of the community known as California, MO, drawn by Prussian born Albert Ruger. Originally called Boonsborough, the town of California was established in 1834. When Moniteau County was formed in 1845, it was decided that Boonsborough would become the county seat. The county court wasn't willing to pay for land in Boonsborough, so they selected a site about a mile west and in 1846, the old Boonsborough's Post Office required the community to change its name. Rumor has it that California was named for California Wilson, who had offered locals two gallons of whiskey if they would name their town after him, but it is well known that Missouri has a long standing tradition of naming its cities after states. The town of California was incorporated in 1848. It elected its first city officials in 1858. That year the Weekly California News began operation. Today it stands as Moniteau County's oldest established business, circulating now as the California Democrat.

By the end of the civil war California boasted ten dry goods stores, two drug stores, the printing office and a bank. The Moniteau County Fair began in 1866. In 1867, construction began on the new courthouse. It would resemble the former State Capitol building, from the 1840's, with a semicircular front portico and square mounted abaci at the top of brick columns. Also built in that year was the Rice Mansion. A Victorian home with twelve-foot ceilings, six-foot hallways and thirty six narrow seven-foot windows. Both are still prominent structures in California, Missouri. Today California is known as The Country Ham Capital of the World.

The map features clearly labeled street names with lively scenes of railroad, carriage and pedestrian traffic.