Historic Documents
Primary source documents from Butler County's past — speeches, newspaper articles, letters, and proclamations preserved for future generations.
These documents are transcribed and preserved as part of the Historic Poplar Bluff digital archive. They offer an unfiltered view into the voices, values, and events that shaped this community.
Wright-Dalton-Bell-Anchor Store Co. Business Letter, 1918
Wright-Dalton-Bell-Anchor Store Co.
Digitized by Historic Poplar Bluff
A May 15, 1918 business letter from the Wright-Dalton-Bell-Anchor Store Co. of Poplar Bluff to the Southern Mattress Co. of Little Rock, Arkansas, regarding a credit memorandum for a mattress pad.
An Independence Day Oration
Hon. S. M. Chapman
Hendrickson, Missouri
More than 125 years ago, residents of Hendrickson gathered to celebrate Independence Day. Their featured speaker, Hon. S. M. Chapman, delivered a remarkable address on liberty, citizenship, faith, and national unity — later published in the Poplar Bluff Republican.
Souvenir of Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Walter H. Kennedy
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Original preserved by Poplar Bluff Museum · Digitized by Historic Poplar Bluff
An 1892 photographic souvenir booklet of Poplar Bluff, copyrighted by photographer Walter H. Kennedy and reproduced by The Albertype Co. of New York, digitized from the copy preserved by the Poplar Bluff Museum.
The History of Butler County Industry, 1870–1930
Mary E. Collins
Poplar Bluff, Butler County, Missouri
Digitized by Historic Poplar Bluff
Poplar Bluff
Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club
Poplar Bluff, Butler County, Southeast Missouri
Original preserved by Original physical booklet not held by Historic Poplar Bluff · Digitized by Historic Poplar Bluff (edition assembled from contributor-provided scans courtesy of Bill Clanahan)
A 1920s Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club promotional booklet describing Poplar Bluff and Butler County: history, railroads, highways, industry, schools, agriculture and recreation, with period photographs, a city street map and a county highway map.