What the record shows
The federal survey describes the site: Coordinates approximate.
Howards Bluff is an early settlement near where Marion later was established, and served as county seat of Cole from 1820-22, before it was moved to Marion. Howards Bluff is also mentioned as the site of Jefferson City (as in The House On Howards Bluff about the executive mansion), and one reference says the competition for the new state capital was between Cote Sans Dessein and Howards Bluff with Howards Bluff winning.
Howards Bluff appears in the U.S. Geological Survey's place-name archive as a historical populated place — a settlement that once carried a name and no longer does. Our editors are verifying its full story against census records, newspaper archives, and county histories; this record will grow as sources are confirmed.
Before you visit
Unverified sites may sit on private land, and coordinates from historical records can be imprecise. Verify land status and access before traveling. Take photographs, leave nails — removing artifacts from federal land is a crime.
See it in context on the national atlas map.
From the field
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What the federal record holds within five miles of Howards Bluff
Within five miles the record maps 8 mine shafts, adits and prospect pits, 15 named mineral sites, 9 lost places and 13 cemeteries. Pro puts them on the map with the 1879–1919 survey underneath and a swipe to today.