Cote Sans Dessein Township, Callaway County, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Cote Sans Dessein Township is one of eighteen townships
in Callaway County
, Missouri
, USA
. As of the 2010 census, its population was 1,122.
The streams of Cason Branch, Gallons Creek, Muddy Creek, Rivaux Creek, Rocky Branch and Sand Springs Branch run through this township.
The name "Cote Sans Dessein" means literally "hill without design". Translated, it could be "hill by itself", "isolated hill", or "accidental hill". This is in reference to the hill along the north bank of the Missouri River
that appears to belong with the many hills on the south side. However, the river is between, thus leaving this hill alone and making its placement look somewhat accidental.
In a letter written in 1883, T. J. Ferguson wrote that the name was pronounced by the old French as "Cote Sans Dusaw".
Cote Sans Dessein is a hill on the north bank of the Missouri River located just across from the confluence of the Osage River
with the Missouri at latitude 38.588812, longitude -91.985099, about 12 miles (19.3 km) east of Jefferson City
. The hill is a unique geologic formation in that it stands on the north bank of the river, nearly a mile across the river valley from the north bluff. It is referred to in the area as Cote Hill.
The east end of Cote Sans Dessein became the site for an early settlement, the second village to spring up west of St. Louis
, settled approximately 1808, and a thriving riverboat landing and trading village. It was the site of several documented battles with Indians during the War of 1812
and was recommended as a site for the first capitol of the state of Missouri by Jonathan Ramsey, head of the Missouri Capitol Commission, before clouded land titles in the area made the current site of Jefferson City more acceptable due to a relative abundance of untitled lands more suitably situated.
An area approximately 200 to 400 yd (182.9 to 365.8 ) east of Cote sans Dessein hill became the site for the early settlement known as French Village of Cote sans Dessein. It is commonly accepted that the village of Cote sans Dessein was settled in 1808 by part of the residents of La Charette in concert with the fur trading Choteau family of St. Louis. The village of La Charette in today’s Warren County
was noted as the last outpost of society west of St. Louis by Meriwether Lewis
and William Clark in their expedition of 1804-1806
. The Cote sans Dessein village prospered and became the “jumping off point” for settlers coming into the Osage
, Cole, and Callaway County area. The 1884 History of Callaway County documents over 80 individuals known to be present in Cote sans Dessein in 1817. As more settlers from Virginia
, as well as Kentucky
, flooded into the area, the village grew and prospered and became a significant trading village in the very early days of the steamboat era. It was at this time that Bennett's Landing and the Cannel Coal refining plant of Callaway Mining and Manufacturing were established at the east end of Cote Hill.
The momentous flood of June 1844, known as the record flood of the Missouri River until that of 1993, virtually destroyed the village of Cote sans Dessein. Following that flooding event approximately two-thirds of the residents moved to higher ground south of the river in Osage County. They named the village "French Village", which later became known as Dauphine, and which was changed a third and final time to Bonnot's Mill, as it is known today. The remaining one-third of the residents scattered up and down the river valley inland for several miles, with only a small number rebuilding with more permanent structures at the steamboat landing at the very east end of Cote sans Dessein hill.
Flooding of the 1880s and 1890s, particularly 1883, 1891 and 1892, wreaked havoc on the second village of Cote sans Dessein, and in this time period most of the village was again relocated to the low bluff line along the north side of what is now Highway 94, centered around its intersection with what is now Hwy AA. The store was moved and relocated to the west side of Hwy AA about 150 yards north of its intersection with Hwy 94. Only a few houses remained in the area of what once was the second village of Cote sans Dessein.
In 1895, the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad, commonly known as the KATY railroad, was completed and small communities at railroad stops along the line sprang up almost immediately. Residents of the area frequently displaced by flooding in the Missouri River bottoms began immediately to relocate to these railroad communities to take advantage of the commercial opportunities offered by the railroads in locations that were above the floodplain of the Missouri River. It was at this time that the third village of Cote sans Dessein relocated in its entirety to Tebbetts
, approximately two miles to the east.
Descendants of those early settlers documented at Cote sans Dessein may be found scattered up and down both sides of the Missouri River valley and in the surrounding higher lands for dozens of miles.
Not as well known is that Cote Sans Dessein was the site of the first railroad in the state. Earlier incorporations of railroads in Missouri by the Missouri Legislature so it was not the first; but was very very early. The earliest incorporated railroad in Missouri was the Carondelet & St. Louis railroad on Feb. 06, 1837 and the Callaway Mining and Manufacturing railroad was incorporated by the Legislature on Feb. 16, 1847, with many others in between. It was the first instance of a very local railroad associated with business interests that could be found.
Township (United States)
A township in the United States is a small geographic area. Townships range in size from 6 to 54 square miles , with being the norm.The term is used in three ways....
in Callaway County
Callaway County, Missouri
Callaway County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is part of the Jefferson City, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 44,332. Its county seat is Fulton. The county was organized in 1820. It was named for Capt. James Callaway, a grandson of...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, its population was 1,122.
Geography
Cote Sans Dessein Township covers an area of 48.82 square miles (126.4 km²) and contains no incorporated settlements. It contains six cemeteries: Farmer, High Hill, Middle River, Riverview, Thorp and Williams.The streams of Cason Branch, Gallons Creek, Muddy Creek, Rivaux Creek, Rocky Branch and Sand Springs Branch run through this township.
History
The township is named after a town settled by the French before 1815 on land granted to Jean Baptiste Roy in 1808. By 1818 there was a horse mill, school, and a Methodist preacher began making regular visits.The name "Cote Sans Dessein" means literally "hill without design". Translated, it could be "hill by itself", "isolated hill", or "accidental hill". This is in reference to the hill along the north bank of the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
that appears to belong with the many hills on the south side. However, the river is between, thus leaving this hill alone and making its placement look somewhat accidental.
In a letter written in 1883, T. J. Ferguson wrote that the name was pronounced by the old French as "Cote Sans Dusaw".
Cote Sans Dessein is a hill on the north bank of the Missouri River located just across from the confluence of the Osage River
Osage River
The Osage River is a tributary of the Missouri River in central Missouri in the United States. The Osage River is one of the larger rivers in Missouri. The river drains a mostly rural area of . The watershed includes an area of east-central Kansas and a large portion of west-central and central...
with the Missouri at latitude 38.588812, longitude -91.985099, about 12 miles (19.3 km) east of Jefferson City
Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City is the capital of the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. Located in Callaway and Cole counties, it is the principal city of the Jefferson City metropolitan area, which encompasses the entirety of both counties. As of the 2010 census, the population was 43,079...
. The hill is a unique geologic formation in that it stands on the north bank of the river, nearly a mile across the river valley from the north bluff. It is referred to in the area as Cote Hill.
The east end of Cote Sans Dessein became the site for an early settlement, the second village to spring up west of St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, settled approximately 1808, and a thriving riverboat landing and trading village. It was the site of several documented battles with Indians during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
and was recommended as a site for the first capitol of the state of Missouri by Jonathan Ramsey, head of the Missouri Capitol Commission, before clouded land titles in the area made the current site of Jefferson City more acceptable due to a relative abundance of untitled lands more suitably situated.
An area approximately 200 to 400 yd (182.9 to 365.8 ) east of Cote sans Dessein hill became the site for the early settlement known as French Village of Cote sans Dessein. It is commonly accepted that the village of Cote sans Dessein was settled in 1808 by part of the residents of La Charette in concert with the fur trading Choteau family of St. Louis. The village of La Charette in today’s Warren County
Warren County, Missouri
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Warren County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area and is located west of the city on the north side of the Missouri River. As of 2008, the population was estimated to be 31,214. Its county seat is Warrenton...
was noted as the last outpost of society west of St. Louis by Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark...
and William Clark in their expedition of 1804-1806
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
. The Cote sans Dessein village prospered and became the “jumping off point” for settlers coming into the Osage
Osage County, Missouri
Osage County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The county was named for the Osage River. As of 2000, the population was 13,062. Its county seat is Linn. The center of population of Missouri is located in Osage County, in the city of Westphalia .Osage County is part of the...
, Cole, and Callaway County area. The 1884 History of Callaway County documents over 80 individuals known to be present in Cote sans Dessein in 1817. As more settlers from Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, as well as Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, flooded into the area, the village grew and prospered and became a significant trading village in the very early days of the steamboat era. It was at this time that Bennett's Landing and the Cannel Coal refining plant of Callaway Mining and Manufacturing were established at the east end of Cote Hill.
The momentous flood of June 1844, known as the record flood of the Missouri River until that of 1993, virtually destroyed the village of Cote sans Dessein. Following that flooding event approximately two-thirds of the residents moved to higher ground south of the river in Osage County. They named the village "French Village", which later became known as Dauphine, and which was changed a third and final time to Bonnot's Mill, as it is known today. The remaining one-third of the residents scattered up and down the river valley inland for several miles, with only a small number rebuilding with more permanent structures at the steamboat landing at the very east end of Cote sans Dessein hill.
Flooding of the 1880s and 1890s, particularly 1883, 1891 and 1892, wreaked havoc on the second village of Cote sans Dessein, and in this time period most of the village was again relocated to the low bluff line along the north side of what is now Highway 94, centered around its intersection with what is now Hwy AA. The store was moved and relocated to the west side of Hwy AA about 150 yards north of its intersection with Hwy 94. Only a few houses remained in the area of what once was the second village of Cote sans Dessein.
In 1895, the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad, commonly known as the KATY railroad, was completed and small communities at railroad stops along the line sprang up almost immediately. Residents of the area frequently displaced by flooding in the Missouri River bottoms began immediately to relocate to these railroad communities to take advantage of the commercial opportunities offered by the railroads in locations that were above the floodplain of the Missouri River. It was at this time that the third village of Cote sans Dessein relocated in its entirety to Tebbetts
Tebbetts, Missouri
Tebbetts is an unincorporated community in eastern Callaway County, Missouri, USA. It is part of the Jefferson City, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located on Route 94 about eight miles east of Jefferson City, Missouri near the Missouri River, at ....
, approximately two miles to the east.
Descendants of those early settlers documented at Cote sans Dessein may be found scattered up and down both sides of the Missouri River valley and in the surrounding higher lands for dozens of miles.
Not as well known is that Cote Sans Dessein was the site of the first railroad in the state. Earlier incorporations of railroads in Missouri by the Missouri Legislature so it was not the first; but was very very early. The earliest incorporated railroad in Missouri was the Carondelet & St. Louis railroad on Feb. 06, 1837 and the Callaway Mining and Manufacturing railroad was incorporated by the Legislature on Feb. 16, 1847, with many others in between. It was the first instance of a very local railroad associated with business interests that could be found.