The Christian County Historical Society is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Christian County, Missouri. It operates the Christian County Museum on donations only.

The Museum is located at 100 E Elm St, Ozark, MO 65721 on the historic Ozark Square and is currently open Wednesday – Saturday from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

News

Christian County Museum & Historical Society

Sun July 19th

Christian County Museum & Historical Society
If you weren’t there July 18, you missed a great presentation by Richard Crabtree on the history of the Chadwick Flyer! Follow our page for more upcoming events. … See MoreSee Less

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Christian County Museum & Historical Society

Sun July 19th

Christian County Museum & Historical Society
CHRISTIAN COUNTY BY-GONESFray Johnson operated Ozark’s Ford dealership from 1924 through 1943 (see previous post from 7/12/16). Roughly six months after opening he faced competition from J. W. Bostic’s East Side Garage when it became a Dodge Brothers automobile dealer. Dodge boasted that rather than introducing a new model every year like other companies, Dodge constantly improved their cars. There was no doubt that Dodge featured a fine looking car in this 1926 ad, and perhaps feeling a competitive pinch, Ford later put out the “Cinderella” ad—Fords used to be ugly and dependable, but now they’re pretty, too. (Interestingly, Dodge Brothers originally supplied engines, transmissions and chassis to Ford. In 1913 they left Ford and built the first Dodge Brothers car, intended as an upscale alternative to the Ford Model T being produced at the time.)(From Christian County Republican 9/23/1943, 6/20/1924, 7/11/1924, 6/13/1924, 10/22/1926; https://www.driversdaily.com/history/how-dodge-brothers-built-empire-after-leaving-ford) … See MoreSee Less

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Christian County Museum & Historical Society

Sun July 12th

Christian County Museum & Historical Society
CHRISTIAN COUNTY BY-GONESPictured here are two significant Ozark businesses. The Johnson Motor Company, owned by Fray Johnson, sold Fords from 1924 through his death in 1943, weathering the hard years of the Great Depression when many businesses folded. Diversification may have helped, as by the fall of 1929 Johnson was also selling insurance out of the Ford dealership. Adjacent to it stood the filling station of the E. M. Wilhoit Oil Company. Headquartered in Springfield, Wilhoit had the business running in April 1924. Managed first by Dave McGinnis with C. H. Shelton as the local agent, it was only one of a chain of Wilhoit stations that eventually numbered sixty across southern Missouri. In 1929 Wilhoit sold all the filling stations to Phillips Petroleum. (Wilhoit also built the Wilhoit Building in downtown Springfield, MO, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.)(From Christian County Republican 1/4/1924, 9/23/1943, 10/3/1929, 12/14/1923, 4/25/1924, 12/23/1926, 8/12/1926, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69929343/edward-morton-wilhoit); https://heritageindex.org/historic-places/l/…) … See MoreSee Less

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Christian County Museum & Historical Society

Mon July 6th

Christian County Museum & Historical Society
Thank all of you who responded for your help!WE NEED HELP with an inquiry. Where was the Noel Cox sale barn? … See MoreSee Less
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Contact Us

Address: 100 E Elm St Ozark, MO 65721 on the south side of the Ozark Square

Hours: Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Admission is free.

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 442 Ozark, MO

Email: christiancohistorical@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristianCoHistorical/

Donations/Events

The Christian County Museum runs entirely on the generosity of donors and volunteers. Below are ways you can help:


Membership

Support local history and the Christian County Museum -- join the Christian County Historical Society today! All levels of membership receive the Christian County Historian, our quarterly publication with fascinating articles on county history and announcements of upcoming events.

Membership levels


(To pay by check, please contact us.)

Christian County Museum and Historical Society, Inc. is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization