{{short description|County in Missouri, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Dent County | state = Missouri | seal = | founded year = 1851 | founded date = February 10 | seat wl = Salem | largest city wl = Salem | area_total_sq_mi = 755 | area_land_sq_mi = 753 | area_water_sq_mi = 1.7 | area percentage = 0.2 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 14421 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 14584 {{increase}} | population_density_sq_mi = auto | time zone = Central | coordinates = {{coord|37.61|-91.50|display=inline,title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MO_source:UScensus1990}} | footnotes = | web = https://www.salemmo.com/dent/ | named for = Lewis Dent, a pioneer settler | district = 8th | ex image = Dent County Courthouse, Salem, Missouri.jpg | ex image cap = [[Dent County Courthouse]] in Salem | logo = }} '''Dent County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in [[Missouri]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 14,421.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US29065|access-date=January 19, 2022|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The largest city and [[county seat]] is [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county was officially organized on February 10, 1851, and is named after state representative Lewis Dent, a pioneer settler who arrived in Missouri from [[Virginia]] in 1835.
==History== ===Exploration and settlement=== [[Henry Rowe Schoolcraft]] was one of the earliest visitors to the area that would become Dent County, which was then unmapped and unknown. In 1818, Schoolcraft and Levi Pettibone left [[Potosi, Missouri]] on an adventure that often left them hungry, lost, lonely and in danger. They first headed west from Potosi on a trail that is now followed by Highway 8, then turned south through southern Dent and [[Shannon County, Missouri|Shannon]] counties, where Schoolcraft found the Current River, "a fine stream with fertile banks and clear, sparkling water.” Today the river attracts tourists who launch canoes by the thousands during the summer to enjoy the fast-moving water of the Current and Jack's Fork Rivers in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Schoolcraft traveled to the area of today's [[Springfield, Missouri]], then went east on White River and finally back to Potosi, completing a journey of 89 days.
The White River trail had long been used by Native Americans in Dent County. It later became one of the branches of the [[Trail of Tears]], which saw many [[Cherokees]] pass through on their forced trek to [[Oklahoma]]. Some stopped in Dent County and many old families take pride in their Cherokee heritage. The "trace" wound from Sligo southwest to the Ephraim Bressie Farm on Spring Creek north of Salem. It left the county about the present town of Maples.
The first [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] settler was Dominic Walker, who cleared a farm on the Meramec near Short Bend. It was later the site of the Nelson Mill. An abundance of waterpower and difficulty of transportation made mills important in the settling of the new land. Some of the first settlers came in 1829, mostly to the Meramec, Spring Creek and Dry Fork valleys. Land could be purchased for five cents or less an acre. William Thornton, Daniel Troutman and Daniel M. Wooliver were among the 1829 settlers, followed by William Blackwell, Nicholas Berardy, Elisha Nelson, Jerry Potts, Ephraim Bressie, Robert Leonard, Abner Wingfield, Lewis Dent, Wilson Craddock, Thomas Higginbotham, Jack Berry, Silas Hamby, Smith Wofford, Turquill McNeill, Dr. John Hyer, Samuel Hyer and David Lenox.
===County formation=== In 1851, the Missouri Assembly created Dent County from [[Crawford County, Missouri|Crawford]], [[Shannon County, Missouri|Shannon]], and [[Texas County, Missouri|Texas]], Texas counties. It was named for early settler Lewis Dent,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n103 104]}}</ref> who served as the first representative. G.D. Breckenridge, Samuel Hyer, Jr., and Jotham Clark were the first elected county officials. Joseph Millsap served as sheriff and David Henderson as clerk. They met at the Bressie Farm.
The first mayor of Salem was appointed or elected just after the Missouri state legislature passed the laws relating to village government in 1860. He was W.P. Williams, often referred to as "Rip" from the positive and often violent expression of his feelings and opinions. He lived in Dent County a long time and was a prominent citizen throughout his long life. He became mayor in 1860, but how long he served is unknown. The [[American Civil War]] came about in 1861 and city governments were suspended. After Williams, records show that O.A. Kenemore, a prominent farmer with a home in Salem, became mayor. E.T. Wingo, a lawyer and representative, was next, followed by Ethan Hedrick, who was also a lawyer but never practiced law. He did, however, serve as Deputy Circuit Clerk and Probate Judge. Allen was succeeded by Samuel Sachs. No dates are available listing terms of office for these mayors, but it is likely they served from 1870 to 1881.
===Courthouse=== An earlier log courthouse, built around 1851 or 1852, was Dent County's first, on the Wingfield farm northeast of Salem. In 1852-53 a courthouse was built south of the present courthouse. The building measured about 20 by {{convert|40|ft|m}} and was built by J.T. Garvin for $800. It was burned during the Civil War. The next courthouse, built in 1864, also fell victim to fire in May 1866. The beautiful Victorian courthouse—which is listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]]—was built in 1870 for $15,500. A.E. Dye came to Dent County to build this courthouse. His son, E.L. Dye, assisted him and was to become the leading builder in the county. W.P. Elmer in his history reports that when the courthouse was finished, pictures of it were published in ''McClure's Magazine'' and newspapers in the East to show the development of the West.
===References=== Minerals have greatly influenced the Dent County economy. The iron furnace, built at Sligo, was the greatest, starting in 1880 and active until 1923 (43 years). Sligo was the fourth iron works built in the state, following Meramec, Midland and Nova Scotia. There was plenty of [[iron ore]]—Simmons Hill in Salem, Orchard and Cherry Valley, Millsap, Pomeroy, Hawkins Banks, Red Hill and Scotia. Elmer writes in his history that the Sligo furnace was the most successful and continued longer than any other iron furnace in Missouri. The Sligo furnace was built on Crooked Creek and produced 60 to 80 tons of pig iron a day with some runs of up to 100 tons. E.B. Sankey came from [[New Castle, Pennsylvania]] in 1870 to survey the St. Louis-Salem and Little Rock Railroad from Cuba to Salem. The Sligo & Eastern Railroad ran a branch to East End to gather wood for the kilns producing charcoal for the furnace. Sligo's population in its big years reached 1,000.
In recent times, the largest mining and milling operations were in the "New Lead Belt" some {{convert|30|mi|km}} east of Salem. [[St. Joe Minerals|St. Joe Lead]] started the mining boom at [[Viburnum, Missouri|Viburnum]] in neighboring [[Iron County, Missouri|Iron County]] and soon other major mining companies bought land and mineral rights. The mines brought new families and well-paying jobs with many choosing to live in Salem. [[Doe Run, Missouri|Doe Run]] in nearby [[Saint Francois County, Missouri|St. Francois County]] continues mining and battery reclamation in the area today.
===Electrification=== In 1909, a band of 23 pioneers realized the dream of bringing electric lights to Salem with the formation of the Salem Light & Power Co. The city eventually took over the electric system and produced electricity with two big diesel generators. When the generators could no longer meet the demand and were costly to operate the city contracted with Show-Me-Power Cooperative.
Mrs. Thomas A. Bruce organized the first telephone system. Charlie Jeffries joined the Bruces to install the system around 1900. Homes paid $1 and stores $1.25 per month. Mrs. Bruce suffered agony from her eyes and was blind for 30 years until her death on May 8, 1942. The telephone system was sold to United Telephone, now Sprint.
===Industry=== Salem led the world in the production and shipping of railroad ties for a time. While the early lumber companies cut the vast Ozark pine forests, timber has remained a major asset, with white oak staves for barrels, oak flooring, pallets, charcoal briquettes and lumber. The Bunker-Cul1er Lumber Co. in Bunker was one of the area's biggest industries, and like the mines which hauled wood for the kilns from a large area, Bunker-Cul1er used rails to bring in logs.
Dent County has had its ups and downs economically, but is proud of its record of having five banks during the [[Great Depression]] without a failure. The Great Depression years brought many changes. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) brought young men to the area, many of whom stayed. There were CCC camps at Boss and Indian Trail. In the {{convert|13503|acre|km2}} of the Indian Trail Conservation Area, crews built most of the area's {{convert|55|mi|km}} of access roads. The Conservation Department purchased much of the cut-over land for $2.50/acre.
Dent County's skilled labor force made needlework industries a natural. Ely & Walker's four-story factory (now the Fourth Street Mall) was the first. After [[World War II]] the Industrial Building Corporation raised funds for the International Shoe Factory. Other factories followed, including Salem Sportswear, Barad Lingerie, Paramount Cap and Hagale. Today, foreign competition has all but wiped out the local needlework industry.
After World War II and through the 1950s, 60s and 70s, Dent County underwent changes. There were 60 one-room schools in 1950 and consolidation reduced this number to five districts/plus high schools in Salem and Bunker. Roads were built and improved. Salem Memorial District Hospital was built and became a major industry and health provider.
===Economy=== Today's largest employer in Dent County, U.S. Foodservice, is an institutional food business and began in Salem as Craig Distributing. After World War II, Farris Craig started with a panel truck and peanut vending machines. In 1986, the Craigs sold their business to Kraft Foods, which later sold to Alliant, and is now owned by U.S. Foodservice. The Craigs have left their imprint on Salem with Craig Plaza, the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool, the Salem Visitor Center, and the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center.
With guidance from University of Missouri Extension, the county became the Feeder Pig & Calf Capitol of Missouri, with huge sales in spring and fall auctioning large numbers of livestock graded into pens for size and quality. Loss of farm population often due to the aging of farm owners ended these sales.
==Geography== According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|755|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|753|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.7|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_29.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021170230/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_29.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 15, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }}</ref>
===Adjacent counties=== *[[Crawford County, Missouri|Crawford County]] (northeast) *[[Iron County, Missouri|Iron County]] (southeast) *[[Reynolds County, Missouri|Reynolds County]] (southeast) *[[Shannon County, Missouri|Shannon County]] (south) *[[Texas County, Missouri|Texas County]] (southwest) *[[Phelps County, Missouri|Phelps County]] (northwest)
===National protected areas=== * [[Mark Twain National Forest]] (part) * [[Ozark National Scenic Riverways]] (part)
==Demographics== {{US Census population |1860= 5654 |1870= 6357 |1880= 10646 |1890= 12149 |1900= 12986 |1910= 13245 |1920= 12318 |1930= 10974 |1940= 11763 |1950= 10936 |1960= 10445 |1970= 11457 |1980= 14517 |1990= 13702 |2000= 14927 |2010= 15657 |2020= 14421 |estyear=2025 |estimate=14584 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}} |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mo190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2015<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/29065.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 8, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607040558/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/29065.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref> | align = right }}
===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county had a population of 14,421 and a median age of 45.1 years. 22.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.0% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.9 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A065&in=state%3A29|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 17, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
The racial makeup of the county was 92.3% White, 0.5% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.5% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 0.4% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander]], 0.6% from some other race, and 5.7% from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]], while [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] residents of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A065&in=state%3A29|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 17, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Dent County, Missouri – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small> !Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small> !Pop 1980<ref name=1980Census>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Missouri- Table 16 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1980/volume-1/missouri/1980a_moabc-02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|page=20-25}}</ref> !Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-27.pdf|access-date=|page=13-63}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Dent County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US29065&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dent County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US29065&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dent County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US29065&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH) |14,406 |13,513 |14,420 |15,021 |style='background: #ffffe6; |13,203 |99.24% |98.62% |96.60% |95.94% |style='background: #ffffe6; |91.55% |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH) |0 |9 |55 |55 |style='background: #ffffe6; |52 |0.00% |0.07% |0.37% |0.35% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.36% |- |[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH) |21 |60 |105 |135 |style='background: #ffffe6; |61 |0.14% |0.44% |0.70% |0.86% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.42% |- |[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH) |17 |28 |32 |41 |style='background: #ffffe6; |54 |0.12% |0.20% |0.21% |0.26% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.37% |- |[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH) |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref> |2 |7 |style='background: #ffffe6; |7 |x |x |0.01% |0.04% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05% |- |[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH) |7 |3 |4 |5 |style='background: #ffffe6; |47 |0.05% |0.02% |0.03% |0.03% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.33% |- |[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH) |x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref> |197 |245 |style='background: #ffffe6; |726 |x |x |1.32% |1.56% |style='background: #ffffe6; |5.03% |- |[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |66 |89 |112 |148 |style='background: #ffffe6; |271 |0.45% |0.65% |0.75% |0.95% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.88% |- |'''Total''' |'''14,517''' |'''13,702''' |'''14,927''' |'''15,657''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''14,421 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}
32.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 67.5% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A065&in=state%3A29|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 17, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
There were 5,946 households in the county, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 6,819 housing units, of which 12.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.8% were owner-occupied and 27.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 14,927 people, 5,982 households, and 4,277 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|20|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 6,994 housing units at an average density of {{convert|9|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.07% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.40% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.73% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.21% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.17% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.41% from two or more races. Approximately 0.75% of the population were [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.
There were 5,982 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.90.
24.90% of the county population was under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,991, and the median income for a family was $40,258. Males had a median income of $26,590 versus $17,500 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,728. About 12.70% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.30% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.
===Religion=== According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/c/29/rcms2010_29065_county_name_2010.asp|title=The Association of Religion Data Archives {{!}} Maps & Reports|website=www.thearda.com|access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> Dent County is a part of the [[Bible Belt]] with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. 46% of Dent County residents are considered "Non-adherents" of religion (those who do not attend a particular church regularly) making this the largest single group in the survey. Among the 54% of residents who adhere to a religion, the most predominant denominations in Dent County (who adhere to a religion) are [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptists]] (67.22%), [[Assemblies of God|Pentecostals]] (6.43%), and [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]] (5.91%). ==Transportation== ===Major highways=== *[[Image:MO-19.svg|20px]] [[Missouri Route 19|Route 19]] *[[Image:MO-32.svg|20px]] [[Missouri Route 32|Route 32]] *[[Image:MO-68.svg|20px]] [[Missouri Route 68|Route 68]] *[[Image:MO-72.svg|20px]] [[Missouri Route 72|Route 72]]
===Airports=== *Salem Memorial Airport
==Politics== ===Local=== The [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] holds a majority of elected offices in the county, as nine of the county's 14 elected officials, including the county's three commissioners, are all [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]s; .
On July 13, 2015, the county commissioners, Darrell Skiles (R), Dennis Purcell (R), and Gary Larson (R) voted unanimously to lower all flags to half staff every month on the 26th for a year to protest the Supreme Court decision regarding same sex marriage rights.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rawstory.com/2015/07/missouri-county-to-fly-flags-at-half-mast-to-mourn-supreme-courts-despicable-marriage-ruling/|title=Missouri county to fly flags at half-mast to mourn Supreme Court's 'despicable' marriage ruling|date=July 14, 2015|work=Raw Story|access-date=July 17, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
On July 14, 2015, the county commissioners reversed their decision to lower the flag citing improper flag protocol concerns.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/missouri-gay-marriage_us_55a55ca8e4b0896514cf7aab|title=Missouri County Cancels 'Mourning' For Gay Marriage After Citizens Protest|last=Fang|first=Marina|date=July 14, 2015|work=Huffington Post|access-date=March 25, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
{{Missouri county elected officials | name =Dent County, Missouri | assessor =Tina Whitaker | assessorparty =Democratic | circuitclerk =Becky Goforth Swiney | circuitclerkparty =Democratic | countyclerk =Angie Curley | countyclerkparty =Democratic | presiding =Darrell Skiles | presidingparty =Republican | district1 =Dennis Purcell | district1party =Republican | district2 =Gary Larson | district2party =Republican | collector =Shannon VanKirk | collectorparty =Republican | coroner =Gina White | coronerparty =Democratic | prosecutor =Andrew Curley | prosecutorparty =Republican | administrator =Sherida Cook | administratorparty=Republican | recorder =Cindy Ard | recorderparty =Republican | sheriff =Bob Wells | sheriffparty =Republican | surveyor =Craig Ruble | surveyorparty =Democratic | treasurer =Denita Williams | treasurerparty =Republican }}
===State=== {| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;" |+ Past Gubernatorial Elections Results |- bgcolor=lightgrey ! Year ! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] ! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] ! [[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]] |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[2024 Missouri gubernatorial election|2024]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''83.38%''' ''5,851'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|14.48% ''1,016'' |align="center" |2.14% ''150'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2020|2020]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''81.09%''' ''5,768'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|16.04% ''1,141'' |align="center" |2.87% ''204'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2016|2016]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''73.05%''' ''4,967'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|24.05% ''1,635'' |align="center" |2.90% ''197'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2012|2012]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''54.20%''' ''3,595'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|42.56% ''2,823'' |align="center" |3.24% ''215'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2008|2008]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|44.71% ''3,055'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''52.44%''' ''3,583'' |align="center" |2.85% ''195'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2004|2004]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''65.18%''' ''4,122'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|33.08% ''2,092'' |align="center" |1.84% ''110'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2000|2000]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''57.39%''' ''3,403'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|40.49% ''2,401'' |align="center" |2.12% ''126'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1996|1996]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|43.87% ''2,445'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''53.54%''' ''2,984'' |align="center" |2.59% ''144'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1992|1992]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|44.33% ''2,582'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''55.67%''' ''3,242'' |align="center" |0.00% ''0'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1988|1988]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''63.56%''' ''3,438'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|35.72% ''1,932'' |align="center" |0.72% ''39'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1984|1984]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''59.58%''' ''3,580'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|40.42% ''2,429'' |align="center" |0.00% ''0'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1980|1980]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''52.30%''' ''3,198'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|47.56% ''2,908'' |align="center" |0.15% ''9'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1976|1976]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|48.13% ''2,597'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''51.82%''' ''2,796'' |align="center" |0.06% ''3'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1972|1972]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''54.54%''' ''2,632'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|45.36% ''2,189'' |align="center" |0.01% ''5'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1968|1968]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|45.69% ''2,025'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''54.31%''' ''2,407'' |align="center" |0.00% ''0'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1964|1964]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|40.11% ''1,847'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''59.89%''' ''2,758'' |align="center" |0.00% ''0'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1960|1960]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|43.12% ''2,487'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''56.88%''' ''3,820'' |align="center" |0.00% ''0'' |}
In the [[Missouri House of Representatives]], all of Dent County is a part of Missouri's 143rd District and is currently represented by Jeff Pogue (R- [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?year=2017&district=143|title=Missouri House of Representatives|website=house.mo.gov|access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 143 — Dent County (2016)<ref name=MOSOS>{{cite web|title= County Results - State of Missouri - 2016 General Election - November 8, 2016 - Official Results|publisher=Missouri Secretary of State| url=http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?year=2017&district=143|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref>}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jeff Pogue''' |votes = '''5,863''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 143 — Dent County (2014)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jeff Pogue''' |votes = '''3,430''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = '''+24.36''' }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 143 — Dent County (2012)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jeff Pogue''' |votes = '''4,964''' |percentage = '''75.64%''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Shane Van Steenis |votes = 1,599 |percentage = 24.36% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
In the [[Missouri Senate]], all of Dent County is a part of Missouri's 16th District and is currently represented by [http://www.senate.mo.gov/mem16/ Dan W. Brown] (R- [[Rolla, Missouri|Rolla]]). {{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate — District 16 — Dent County (2014)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Dan Brown''' |votes = '''3,297''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = }} {{Election box end}}
===Federal=== Missouri's two [[U.S. senator]]s are [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] [[Josh Hawley]] and [[Eric Schmitt]]. {{Election box begin|title=U.S. Senate — Missouri — Dent County (2016)<ref name=MOSOS/>}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Roy Blunt''' |votes = '''4,653''' |percentage = '''68.76%''' |change = '''+15.54''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jason Kander |votes = 1,795 |percentage = 26.53% |change = -12.37 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Jonathan Dine |votes = 167 |percentage = 2.47% |change = -5.41 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Green Party (United States) |candidate = Johnathan McFarland |votes = 88 |percentage = 1.30% |change = +1.30 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Constitution Party (United States) |candidate = Fred Ryman |votes = 61 |percentage = 0.90% |change = +0.90 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Write-in candidate |candidate = Gina Bufe |votes = 3 |percentage = 0.04% |change = +0.04 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=U.S. Senate — Missouri — Dent County (2012)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Todd Akin |votes = 3,499 |percentage = 53.22% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Claire McCaskill''' |votes = '''2,558''' |percentage = '''38.90%''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Jonathan Dine |votes = 518 |percentage = 7.88% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
All of Dent County is included in [[Missouri's 8th congressional district]] and is currently represented by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Jason T. Smith]] of [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]] in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]]. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to complete the remaining term of former [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[U.S. Representative]] [[Jo Ann Emerson]] of [[Cape Girardeau, Missouri|Cape Girardeau]]. Emerson announced her resignation a month after being reelected with over 70 percent of the vote in the district. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative. {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Dent County (2016)<ref name=MOSOS/>}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jason T. Smith''' |votes = '''5,687''' |percentage = '''84.23%''' |change = '''+0.51''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Dave Cowell |votes = 923 |percentage = 13.67% |change = +0.74 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Jonathan Shell |votes = 142 |percentage = 2.10% |change = +1.01 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Dent County (2014)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jason T. Smith''' |votes = '''3,445''' |percentage = '''83.72%''' |change = '''-2.41%''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Barbara Stocker |votes = 532 |percentage = 12.93% |change = +0.25 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Rick Vandeven |votes = 45 |percentage = 1.09% |change = +0.51 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Constitution Party (United States) |candidate = Doug Enyart |votes = 36 |percentage = 0.87% |change = +0.87 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Independent (politician) |candidate = Terry Hampton |votes = 57 |percentage = 1.39% |change = +1.39 }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Dent County (Special Election 2013)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jason T. Smith''' |votes = '''2,385''' |percentage = '''86.13%''' |change = '''+7.62''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Hodges |votes = 351 |percentage = 12.68% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Bill Slantz |votes = 16 |percentage = 0.58% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Constitution Party (United States) |candidate = Doug Enyart |votes = 17 |percentage = 0.61% |change = +0.61 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Dent County (2012)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jo Ann Emerson''' |votes = '''5,151''' |percentage = '''78.51%''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jack Rushin |votes = 1,213 |percentage = 18.49% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Rick Vandeven |votes = 197 |percentage = 3.00% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
====Political culture==== {{PresHead|place=Dent County, Missouri|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref>}} <!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> {{PresRow|1888|Democratic|957|1,172|71|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1892|Democratic|896|1,268|33|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,097|1,493|8|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1900|Democratic|1,085|1,419|36|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1904|Democratic|1,154|1,186|35|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,290|1,330|43|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|959|1,280|252|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,252|1,457|74|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,204|1,970|90|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1924|Democratic|1,779|2,263|111|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,367|1,871|28|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,701|3,293|23|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,313|3,168|33|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,652|3,101|13|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,456|2,699|7|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,003|2,973|14|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,755|2,738|4|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1956|Democratic|2,658|2,961|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,212|2,593|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,788|2,860|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,369|1,810|469|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,024|1,710|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,433|2,931|37|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,477|2,528|126|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,490|2,544|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,975|2,421|21|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,125|2,689|1,063|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|2,542|2,234|762|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,996|1,839|153|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,369|1,865|70|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|4,655|2,056|157|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,883|1,585|203|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,600|978|213|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|5,987|1,056|99|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|6,013|1,025|65|Missouri}} {{PresFoot}} Dent County is, like most rural counties, conservative and often solidly supports [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]s at the presidential level. [[Bill Clinton]] was the last [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] presidential nominee to win Dent County in 1992; he lost the county during his 1996 reelection bid, and since then, voters in Dent County have strongly backed Republicans.
Like most rural areas throughout Southeast Missouri, voters in Dent County generally adhere to socially and culturally [[Conservatism|conservative]] principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on [[Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 (2004)|a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman]]—it overwhelmingly passed Dent County with 85.93 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban [[same-sex marriage]]. In 2006, Missourians voted on [[Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 (2006)|a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state]]—it failed in Dent County with 66.49 percent voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve [[Embryonic stem cell|embryonic stem cell research]]. Despite Dent County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing [[Populism|populist]] causes like increasing the [[minimum wage]]. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Dent County with 69.70 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage. In 2015, Dent County commissioners voted to officially mourn the US Supreme Court ruling which legalized same-sex marriage. The flags at the Dent County Courthouse and the Judicial Building were to be lowered to below half-staff on the 26th of each month for a year. However, after encountering criticism from supporters, the commissioners reversed their decision.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/about-face-dent-county-commissioners-nix-mourning-of-same-sex/article_58fa8323-1a20-5485-94e2-d932b8511483.html|title=Rural Missouri county won't lower courthouse flag after all|last=Moore|first=Doug|work=stltoday.com|access-date=March 25, 2018|language=en}}</ref>
==Education== Of adults 25 years of age and older in Dent County, 66.3% possesses a [[High School Diploma (United States)|high school diploma]] or higher while 10.1% holds a [[bachelor's degree]] or higher as their highest educational attainment.
===Public schools=== *Dent-Phelps R-III School District - [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dentphelps.k12.mo.us/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628033144/http://www.dentphelps.k12.mo.us/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2009|title=Dent-Phelps Home Page|date=June 28, 2009|access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> *Green Forest R-II School District - [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gfr2.k12.mo.us/|title=HOME OF THE MUSTANGS|website=HOME OF THE MUSTANGS|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> **Green Forest Elementary School (K-08) *North Wood R-IV School District - [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.northwood.k12.mo.us/|title=North Wood R-IV: Every Child Matters...Every Day!|website=www.northwood.k12.mo.us|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> **North Wood Elementary School (PK-08) *Oak Hill R-I School District - [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]] **Oak Hill Elementary School (PK-08) **Dent-Phelps Elementary School (K-08) *Salem R-80 School District - [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salem.k12.mo.us/|title=Salem R80 School District|website=Salem R80 School District|access-date=July 17, 2018|archive-date=July 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717124745/http://www.salem.k12.mo.us/|url-status=dead}}</ref> **William H. Lynch Elementary School (K-02) **Salem Upper Elementary School (03-06) **Salem Jr. High School (07-09) **Salem High School (10-12)
===Alternative and vocational schools=== *Salem 61 School - [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]] - (K-12) - Special Education *Ozark Hills State School - [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]] - (K-12) - A school for handicapped students and those with other special needs.
===Colleges and universities=== *Southwest Baptist University Annex - [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]] - A satellite campus of [[Southwest Baptist University]].
===Public libraries=== *Salem Public Library<ref>{{cite web | last = Breeding | first = Marshall | title = Salem Public Library | publisher = Libraries.org | url = https://librarytechnology.org/library/20343 | access-date = May 8, 2017}}</ref>
==Communities== ===Cities=== {{Div col|colwidth=10em|rules=no}} * [[Bunker, Missouri|Bunker]] * [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]] (county seat) {{div col end}}
===Unincorporated communities=== {{Div col|colwidth=10em|rules=no}} * [[Anutt, Missouri|Anutt]] * [[Bangert, Missouri|Bangert]] * [[Boss, Missouri|Boss]] * [[Condray, Missouri|Condray]] * [[Cooksey, Missouri|Cooksey]] * [[Coulstone, Missouri|Coulstone]] * [[Custer, Missouri|Custer]] * [[Darien, Missouri|Darien]] * [[Doss, Missouri|Doss]] * [[Fawn, Missouri|Fawn]] * [[Gladden, Missouri|Gladden]] * [[Hedrick, Missouri|Hedrick]] * [[Hobson, Missouri|Hobson]] * [[Howes, Missouri|Howes]] * [[Howes Mill, Missouri|Howes Mill]] * [[Jack, Missouri|Jack]] * [[Jadwin, Missouri|Jadwin]] * [[Joy, Missouri|Joy]] * [[Lake Spring, Missouri|Lake Spring]] * [[Lecoma, Missouri|Lecoma]] * [[Lenox, Missouri|Lenox]] * [[Montauk, Missouri|Montauk]] * [[Mounce, Missouri|Mounce]] * [[Ranger, Missouri|Ranger]] * [[Rhyse, Missouri|Rhyse]] * [[Sligo, Missouri|Sligo]] * [[Short Bend, Missouri|Short Bend]] * [[Stone Hill, Missouri|Stone Hill]] {{div col end}}
==See also== *[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Dent County, Missouri]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== * ''History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps, and Dent counties, Missouri'' (1889) [https://archive.today/20140327084711/http://digital.library.umsystem.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=2eb3977dac6e01be233d3e8ddf7526ca;g=;c=umlib;idno=umlr000006 full text]
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{official website}} * [http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/specialcollections/platbooks.htm Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Dent County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816173126/http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/specialcollections/platbooks.htm |date=August 16, 2011 }} from [[University of Missouri]] Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books
{{Geographic Location |Centre = Dent County, Missouri |North = |Northeast = [[Crawford County, Missouri|Crawford County]] |East = [[Iron County, Missouri|Iron County]] and [[Reynolds County, Missouri|Reynolds County]] |Southeast = |South = [[Shannon County, Missouri|Shannon County]] |Southwest = [[Texas County, Missouri|Texas County]] |West = [[Phelps County, Missouri|Phelps County]] and [[Texas County, Missouri|Texas County]] |Northwest = [[Phelps County, Missouri|Phelps County]] }} {{Dent County, Missouri}} {{Missouri}} {{authority control}}
[[Category:Dent County, Missouri| ]] [[Category:1851 establishments in Missouri]] [[Category:Missouri counties]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1851]]