History of Keytesville

The county seat of Chariton County, Keytesville was founded in 1817.

It originally sat on the banks of the Missouri and Chariton Rivers until flooding forced residents to move to higher ground. The town took its name from James Keyte, a Methodist preacher and entrepreneur, who donated land for the new location in 1833.

A few famous people have called Keytesville home. Confederate General Sterling Price, the 11th governor of Missouri, lived here. General Maxwell Taylor was born in Keytesville, as was sports star Cal Hubbard, a member of both the Football and Baseball Halls of Fame.

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Log Cabin

Logs salvaged from two early Keytesville homes, dating back as far as 1840, were used in the construction of an authentic hand-hewn log house. It features a single room with loft plus a lean-to and porch.

• Log Cabin
  Hill & North Streets
  Keytesville, MO.

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General Sterling Price Museum

Artifacts and memorabilia related to Price and the history of Chariton County are found here. One room recreates a parlor of the 1860s, complete with a square grand piano.

A statue of Price stands in Price Park.

• General Sterling Price Museum
  Bridge Street
  Keytesville, MO
  Phone: (660) 288-3747

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Missouri River Communities Network 200 Old Highway 63 South, Columbia, MO 65201 Email: moriver@coin.org
All information checked for accuracy: July 2003