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Current Conditions in Potosi, MO
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Potosi is a city in Washington
County. The population was 2,662 at the 2000 census. It is the county
seat of Washington
County. The city was founded in by Moses
Austin and was named after the Bolivian silver-mining
city of Potosí
A lead mining settlement at this spot, Mine
au Breton, was founded between 1760 and 1780 by Francis Azor, of Brittany,
France. Moses Austin came
here in with his family, including his son Stephen
F. Austin, realizing this was the richest known lead
deposit in the world. He obtained a grant of 7,153 arpents of
land from the Spanish Empire and
started large-scale mining operations, building his town to support
it. He named the town after Potosí in Bolivia,
which was famous for its vast silver mines.
Austin's tomb and the foundation of his home, Durham
Hall can still be seen.
 Scenic Fall Drive: Route
21 from Potosi to Taum Sauk Mountain: Journey through the St. Francois
Mountains to Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in Missouri. Formed
by ancient volcanoes more than 1.5 billion years ago, this region
includes the historic Belleview Valley and Arcadia Valley. Traveling
through the Ozark or St. Francois Mountains affords the chance to view a number of
extraordinary natural wonders, including Big River, Hughes Mountain Natural Area,
Buford Mountain Conservation Area, Elephant Rocks, Johnson’s
Shut-Ins and Taum Sauk Mountain state parks, Fort Davidson State
Historic Site and the Ozark Trail.
Contact the Potosi, Missouri Chamber of Commerce:
P.O. Box 404 , - Potosi, MO 63664
Phone: 573-438-4517 - Fax: 573-438-3676
Contact the
Washington County Chamber of Commerce:
Post Office Box 404 (501 East Main Street)
Phone: (573) 438-5141 - Fax: (573) 438-3676
Local Banks and Lenders:
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