Festus, Missouri
Population: 9,660
Located in Jefferson County
In 1843, a Michigan company conducted a search to find land with valuable minerals in Missouri. Mineralogist and geologist Forrest Shepherd located silica sand on the east side of Plattin Creek in 1868. Captain Ebenezer B. Ward of Detroit founded the American Plate Glass Company in a Mississippi River town he called New Detroit. In 1877, the glass plant was sold to Crystal Plate Glass Company of St. Louis. As the town grew and the reputation for glass production spread, it was decided to change the name to Crystal City. Crystal Plate Glass exercised complete control over its land and buildings. No saloons, non-employee homes or private enterprises were allowed to exist. As a result, a new community beyond Crystal City borders was established; first called Limitsville later Tanglefoot. As the new town developed, residents wished to have a more dignified name for their city when it was platted. Legend says that Elizabeth Posch, local business owner, opened her Bible and declared that the first proper name that she would come upon would be Tanglefoot's new name. The name was Festus for Acts 25:1. With a population of only a few hundred, the Festus residents were dependent upon the glass plant for their livelihood. In just a few short years, Festus' population grew to over 1,000 and new businesses flourished. In 1895, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, later known as PPG Industries acquired the factory, town and holdings. Crystal City remained a company town until 1906, when private citizens were first allowed to purchase building lots. (PPG Industries was a major area employer for almost 100 years.) Crystal City and Festus, the Missouri Twin Cities, after long ago leaving company town roots behind, have entered the new millennium with the perfect blend of proud tradition and cutting edge technology. There are now many locally owned and operated businesses in Festus, and they are flourishing. This is still a rural area although the population has increased since the town's inception - there are approximately 8,700 residents in this town and that number is steadily rising. Schools are a priority for the people of Festus and the students go to the finest schools that Jefferson County offers. So, if you are looking for a taste of the country, with a parcel of land without spending a lot of money, then Festus is definitely the town for you! To top it off, Festus is not that far from St. Louis and a short drive can get you to that fine city with everything there your heart could desire from a large city! Find homes for sale in Festus Missouri
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