Howell County Courthouse

Noblett Lake

Noblett Lake Dam

Howell County 

Howell County was organized March 2, 1857, from territories in Oregon and Ozark Counties, and named for the first settler in the area, Josiah Howell.  The county seat at that time was Thomasville, and since the plains on which he settled were west of Thomasville, Howell named the town West Plains.  You might think that isn’t very imaginative, but there were more wild animals to consider back then, and The Fields of Prairie Grasses West of Thomasville, just doesn’t roll off the tongue very quickly.  West Plains later became the county seat, and is still so today.  Howell county covers 928 square miles, with a population of 37,238 (2000 census), making a population density of 40 people per square mile.

Some towns in Howell County are:

West Plains (County Seat) 2000 population: 10,866

West Plains is the largest town in the region and has much to offer.  It is home to a hospital, a number of restaurants, banks, churches, library, Walmart, and the West Plains Campus of Missouri State University.  The West Plains Speedway has races every Saturday night from April through October. West Plains boasts a few famous sons: country music legend Porter Waggoner, sports great Preacher Roe, and comedian Dick Van Dyke. 

Willow Springs 2000 population:  2,147

Willow Springs has everything you want, if all you need are some groceries, some gas, a post office, and country cooking.  This sleepy little hamlet has a K-12 public school system, public library, golf course, and even a small water park.  It also happens to be the home base of Woods & Waters Inc. and OzarkLand.com.

Mountain View  2000 population: 2,430

Mountain View is another quaint town in the Missouri Ozarks.  You’ll find a Walmart and a separate locally owned grocery store right next door, just like when Mr. Walton was alive.  There’s a K-12 public school, swimming pool and tennis courts, a post office, a few restaurants, a small hospital, and a decent little liquor store.  It is also considered a city of murals thanks to a local artist.  Look for the cinder block building painted to look like a log cabin. 

Towns and Villages in Howell County
(linked to Wikipedia)

National Protected Areas

• Mark Twain National Forest

• Ozark National Scenic Riverways

State Conservation Area

• White Ranch Conservation Area