The town of Eldon was platted March 15th, 1882.
George Weeks decided to layout and plat a new town, Eldon Town Company, to surround the proposed railroad tracks. He donated 40 Acres of land to the railway company to build the first depot in Eldon.Research Citations: Eldon Platted in 1882
"The town of Eldon was platted 15 March 1882 when it became apparent the railroad would be built there and not at Aurora Springs, which was the county's 'boom town' during those days."
"The town of Eldon was platted 15 March 1882 when it became apparent the railroad would be built there and not at Aurora Springs, which was the county's 'boom town' during those days. George Riley Weeks, a Civil War veteran, came to Miller Co. circa 1867 from the state of Vermont. George brought his wife, Almira (Joslyn) Weeks and two children to Missouri following the war."
"George Weeks continued to buy many acres in what is today the city of Eldon. When it was determined that a railroad would be built through the area north of Aurora Springs, George decided to layout and plat a new town to surround the proposed railroad tracks. When the old Missouri Pacific Line (called the Jefferson City, Lebanon, and Southwest railroad) was constructed through northern Miller County, George donated land to the railway company to build a depot.
George Weeks platted the original town of Eldon to contain 109 blocks. The streets, named by George, included: Mill, Maple, Oak, Aurora, Pine, Spruce, Broadway, Locust, Grand, Chestnut, and Walnut (all running north and south). The streets which ran east and west were First Street to Fifteenth Street. By 1905, Eldon had two railroads, the Missouri Pacific, with a depot at Second & Maple Streets, and the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific with its depot located at the corner of Sixth & Maple Streets."
"George Weeks and Isaac Newton built the Eldon Roller Mills on the site of Gerbes Supermarket. The mill 'fired' and built the bricks for their own use at the mill. Behind the mill building was an old mill pond but today there is no evidence of the pond."
Full Article: Miller County Museum
Zoomable 1913 Map Which shows the Rock Island Line at Maple & 6th Street.
Thank you Randles Court for sharing these books with me!
I found a new resource that provides a lot more details about how Eldon got its start, prior to the Rock Island Line Railroad.
Citations from "Eldon... a Look Back" 1882-1982 by Tina Raynor
The Weeks family came to Missouri in 1865 on the Missouri Pacific Line through Chicago and St. Louis. They eventually made their way to what would eventually be named Eldon. George Weeks wanted to name it after his wife Almira, but the name was taken so he named it Eldon, after the English Duke.
George bought land from R. S. Harvey for $6. an Acre when he arrived to the area. But how did Harvey acquire all this land?
Anyways, the book says George became a farmer and the "Ring Leader " of a group that wanted to be the "Railhead" to "Eldon Town Company". He set up the corporation, platted the town and filed the paper work on March 15, 1882. It is said that a month later the Missouri Pacific Bagnell Branch came through Downtown "Eldon Town Company"
Mr. Weeks donated 40 Acres for the train depot, which burnt in 1886 and was rebuilt again in 1888.
The Eldon a Look Back Book says the incorporation of Eldon took place in 1889
As I find more information on the incorporation of the town and George Weeks... I'll add it below.
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