Nestled along the south bank of Apple Creek in Cape Girardeau County, Old Appleton, Missouri, boasts a rich and complex history stretching back to the early 1800s. This historic community, though now small, played a significant role in the frontier development of southeast Missouri, serving as a crossroads for Native American cultures, French influence, and American expansion.
A Crossroads of Cultures: Indigenous Settlements and Spanish Land Grants
The story of Old Appleton, Missouri, is deeply intertwined with the region’s indigenous peoples and European colonial powers. In the 1780s, Pierre Louis Lorimier, a French Canadian and former Indian interpreter for the British during the American Revolution, sought new opportunities after the war. He and his wife, who had mixed French and Shawnee Indian heritage, settled in what is now Cape Girardeau.
Under Spanish colonial authority, Lorimier became the Indian Agent. Recognizing the precarious situation of the Shawnee and Delaware Indians, who had allied with the British and faced displacement by American settlers, Lorimier successfully appealed to the Spanish for land grants. Two substantial tracts in the Apple Creek watershed were allocated, intended to establish the Shawnee and Delaware as a strategic buffer against the less amicable Osage Indians.
Following this, Lorimier convinced approximately 1,200 Shawnee and 600 Delaware to relocate to the Apple Creek region in 1784. These tribes established their homes around the future site of Old Appleton, becoming a vital part of the area’s early tapestry. The historic El Camino Real, or King’s Highway, a crucial pathway connecting New Madrid and St. Louis, traversed this area, following ancient Native American trails and crossing Apple Creek precisely where Old Appleton would later emerge.
Life in the Shawnee and Delaware Villages
The indigenous communities around Old Appleton were vibrant and adaptable. West of the present-day town, stretching northward towards Uniontown for about a mile, was “Le Grand Village Sauvage,” known to Americans as the Large Shawnee Village. To the east lay “Petit Village Sauvage.” These villages demonstrated significant cultural blending, with extensive racial mixing with French settlers and the adoption of many French and American customs and lifestyles. They constructed granaries for crops, barns for livestock, and distinctive log homes built in the French style, featuring posts set together with clay-filled interstices and wood-shingled roofs, reflecting a unique blend of traditions.
The Influx of Settlers and Tribal Relocation
The early 1800s marked a new chapter for the Apple Creek watershed as Kentuckians and German immigrants began to arrive, drawn by the fertile farmland and reliable water access. Despite previous agreements by Americans to honor Spanish treaties with local tribes, these covenants were increasingly disregarded as the influx of settlers encroached upon Shawnee and Delaware lands. Facing growing harassment and theft from American settlers, the Shawnee and Delaware sought protection, even appealing to the Osage tribe.
In 1809, tribal leaders visited territorial governor Meriwether Lewis, agreeing in principle to exchange their ancestral lands in the Apple Creek watershed for new territories farther west. However, no immediate action was taken. By 1815, the situation had deteriorated significantly, prompting territorial governor William Clark and US President James Madison to issue orders for the removal of white intruders from Shawnee and Delaware lands. These orders, however, proved impossible to enforce and were largely ignored. Consequently, the indigenous communities reluctantly relocated to lands further west the following year. By 1825, all physical remnants of their once-thriving villages had vanished, though the site remained known to Americans as “Indian Village” for many years.
From Apple Creek to Appleton: Establishing a Community
With the departure of the indigenous tribes, more settlers moved into the area, solidifying the foundations of a new community. In 1818, a post office was established, aptly named “Apple Creek” in recognition of the numerous crab apple trees lining the creek’s banks. The town’s formal development began in 1824 with the arrival of John McClain and John Schatz, who spearheaded its establishment. During this formative decade, Alfred McClain demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by constructing a dam across Apple Creek, harnessing its power for a gristmill built on the northern bank. The community’s first general store, a cornerstone of any frontier settlement, was opened by Kimmel and Taylor in 1829.
The town was officially platted in 1847, a significant step in its formal recognition and growth, and its name was subsequently changed to Appleton in 1856. This period also saw the arrival of German immigrant Casper Ludwig, who in 1856 established a brewery and saloon near the creek. Ludwig’s brewery quickly gained renown for its popular beer, Kulenbacher, a staple for locals and travelers alike.
Civil War Era and Local Nicknames
The tumultuous years of the Civil War left their mark on Appleton, earning it the distinctive nickname “Shakerag.” This moniker arose from a practical necessity: window glass was scarce during the conflict, leading residents to cover window frames with cloth. As these makeshift coverings were shredded by the wind, the flapping rags became a familiar sight, giving the town its unique, if somewhat rustic, wartime identity.
Development, Industry, and the Renaming to Old Appleton
The late 19th century brought crucial infrastructure improvements to Appleton. In 1879, a three-span truss bridge was erected over Apple Creek, providing much-needed relief to area residents in this low-lying flood plain. This bridge significantly improved connectivity along the road to Jackson, 16 miles to the south, facilitating commerce, social interaction, and agricultural transport. From Jackson, it was just another ten miles to Cape Girardeau, making the bridge a vital link in regional trade and travel.
Appleton’s industrial landscape continued to evolve. Physician Wilhelm Aaron Schoen began practicing in the late 1800s, later marrying Bertha Ludwig, daughter of the esteemed brewery owner Casper Ludwig. Casper Ludwig passed away in 1901, but his brewery continued its operations under various owners until 1904. It was known as the Appleton Brewing Company by 1906, and by 1908, it had expanded its services, becoming the Appleton Brewing and Ice Company.
A significant administrative change occurred in 1917 when the postmaster general officially changed the town’s name to Old Appleton. This alteration was made to eliminate persistent delivery confusion with Appleton City in St. Clair County, cementing the town’s current identity. Despite never growing into a large city, Old Appleton was a bustling commercial center, boasting a distillery, brewery, blacksmith shop, soda water plant, creamery, hotel, bank, and garage. Its population reached 106 in 1920, the same year Prohibition began.
Prohibition and the Breweries of Old Appleton, Missouri
The advent of Prohibition in 1920 presented a significant challenge for Old Appleton’s thriving brewing industry. Remarkably, the Appleton Brewery continued to operate throughout the ban, albeit covertly. Local history recounts numerous raids by federal agents during this decade, where bottles were smashed and kegs opened, spilling precious beer. In a testament to community spirit and local enterprise, townspeople reputedly rushed with buckets to salvage the foam before it went to waste.
When Prohibition finally ended in 1933, the Appleton Brewery and Ice Company resumed legitimate operations until 1934. Following this, a former prizefighter and bootlegger named Benny McGovern established his own brewery, operating as McGovern Brewing from 1934 to 1938. It remains uncertain whether this was the old Ludwig Brewery or a new establishment. McGovern Brewing became famous for its distinctive “Mule Beer” label, featuring a real mule named Dan as its mascot. Dan was not just a symbol; brewery representatives would bring him to taverns, offering various beer brands for Dan to sniff out and drink only the McGovern beer, a memorable marketing stunt.
The Appleton Brewery Company saw another period of operation from 1940 to 1947. Meanwhile, the historic McClain Mill on Apple Creek continued its work, grinding wheat into flour until World War II, after which it transitioned to feed grinding before its eventual closure.
Floods, Loss, and the Enduring Spirit of Old Appleton
Old Appleton reached its peak population of 120 residents in 1950. However, the mid-to-late 20th century brought significant setbacks. The venerable McClain Mill began to deteriorate, prompting restoration efforts in the 1960s. Tragically, these efforts were undone by natural disasters. A devastating flash flood in December 1982 destroyed the historic 1879 iron truss bridge over Apple Creek. Just four years later, in May 1986, another flash flood claimed the historic 1920s mill, which was never rebuilt.
Despite these losses, the spirit of preservation remained strong. Restoration work on the old bridge commenced in 2005 and was completed the following year. In a testament to its historical significance, the restored bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, recognized as one of Missouri’s last remaining Pratt truss bridges. Today, the Old Appleton Bridge, once a vital thoroughfare for vehicular traffic, serves as a charming pedestrian bridge, offering a scenic crossing over Apple Creek and a tangible link to the past.
Experiencing History in Modern Old Appleton, Missouri
Today, Old Appleton, Missouri, has transitioned from a once-thriving commercial hub to a semi-ghost town, reflecting a population of approximately 73 residents according to the 2020 census. Situated along Highway 61, about 17 miles north of Jackson, Missouri, it remains a place where history resonates. Visitors can still appreciate its beautifully restored 1879 bridge and several charming old buildings that stand as silent witnesses to centuries of change.
From its origins as an indigenous settlement and Spanish land grant to its evolution as a bustling American town with a vibrant brewing industry, Old Appleton, Missouri, offers a compelling narrative of frontier life, cultural convergence, and enduring resilience. Despite periods of hardship, including tribal displacement, civil war, prohibition, and devastating floods, the town’s rich heritage is preserved through its historic landmarks like the pedestrian bridge. Old Appleton stands as a quiet reminder of the profound historical currents that shaped the landscape and communities of southeast Missouri.
