About the year 1850 the number of settlers increased to such an extent there began talk of establishing a trading post. Travel in early days was by ox cart, horseback or on foot, so there was a real need for a trading post.

In August 1851 Robert Bullington purchased ten acres from Allen Bridges for the purpose of starting a town. However he sold this land to Chas. L. Jennings, who then sold it to John P. King, who sold one-half interest to Robinson Allen. John P. King platted and surveyed the orginial town on Aug. 28, 1851. It was not recorded until April 17, 1854. (Five surveys and three additions were made at various times to plat the town as we know it today.) Provisions were made for a public square in the beginning; the present square was formed in a later survey.

Lots were offered for sale in 1851 but no improvements appear to have been made that year.

Eagleville is situated in the north part of Harrison county. It stands in parts of three townships; Colfax, Union and Marion. The land in Marion township and surrounding Eagleville was entered by Allen Bridges, Aug. 15, 1851 and in the following year he entered land in Colfax township. In 1851 Thomas Shain entered the land in Union township. Prior to this the north line of Harrison county, bordering on Iowa was disputed and considered to be one mile north of where Eagleville now stands. In 1850 the state line was definitely settled and iron stakes six inches square and six feet long were planted ten miles apart between Iowa and Missouri. On March 1, 1851 the land between the present line and the old line was added to the county and was opened for settlement.

In 1852, Thomas Shain erected a small log frame building in town, and from it a mercantile business was operated by John Haynes who had married Nancy Bridges, a daughter of Allen Bridges. She was also a niece of Thomas Shain. This store was operated for about two years and later occupied by William Needham.

The first post office was established in July 1853 with John Haynes as postmaster. The name of the first post office was Eagle. Postal records show the name was changed to Eagleville in April 1881.

Old rumors are that the town got it name from eagles being sighted nesting near the settlement.

The second store was opened by Mark Mills and Elisha Meeker. James Anderson Sr. and James Anderson Jr. purchased lots soon after the first survey and erected residences upon them. James Anderson Sr. had brought a small stock of goods to town and for a short time was identified with the mercantile business. Later he erected what was known as the Central Hotel. James Anderson Jr. in a few years built a large two story frame building on the north side of main street known as the Eagle House or Hotel which was run as a place of public entertainment for a number of years. He later sold goods in the building and seemed to do a good business. The house passed through a number of hands from time to time. It was destroyed by fire about 1883.

James Anderson brought his supplies from St. Joseph, Mo. by ox team. When roads were bad he would be three weeks making the trip, camping out along the way.

Roads at that time were not laid out on section lines or near them, but followed the paths of least resistance. Teams headed southwest. Variations from the course were principally those necessary to ford streams. There were few if any bridges then. There were wagon camps in the city where they could put up at night and boarding places were nearby. Staple goods, groceries, tobacco, whiskey in barrels and kegs, flour in barrels, sugar, coffee, tea, rice, and salt were in every load as were bolts of calico. Calico was the material from which women made most of their dresses.

Early pioneers who established homes in the vicinity of the town were: Allen Bridges, Thomas Shain, George Davis, John Poynter, Ichabod Jenks, Dr. Oatman, Mrs Hulse, H.C. Neville, Daniel Shirley, Moses Shirley, James Grindstead, Thomas Patton, Wm. Anderson, Samuel Anderson, Simpson Montgomery, Dr. Skinner and Acquilla Barber.

Dr. Guilkey located in town soon after it was founded and engaged in the practice of medicine which he carried on for some time in connection with the mercantile business, his partner being James B. Brower, who early erected a building in the northeast part of town. By now the town was growing steadily.

As was the case of the other merchants it was necessary to haul all their merchandise from St. Joseph, Mo., and Mr Brower made many of these trips with a four ox team. He not only hauled goods for his store but for others who needed goods along the way.

On one occasion while loading his wagon in St. Joseph, a barrel of whiskey was rolled out to be placed on the wagon. Being the son of a minister and a devout Christian himself, Mr. Brower immediately objected, saying that his cattle would not haul whiskey. The merchant insisted, as the sealed order of his customer demanded it. Mr. Brower remained firm and his cattle did not haul the whiskey. In that day the cause of temperance had but few followers and this indicated that Mr. Brower was a man of strong convictions and power to carry them out in active life.

The second survey of Eagleville was by Brower and Guilkey on July 4, 1857. It was directly west from the first survey and added nine more blocks to the town. It was filed for record on Jan. 10, 1896

In 1856 - 1857 Thomas Poynter engaged in mercantile trade in a small frame building which stood near the northern limits of town. After continuing alone for a few years he went into partnership with Horace Fitch. They were successful merchants and amassed a comfortable amount of money during the years they remained in business.

From 1852 - 1857 some of the purchasers of real estate in town were: L.G. Jones,  Wm. Owings,  J.P. King,  Wm. Hodgin,  Joseph Bridges,  John Spencer,  Wm. R. Allen,  B.F. Fletcher,  Henry Sweeten,  Nathan Tripp,  Hezikiah Herring,  John Martin,  W.D. Horton,  Henry O. Neville,  Wm. B. Needham,  Thos. Poynter,  James Dale,  Wm. Ballew,  Geo. W. Johnson,  M.L. James,  J.D. Tall and S.J. Tall,  J.W. Hasp and Co.,  Joseph Hunsicker,  Robt. Mumford and Ellen Barber.

In 1857, Samuel Moore, father of Capt. J.W. Moore, moved his family here from Ohio. Being a blacksmith he began work in a shop which stood where the North Harrison schoolhouse now stands. Later he built a shop nearer the new square. He was also postmaster for a number of years.

The town was growing and there was need for more lots. Hall and Brower made the third survey. It extended west and south of the second and was almost as large as the first two combined.

It was also at this time that Joel Hall and Jas. B. Brower relinquished to the public the public square, street and alleys in this said addition. It is recorded in this Third survey that blocks 1-2-3 and 4 of this survey are so joined as to enlarge the square.

When Poynter went into partnership with Fitch they erected a two story building on the new square. The large hall above was used for lodges, Sunday school, public speaking and other social gatherings. School was once held there and taught by a Mr. Lewis. The school he taught was called a high school and offered courses in Greek, Latin and Astronomy.

Thos. and Amos Poynter had a store on the west side of the square. Judge Jas. B. Brower and Capt. Ewart had a store on the north side. The residence of Thos. Poynter faced the square on the south side. This was later moved to the southeast corner of the square and faced the street east of the square.

The fourth survey was known as Hall's addition. It was directly south of the original survey. It was recorded on the same date, Dec. 30, 1895, as the third. This leads us to believe the third & fourth surveys were made about the same time. They were made much earlier than recorded.

With the new surveys and opening of the new square, new business buildings began to go up around the square. In 1859 Acquilla Barber built a large two story building on the north side of the of the square and on the east side of the main street running north. Joel Hall entered business with Mr. Barber in the year 1860. In 1861 he became the sole owner. He also hauled his merchandise from St. Joseph in covered wagons. For an early day merchant, Joel Hall remained in business longer than most did. He was a successful manager.

Some of the early purchasers in Hall's addition were: B.A. McClure, Elisha Meeker, A.W. Allen, Jas. H. Poynter, Thos. Beech, John Callwell, Noah Coons, Wm. R. Allen, W.J. Skinner, W.P. Willis and Wm. Owings.

The fifth survey of Eagleville was known as Dr. Guilkey's survey and the date was Jan. 8, 1857. It was directly west of the first and second surveys, north of the third survey and brought the outline of the town to a rectangular shape.

It was recorded that on July 10, 1856, Thomas Shain and Cynthia A. Shain, his wife, sold to Charley M. Guilkey ten acres for $200.00. This land is the fifth survey. Nothing more was added to the town until after the Civil War. Many volunteered their services when the broke out and slowed the growth of the town.

It was in 1859 that Dr. and Mrs Downing came to reside in Eagleville and purchased lots in the fifth survey where he build a log cabin which was to be their home for the remainder of their lives.

Tallyrand Schaffer moved to Eagleville in March 1860 and operated a tinware and hardware store. In 1868 Henry Schaffer moved here to work as a harness maker. In 1869 Andrew Cramer, R. L. Hoffman and the Aaron Wyant families settled here. A number of businesses were started at this time. They changed hands often.

The Methodist church was organized first and purchased lots in the fifth survey where later they built a church. The Christian church was organized sometime in the 1860's. And the Baptist church was organized in 1864.

Following the Fifth survey in 1859 nothing more was added to the size of the town until July 18, 1859. This first addition was the work of Osborn Brown who brought his family here from Ohio about 1866. The addition consisted of 8 blocks. It laid south of the first five surveys, bordering the main street running south from the square and on the west side of the street.

In the early 1870's Eagleville was a prosperous town. It had five general stores: Yound and Wren, Stonum and Jones, Amos Poynter and son, Joel Hall and George Norris. There also were: 3 drug stores - 2 hardware stores - pool hall - 2 furniture stores - 3 hotels - 2 lumber yards - 1 flour mill - 4 blacksmith and wagon shops.

Fitch's Addition was recorded Nov. 15, 1872. It was very small compared to the other additions. It consited of three blocks and was not divided into lots as the others were.

In the February 1877 term of court at Bethany, a petition signed by George Lockwood and 66 others was presented for the town to be incorporated and the plea was granted.

From 1870 to 1880 Eagleville enjoyed it's greatest boom. Most of the buildings were erected around the square at this time. Eagleville was at it's top prosperity. "The Eagleville Clipper" of Dec. 2, 1880 quoted the town as having a population of 800. Nearly all the families in those days consisted of six to ten children.

The first newspaper printed in Eagleville was called "The Harrison County Eagle." It was established in July 1874 by Walter J. Wightman, who moved his office and equipment from Garden Grove, Iowa. This paper was published for 17 months and gained the reputation of being one of the spiciest and best edited papers ever published in Harrison county. In Dec. 1875, Mr Wightman moved his office to Bethany.

In the spring of 1876, Frank Knapp of Leon, Iowa moved to Eagleville and established "The Eagleville News", a small independent sheet devoted to the interest of the town and the county. The News was well printed, the editor being an experienced typist. But for want of financial support, it ran its course in about six months and was never revived. The price of a subscription was $1.50 per year.

An item of interest from the "Eagleville News" follows: "We hear considerable talk of having our wide awake town incorporated. (1876) We trust our citizens will put their "talk" into an effort in that direction. We are needing a few sidewalks bad. If there is anything that gives a town a neat appearance, and an inducement to strangers to cast their lot with us, it is to see good sidewalks and clean streets." This must have inspired the town for we find on Aug. 7, 1876 an ordinance was passed to build sidewalks in the town of Eagleville. The first walks were board walks.

It has already been noted that the town was incorporated in 1877. The next item to promote progress reads: "We feel better now since our young city was incorporated, but would feel more enthusiastic over the matter if 200 head of swine running at large were put in pens. We don't mind the hogs, it is the pesky flies."

The town then having been incorporated passed a law forbidding any livestock from running at large in the streets. The town built a corral and posted this notice: "Have you erected your hog pens yet? Our town proper should bear in mind that next Saturday is the last day of grace. Marshal Baker will be on the war path Monday." The marshal was to take up any stock found loose inside the city limits and make the owner pay a fine before he could get the stock out of the pound. As there was no stock law in the county around the town, the stock would get inside town and the owners would have to pay to get them out. The farmers accused the town boys of coming out to the country and driving in stock so they collect the fines. At any rate it created a hard feeling between the town and country around it.

One dark night the men around town met with saws and axes and completely demolished the corral. This created quite a bit of excitement but this soon blew over and a short time after the stock law was put to a vote in the county and it was voted that stock all over the county would have to be kept from running at large. This created quite a hardship on many farmers as they had not fenced their land to keep their stock in. The first wire was smooth and after it was stretched the barbs were clamped on. This was slow business.

"The Eagleville Clipper" was published in Eagleville from 1887 to 1880. W. J. Wightman again coming back from Bethany to publish it. With the coming of the railroad to Blythedale, he moved his office there.

Hoffman's Addition was surveyed April, 20, 1901 and recorded May 4, 1907

The Officer's Addition was surveyed May 3, 1901. It was recorded in conjunction with Hoffman's on May 4, 1907. It was some little distance west of the earlier surveys of the town. This was the last addition to the town.

Near the central part of the town is a public square. Running east and west are six streets crossed at right angles by nine streets running north and south.

Railroads were the big theme in Harrison county in 1881 according to a copy of the "The Clipper" published in Eagleville. Causing joy, hope and wrath according the the community. There had been railroad agitation in the county since 1859; Wanamaker's History tells us. Every town and community hoped to be included in the route of the iron rails. Eagleville a thriving town had such aspirations.

The C.B.& Q. line of railroad stopped at Lamoni at the time. Eagleville thought it would get this road and raised all the money the railroad had asked of the town, but for some reason the line was built four miles to the east and the towns of Blythedale, Ridgeway and Andover were born with Burlington generalship and lotselling behind them.

This naturally made Eaglevile pretty mad and from the "Clipper" there appeared to be some wonder if the town would survive. Businesses were moving to the railroad or establishing branches there.

"The next issue of "the Clipper" will be the last that will be published in this town," said the newspaper. "Please call at our office and see how your account stands."

There seems to be some irony in this news note - "Bob Baker is showing faith in regard to Eagleville's future prospects by re-shingling part of his dwelling and putting hinges on the door of his_____(don't know what!) But town pride in this one: "The band boys of the town are having a fine new band wagon built. Alphabet Carter is doing the job." And downright bitterness here: "J.A. Poynter has purchased Geo. W. Young's store building on the west side of the square. Price $600. Mr Poynter gets a very cheap building as four years ago it was built at a cost to Messrs. Young and Wren of over $2500. Blythedale with its "Bob-tail branch" did it." Joel Hall, merchant of Eagleville advertised to deny reports he was going out of business. "Joel Hall has secured the services of Joe Newland in his mamouth "Dry Goods Emporium" it was reported.

Business began to decline but it never entirely died out.

From a copy of "the Eagleville News" published by Frank J. Knapp is this item about the first bank in our town: "T.H. Poynter opened a private bank with A.R. Brown, as cashier." The date was Aug. 10, 1876. Later Osborn Brown became cashier and his son, Joab Q. Brown became assistant cashier. The bank operated for a few years and then was discontinued. It was located in a small building on the west side of the square.

The Farmers Bank of Eagleville was organized in 1896 with the following active in its organization: W.B. Pearson, pres: H.S. Herring, vice-pres: W.S. McCollum, cashier. Directors: F.G. Weary, C.B. Hunsicker, Andy Knott, W.W. Wyant and Aaron Wyant.

A news item dated Feb. 17, 1898 states: "The bank examiner took charge of and closed the Farmer's Bank of Eagleville." Bad loans and slow collections caused its failure.

The Citizen's Bank of Eagleville - Business began at the bank on April 3, 1900. That night the bank and one third of the business places around the square burned. Nothing irreplaceable was lost to the bank so they began business the next day in another building. Arrangements were made for a new building which was completed in about 3 months. The bank vault was still standing so the new building was constructed around it. The building was used for about ten years. The bank was so prosperous there was need for more room so another building was erected adjoining on the north. It continued to prosper and was soon one of the better known and respected banks in the county. In 1919, Mr. John Barber, cashier and his son, Jay C. Barber, assistant cashier resigned and Clarence Thompson became cashier. When the depression set in it hit the farmers hard, not only here but all over the country. Many of the customers of the bank were hurt financially. Livestock, grain and real estate depreciated in value and many of the customers were unable to pay their debts to the bank resulting in many losses; some of considerable size.

At one time during the deprssion the State Bank department requested the bank to take out questionable notes to the amount of $25,000. The directors or at least part of them, put up their own note to replace the ones the examiner objected to. This effort cost the bank about $10,000, which amount they were unable to collect.

Eventually the bank was forced to close its doors and the bank was liquidated. It is believed the customers did not lose anything but the stockholders lost all they had invested.

Looking for a location for a flouring mill in 1869, R. F. Hoffman decided to locate in Eagleille, Mo., and that summer began building a mill in the east part of town. At that time the nearest railroad was Osceola, Iowa, fifty miles away and the task of hauling all the machinery and lumber was something great.

Before the mill was completed, a half interest was sold to Geo. W. Young who came from Abingdon, Ill., the same town Mr Hoffman came from.

For three or four years the mill operated under the partnership of these two men. Then Mr Young sold his interest to Geo. Lockwood who helped run the mill for several years. Then the interest changed hands several times, first to David Joden; then to J.N. Kontz, then to Hiram Miller, then to Chas. Muma.   W.L. Hoffman, son of R.L. Hoffman began runing the engine in the mill when he was sixteen years old. He continued to work there until he was twenty-four.

In 1892 a company was formed for the purpose of putting in a roller system in the mill. Due to his advancing age Mr. Hoffman did not care to put it in himself. From that time on for several years the mill did an immense business, running day and night, with a capacity of forty barrels a day, making money for the stockholders.

In Janurary of 1905 Mr. Hoffman died, leaving vacant the place he had occupied continously for 36 years. Although not looking after business the last few years, he was there to greet his customers with a pleasant smile and kind words.

W.B. Pearson as president and Chas. Bridges as secretary of the company kept the business up to the highest standard until the failure of the farmers to raise wheat. After that, they shipped in flour and feed and did grinding brought in to the mill.

After Chas. Bridges accepted a position with the Kelly Mill Co. of Kansas City and no other member of the company was able to run the mill, it was closed down for two years and finally sold to a Mr Kaubus and Mr Paslak. Later Mr. Paslak purchased the Kaubus interest. Mr. Stobbe, father-in-law of Mr. Paslak became the last owner of the mill. He also shipped in flour and did grinding of grain. He later tore the mill building down.