Our story About Us
Wheatland Missouri Settler's Village
Wheatland Missouri Settler's Village was established in 1992 with a heartfelt mission to bring our community together through historical education. As a nonprofit, we pride ourselves on being a cornerstone of cultural enrichment in Missouri. Our journey began with the vision of a few passionate individuals who believed in the power of community-driven progress. Over the years, our dedicated volunteers and board members have worked tirelessly to organize community events, cultural programs, and educational workshops that celebrate our local heritage and inspire future generations. Our success lies in our unwavering commitment to fostering a connected and vibrant community, where history and culture are cherished and shared.
Original Founders
You can experience the Settler's Village now due to the efforts of about 18 people. These people took time to recognize the worth of these structures sitting in fields or old home sites and moved them to their current location. In the process of reclaiming these log buildings, the volunteers encountered a lot of work but found a great amount of satisfaction in saving these buildings for future generations. They built friendships as they rebuilt these log buildings, much as our ancestors did as they worked together in the past!
How the Settler's Village Came Alive!
Wheatland Settler's village is a collection of authentic log buildings. In 1992 the construction of this village began through the cooperation of a group of volunteers and the Hickory County Economic Development Council, Inc..., a not-for profit organization. To better understand how you can reconstruct an 1800's village, please read on.
First, thirteen authentic log buildings were located in Hickory County, Missouri and the surrounding areas. Second step, these buildings were uncovered, and individual logs were labeled for ease in the reassembly process. Lastly, the log structures were disassembled and moved to the Wheatland Town Square, where they were carefully reassembled using the log labels and computerized drawings.
While the reassembly process may sound easy, it required not only putting the logs together, but also rechinkinng all the exterior and interior spaces between the logs. Followed by reroofing and reassembling the interior parts of each building.
Gathering the Log Cabins
Wheatland Missouri Settlers Village coming together. The following pictures are of the cabins being disassembled, moved, and being put together in Wheatland!
1850 - John William (Bill) Akard Cabin/Church
The Akard Cabin/Church is the two-story cabin, located in the bottom left hand corner of the picture. Unfortunately, this cabin had to be taken down about 5 or 6 years ago due to protruding logs and an unsafe condition. Most of it has been set aside and the Board has been trying to raise money with multiple fundraising events throughout the year along with sponsor donorships to put the building back up! With all the fundraising we hope to build the bank account to keep up with maintenance costs and buy or possibly get donated supplies to put the Akard Cabin/Church back together before it's lost completely!
1850 Akard Cabin (Church)
Fair Play, Missouri - Polk County
Donated by: Raymond & Jacquetta Hensley
(dismantled in 2021)
The inside of the church
Everything from inside the church is being stored in one of the guest cabins on the property! Just waiting to go back into the church one day!
Newspaper Articles with a little History about John William (Bill) Akard
This cabin was originally built by Bill Akard in the 1850's and it was a two-story home. When it was moved to the Wheatland Missouri Settlers Village, they removed the floor (due to it being unstable) and converted the cabin into the church.
Butterfield Overland Mail Route - Relay Station
This building is a replica of the Relay Station that was located in Wheatland, it is believed to be close to the original route. It was made from leftover logs of cabins that could not be saved. The following pictures and information are all the information that we have on this building! It was handed to the new board in a cardboard box, so this took many hours of reading and scanning them into the computer to cover the history of some of these buildings!
Our history
The above stagecoach relay station is a replica of a frontier Butterfield Overland Mail Station. It was built from a photograph of an original relay station using logs from a building beyond restoration. The Butterfield Overland Mail operated from 1858 to 1860, running from Tipton, MO, through Wheatland, MO, to San Franisco California, a route of 2,790 miles.
Driver's Guide to the Butterfield Overland Mail Route
The following pages were all scanned out of the booklet found with other historical paperwork.
Mail Route Maps
The following few sections are all different maps, articles, and letters found in the cardboard box. There is a 7-page letter attached to this section and the author is unknown.
Old Newspaper Articles
7 Page Letter on the Local People/History of the Mail Route - Author Unknown
Handbill with train information
1858 - Carbin Cabin
Nemo, Missouri
Hickory County Roads 260 & 401
Donated by Maxine Carbin
Built by Benjamin F. Fugate
Picture is of the cabin being disassembled.
Carbin Cabin at the Village
This picture is a current picture of the cabin today. It is on the list of cabins that need to be fixed and refurbished. Unfortunately, this cabin was the target of vandals and needs to have a lot of work done on it. New doors and windows will be done in the spring of 2026.
Pictures of the inside will be added later also.
Fugate Information
The following forms are the only history we have on the Carbin Cabin at this time!
1848 Stable, Dog Trot & Corn Crib
Moved from St. Claire County, Missouri
Donated by: George & Mary Beth Cauthon
Built by: William & James Cauthon
Based on an article from December 13, 1993
1840 - Barn, Dog Trot & Corn Crib
Moved from Elkton, Missouri
Donated by: Kenneth & Nadine Nutt
Built by: Jerome McCracken
1860 Corn Crib/Ice Cream Shack
Moved from Fristoe, Benton County, Missouri
East of Highway 65
Donated by: Darrell Beyer
Roof replaced by Beyer's Lawn Services (December2025)
Village bought the roofing supplies & Beyer's donated the labor.
Now that the Ice Cream Shack has a new roof it will be converted into the concession stand for the monthly Cruise-Ins/Ice Cream Social! This is what the building was used for in the past!
1920 - 2 Guest Cabins
Moved from Geronimo Springs, Camden County, Missouri
US Highway 54 & Little Niangua River
Donated by Jaunita Kemp
1895 Cabin
Hermitage, Missouri
Highway 54 & Hickory County Road 182
Donated by Clifford & Dana Peterson
Built by: Eric Peterson
1900 Cabin
Weaubleau, Missouri
Hickory County Roads 240 & 236
Donated by Gerald & Trixie Vanderford
What Settler's Village Represents
Settler's Village with the relay station now stands as a proud representation of our local and national heritage - particularly our rural heritage. It gives us a visible historical representation of an era long gone! This village gives us pause to appreciate our ancestors, who by using a broadax, crosscut saw, and other hand tools created these buildings. It gives us a place where we can reflect on the indomitable spirit of our pioneers - the same spirit we must have to face challenges in today's world.
Unfortunately, since this village was put together, we have lost the church (Akard Cabin) and the Blacksmith shop! We have most of the church building but need some logs and then it can be rebuilt! Donate to help us restore and save the remaining buildings!
Join Our Mission
Become a part of our journey in promoting historical education and cultural awareness. Connect with us today to learn more about our events or volunteer opportunities.