Osage County, MO

Freeburg, (65035), Osage County, Missouri, USA was settled by area German immigrants in 1855, as part of the "Westphalia Colony" movement founded in 1835. In 1900 the Chicago, St. Louis and Colorado Railroad (Rock Island Railroad) surveyed a line thru the area. The actual commercial town was established in 1902. On Memorial Day Weekend, 2004, the community of Freeburg, and the Holy Family Catholic Church will celebrate their centennial together (1904-2004).

The Rock Island Railroad was dissolved in 1980. However, the railroad tunnel under the community of Freeburg still holds the fascination of visitors. To the east, the Gasconade River, and to the west, the Maries River are recreational and fishing outlets.

The community is located on State Highway 63, and features a Romanesque, red brick, twin spired Holy Family Church, completed in 1921. Since the 1930's WPA federal writers program, this landmark has been dubbed, "The Cathedral of the Ozarks".

The community is home to "Quaker Window Inc." a manufacturer of various aluminum window products with nation wide distribution.

A history of the community is being published for the centennial celebration in 2004.

[ data contributed by Fr. Joe Welschmeyer, compiler of the community history; September 14, 2002 ]