Located near Plato, Missouri, the Bates-Geers House is a dedaying symbol of the area’s vibrant history. Built in 1840, this two-story Greek Revival-style residence offers an intriguing look into the lives of early settlers and the development of the region.
Around 1850, James Addison Bates constructed this impressive two-story home using planks from his water-powered sawmill. It featured a large chimney at each of its three gabled ends, and the sandstone used for the house was sourced from the property itself. In a time when most homes were modest log cabins, the Bates residence must have appeared as a grand estate. Originally, it included several outbuildings, with a series of small rock foundations believed to be remnants of slave cabins, reflecting Missouri’s status as a slave state. The enslaved individuals worked at the sawmill, maneuvering logs with oxen, stacking lumber, and burning slabs.
During the Civil War, the house served as a hospital, with soldiers encamped in the surrounding area. After the war, John Geers, a former Union soldier, acquired the property. The Geers family inhabited the house for generations, further enriching its historical significance. Its ties to the Civil War era offer a unique insight into this crucial chapter of American history. There are even tales of the Jesse James gang taking refuge there while being chased by two different posses after robbing a train at Gads Hill, Missouri, in 1872.
The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.However, without any preservation efforts its only a matter of time until it completely colapses. The home remains privately owned and is not accessable to the public but you can view it from the road.
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