Perry County Historical Society

08/20/2026

The Baer family owned and operated Gib's Place in Biehle, which housed a pool table, barber shop, and dance hall for many years. It was also a gas station. A liquor store was attached, since the tavern could not sell hard liquor. Ruth Baer, Gib's wife, served up her famous burgers and fries for patrons. Shotgun shooting contests as well as competition rifle contests were held in the 1950s & 1960s.

PHOTO: Gib's Place photo by Larry Braun Photography

08/12/2026

Hi followers--can anyone help with an identification?

We need help to identify this WWI Perry County Veteran .

08/07/2026

The drawing for our annual Quilt and Throw Fundraiser will take place at our meeting in September. If you are interested in this beautiful quilt or throw, you can still call the office to donate. The suggested donation is $1 per ticket and 6 tickets for $5. Call (573)768-2470 Tuesday through Thursday 8:30am to 4:30pm.

07/24/2026

In 1885, Thomas L. Phillips built the terra cotta and light brick building on the southwest corner of Jackson and St. Maries Streets, on original town lot 65, now 26 N. Jackson St.

Anderson & Hoos had a general store in the right half of the building, and Phillips and Dr. Wm. Newman had a drug store in the left half. Behind the new building, there was a small livery stable.

Multiple businesses have been located in the Phillips Building during its more than 140 years; the building is currently home to Villainous Grounds .

PHOTO: Undated early photo of the Phillips Building. The buildings on the extreme right in the background were St. Boniface Church, School, and rectory. Nothing was in between. On the left, the Fire Engine House sits on the corner.

07/13/2026

TONIGHT! JOIN US!

07/13/2026

JULY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING is MONDAY, JULY 13th

Join us at 5:30 pm at 108 Vincentian Way in Perryville

All members with email addresses will receive a Zoom link to join the meeting. Not a member? Call us at 573-768-2470 or email us at [email protected].

After the regular meeting, hear a presentation on the Statue of Liberty from Cindy Masterson, Perry County Historical Society member, and member of the O'Fallon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Cindy has roots and relatives in both Perry and Sainte Genevieve Counties. She is an amateur historian and genealogist.

The presentation will explore the rich history of the Statue of Liberty and features film footage, audio, and video, including a virtual visit to the top of the pedestal. You won't want to miss it!

07/07/2026

A post office and community in the southern part of St. Mary's Township, Yount's Store was established in 1872. Named for Henry Yount, merchant, storekeeper, postmaster, and county judge, the name was changed to Yount in 1887.
Yount is located at the intersection of Highway J and PCR 724.

PHOTO: A crowd gathers outside the Yount Church in the early 1900s.

07/01/2026

Ferries have served Perry County since the 1870's, carrying covered wagons across the Mississippi. In 1876, John Tucker began running a ferry service from Wittenberg, Missouri, to Grand Tower in Illinois. By 1932, the Wittenberg Ferry was busy transporting large grain trucks across the Mississippi.

In the 1960s and 1970s, June and Charles Inman ran the ferry service, now known as Tower Rock Ferry. A new pusher boat, Miss June, was christened, as the previous boat was too small to accommodate modern vehicles. June Inman was the second licensed female towboat operator in the nation.

In 1981, the year it closed, the Tower Rock Ferry was owned and captained by Alfred "Sonny" Irmer.

PHOTO: undated, Tower Rock Ferry on the Mississippi River at Wittenberg. Photo courtesy of Ken Steinhoff--All rights reserved.

06/05/2026

Did You Know?

* The Perry County Historical Society was organized in 1971, and is a non-profit corporation.
*The Society maintains The Faherty House, a house museum at 11 S. Spring Street in Perryville, as well as the Perry County Museum, a joint venture with the City of Perryville, located at the entrance to the Perryville City Park.
*In March 2015, the Society opened the Genealogical Research Library & Archive Center, located in the Perryville Higher Education Center. The Historical Society business office is also located at the Archive Center.
*The Society’s publication committee began printing the Heritage in 1983. It attempts to record and perpetuate the genealogy of Perry Countians and the history of Perry County.
*Membership dues and donations to the Perry County Historical Society help to underwrite the operation of our library, archives, museums, and the continued preservation of Perry County’s history.
*For membership info. visit www.perrycountyhistoricalsociety.com or call 573-768-2470.

PHOTO: The south side of the Perryville Square about 1919. At the extreme left is the southwest corner of Main and St. Joseph streets.