Reynolds

Formed February 14, 1845 (86^th county)

Reynolds County (6,093), Centerville (169), Ellington (793)

The stone Federalist courthouse was constructed in 1871.  It is located on Green Street at Main Street.  Main Street is Missouri State Highway 21 in the town.  John Johnston and James B. Barnes provided the building designs.  The structure has been enlarged.  The county was established on February 14, 1845 from Shannon County as the 86^th county.  Lesterville was the county seat until 1865 when Centerville assumed the role.  The county is named for Governor Thomas Reynolds.  The county seat name is a geographical term. 

Reynolds County government consists of a sheriff and 3 Commissioners.  Two Circuit Court Judges serve Reynolds, Crawford, Dent, Iron, and Wayne counties and One County Court Judge serves Reynolds County.  Reynolds County is in the southeast part of the state.  Saint Louis, Missouri is northeast and Springfield, Missouri is west of the county.  The county center is 4.3 miles South-Southwest of Centerville.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Iron, Wayne, Carter, Shannon, and Dent counties. 

The area of the county is 811 square miles.  It is 13 out of 115 in the state.  It ranks 105 out of 115 in population in the state.  It has a density of 7.5 persons per square mile making it 112 out of 115 in the state.  Reynolds County has 19.1% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county could be described as a number 7.  Centerville is in the northeast quarter of the county.  Ellington is located in the southern quarter of the county.  Centerville is the county seat and Ellington is the largest city.  Centerville is 2.8% of the county population while Ellington is 13.0% of the county population.