The citizens of the Greenfield area and its Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome you to our community. Before we show you what we are, let's look back to where we began. 

Settlers from Tennessee, Kentucky and the Carolinas brought their families to the area in 1841 and found this area to be a good place to settle down and start a community. Greenfield was to be the county seat and soon construction began on a new courthouse.  A year later the courthouse was open for business in the center of Greenfield's square. Today the courthouse is still the center of our square and you will see many of our historic brick buildings. The brick was all made here in the Greenfield brick yard. 

Greenfield is a melting pot of Dade County history. The Hulston Mill built in 1840 offers a hands on experience of how life was back in the 1800's when corn was ground with the power of running spring water. There are old log cabins to see, an amphitheater, camping facilities and miles of horseback riding trails to explore. 

Come spend an afternoon in the Dade County Library located in a historical house, or check out the museum, also located in a historical house, and let us share our history with you. But history is not all we are about. With a population around 1,500 and a thriving Chamber to proudly support its community, we are focused on our future. Visit with our local realtors and find a perfect spot to build your dream home to enjoy our laid back life in Dade County that is rich in agriculture.

Greenfield is a complete community offering large city services with a small-town laid-back life. On the business side we have medical and legal services, grocery and hardware stores. Restaurants, fast food and convenience stores are located throughout the town. We have nail and hair salons, automotive shops, real estate and flea markets. Need to renew your license and mail a package? You can do that too while you are in town. We also have an enhanced 911 service.

On the recreational side Greenfield is a community that stands out. We have a 10-acre park with manicured rolling hills, a large swimming pool, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, playground equipment and a large community building. Oh, did we forget to mention Stockton Lake? Just a few miles down the road is one of Missouri's finest lakes. Stockton Lake has more than 300 miles of shoreline maintained by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for you to enjoy water sports, sailing, hunting and fishing. There are numerous marinas, campgrounds, motels and restaurants around the lake to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Enjoy a short relaxing, no-traffic drive to our many boat access locations or sit on our beautiful peaceful banks for an afternoon picnic, some good walleye fishing and our beautiful Ozarks sunsets. Only 40 minutes from Springfield up Highway 160 and you are on the water. 

When summer is over, the Greenfield R-IV school system offers a fully-accredited educational program for your children in grades K-12. The community has a wonderful support system for school athletics too. An air conditioned gym and 10-acre athletic complex is the result of that support. We love our Wildcats.

Memorial Day weekend is when Greenfield's annual Buffalo Days celebration is held. Buffalo Days is a chance to catch up with old friends and dip your fingers into some mouth-watering barbecued chicken. Come and enjoy the parade, the Veteran's Memorial, craft booths, carnival rides and a Buffalo Chip Chucking Contest with us. If you don't wear out by nightfall you can dance the night away on the square to live music each night. We guarantee a great time! We also fill the night sky over our park full of fireworks on the 4th of July and celebrate the Christmas season with a parade in December and a visit from Santa.Still not convinced this is the community for you? Come let any one of our residents buy you a cup of coffee and they will tell you how much their town means to them. Or you can call us at (417)988-3470, write us at P.O. Box 63 Greenfield, MO 65661 or send us an email!

Greenfield began in 1841 where the town's site was selected as the place for Dade County's first courthouse. A pioneer couple, Matthias and Mary Ann Allison, gave the county fifty-one acres "in consideration of the location of the county seat". A year later the courthouse was finished and Greenfield's first business had opened all on the new town's square. 

Greenfield, called the "Gate City of the Grotto" in early history, grew as the emigrants from Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas, were lured by the wooded hills, fertile valleys and a wonderful abundance of water in the streams and springs.

Visitors to Greenfield see the square lined with brick buildings built in the 1880's - with bricks made in the Greenfield Brickyard. The Opera House, which opened in 1888, was called the "Jewel of the Square". 

The Greenfield High School, the oldest high school in Southwest Missouri, opened in 1889. Other historic buildings include three churches built in the late 1800s and early 1900s are still used for worship. 

A Mecca for history buffs and seekers of family history is the Dade County Library housed in a historic house. The Library has a large collection of Missouri history plus the Dade County Genealogical Society is also housed in the Library with extensive research materials available.

(Information taken from the Stockton Lake visitor's guide. Article written by Hilda Wallace, with revisions.)

Although Hulston Mill Park has been heralded as a trail rider's paradise, in recent years it is actually a complete family recreational facility in the broader sense.  In addition to providing camping accommodations, flush toilets and a shower, the park features tables for family picnics and other outings, antique playground equipment for children, and a nature trail for both hiking and trail riding within the confines of the fifty-acre park.  Features also include a rustic amphitheater made of hewn native logs, a covered bridge, antique farm equipment, three historic log cabins (such as the original Dade County Library), and of course; the stately old Hulston Mill which today has been refurbished and is now operable. 

The Park is under the management of the Dade County Historical Society headquartered in Greenfield, MO. Hulston Mill is located two miles east from State Road EE on County Road 92, two miles North of 160 Highway, seven miles east of Greenfield. It stands today just a few miles from where it was erected in 1840. The construction of Stockton Lake mandated that the mill could no longer exist at its original location on EE Highway where the road crosses the Sac River. The Dade County Historical Society, in an effort by concerned citizens, was formed in 1967 to save the mill from both structural demolition and historical oblivion. 

While Hulston Mill Park was still in its stages of early growth another Dade County citizen, well-known equestrian enthusiast Paul Wilson of Everton, Missouri was envisioning an equestrian trails system along the shoreline of Stockton Lake. Wilson summoned friends, regional equestrian groups, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) with the intent of making his dream a reality. The Department agreed to assume management responsibilities for the required land from the Army Corps of Engineers and over a period of time designated the wilderness area for equestrian access.  As a result, there are some fourteen miles of beautiful scenic trails at the Hulston Mill Conservation Area, which traverse the Sac River and south Stockton Lake shorelines. The trails are rated from moderate to challenging for navigation on horseback. In cooperation with the trail effort the Dade County Historical Society agreed to provide a trailhead for the reserve at Hulston Mill Park. The equestrian trail riding community has naturally become one of the park's greatest means of support.

Hulston Mill Park is home to numerous organized events each year of which the majority are equestrian related. In January of each year, the park is the site of the Annual Klondike Classic Trail Ride. On Memorial Day weekend it serves as home to the Paul Wilson Memorial Trail Ride and in October visitors from all walks of life attend the Annual Hulston Mill Historic Fall Festival. In addition to Dade County Historical Society sponsored events, several other regional organizations feature activities for public attendance throughout the year. CMH Hospice, The National Kidney Foundation, One Missing Link, and the Stockton Shrine, all host yearly benefit trail rides at Hulston Mill Park. Many non-equestrians are usually in attendance to enjoy the cookouts and evening musical entertainment at the events. 

All events are listed on the park bulletin board near the center of the park and on the Hulston Mill web page at www.dadecountymohistoricalsociety.com. The Park also is reserved at times for weddings, family reunions, and other private activities although these seldom interfere with normal campground operations. Whether on visits the park as an equestrian trail rider, history buff, or just one desiring a place to relax and enjoy the wonders of nature in a quiet peaceful setting, Hulston Mill Park provides a wide range of leisurely opportunities. For more information about Hulston Mill Park contact the Dade County Historical Society at brenda@dadecountymohistoricalsociety.com

Visitors to Greenfield see the square lined with brick buildings built in the 1880's - with bricks made in the Greenfield Brickyard. The Opera House, which opened in 1888, was called the "Jewel of the Square". For more information about the Opera House contact greenfieldoperahouse@gmail.com

Stockton Lake offers beautiful scenery with three hundred miles of unspoiled shoreline and 25 acres of clean clear water.  This lake is the perfect place to kick back and relax.  Wildlife is abundant along the shoreline and varies depending on the time of year you visit.  You can see deer at the waters edge, turkey crossing the road and geese raising their young along the shore.  Bald eagles are frequently sited, having made Stockton Lake their home.

Stockton is the perfect family lake. There is something for everyone. Water-skiers and wake boarders can usually find a protected cove through the day and always in the evening.  Fishing is great and Stockton has become one of the best walleye fishing lakes in the Midwest.  Stockton Lake is rated one of the top 10 sailing lakes in the United Sates.  Steady breezes and open water make for great runs up and down the lake.  There are many campgrounds around the lake and surrounding area for those of you that want  to be one with nature.

On June 8 & 9, 1974 when Stockton Lake was only 4 years old a group of sailors held a race with 123 sailboats. That race was named the Governor's Cup and has become an annual event on Stockton Lake. What began as a one day race has turned into a 2 to 3 day Regatta and social event. In the new, Orleans Trail Conference Center, there is a beautiful cabinet made by Joe and Bunny Lane. The Governor's Cup fleet trophies are there, as well as the first Governor's Cup trophy given in 1974. Hanging next to the trophy case is a wonderful proclamation from former Missouri Governor Bob Holden regarding the heritage of the race and the lake.

The tradition and heritage of the Governor's Cup continue each October.  Mark your calendars and check the Lake Stockton Yacht Club web site for dates and events: www.stocktonyachtclub.com 

Our area is growing, but it is a long way from being crowded and overpopulated. The clean clear water makes those refreshing dips on a hot summer day quite enjoyable.  We are very proud of our lake and hope you will come and enjoy it and our Ozark hospitality. 

For more information on Stockton Lake, visit the Stockton Lake Association website: www.stocktonlake.com

The Dade County Veterans Memorial on the Dade County Courthouse Lawn in Greenfield features the names of over 3000 veterans from the Dade County area.

Each Memorial Day weekend join area citizens for a veteran's memorial service. Take the opportunity to thank a veteran for your freedom!

Take a step back in time at the new Dade County Historical Society Museum. There you will see fashions from days long ago. Men and ladies hats, a wedding dress from over 100 years ago, a dress worn by Mrs. Hunter when she was presented to Queen Victoria, all can be seen at the museum. 

Photos and photo albums of long ago are also on display. You will see hand-woven throws, old wheelchairs, bookkeeping machines, an old cloth floor covering, and an old-fashioned rug beater.  You will find postcards from the early 1900s, with pictures of beautiful buildings that no longer exist.

Barbwire collectors will enjoy seeing samples of several types. Come see the old microscope, still in very fine condition. This collection was recently donated by Mrs. Rosalie Wells. 

There are many old documents of interest, such as old phone books, yearbooks, letters, and so much more. See vintage valentines, handmade cards, and a purse with a story to tell.

If you shopped in Greenfield in the past, you would probably have seen the old cash register pictured below at Rubenstein Store.

The museum is located at 429 West Water Street in Greenfield.  If you have questions, would like to visit the museum or have items that you would like to donate or loan for display in the museum please call Brenda Craig at 417-637-0258.