When Sedalia Democrat columnist Hazel Lang wrote a column in 1969 about the history of La Monte, she relied in part on information taken from the “1882 History of Pettis County.” Some of the information she provides is from oral history, which she does not document, and some events she described occurred after 1882. She does not identify the sources of her information.
In one instance, Lang has speculated in curious ways. The town was originally named Boomer, according to the 1882 history, after George Boomer, a railroad bridge contractor. Lang suggests that since La Monte means “little mountain” in French, that perhaps settlers of French descent chose the name because she believed the land was the highest point on the railroad route from St. Louis to Kansas City and because there is a town named LaMonte in France.
Her speculation is not supported by the 1882 history, which offers a less romanticized explanation of the change of the name of the town to La Monte. A post office named La Monte had been established along the Georgetown to Lexington stage road prior to the arrival of the railroad to the creation of the town. After the railroad arrived, the post office was moved to the town. Some years after the establishment of Boomer, the town’s name was changed to match the name of the post office and prevent confusion.
Lang and the 1882 history agree that the town was laid out by Colonel Frank Hickox and J. R. McConnel. It was platted with the streets laid out in a grid, and by 1882, many of the property owners had planted ornamental trees that enhanced the appearance of the town. According to Lang, the first dwelling in the town was built in 1866 by William James.
The 1882 history does not mention who built the first dwelling, but does identify the builder of the first store building. In 1866 or 1867, George Hurley built a frame store building. John Harris managed the store. By 1882, J. S. White had a store selling hardware and implements in the building.
Both Lang and the 1882 history identify Vincent and Thomas Terry as opening a dry goods store in 1869. They also note Jule Busch as opening a general merchandise store in La Monte in 1870. Lang indicates that Fred Wilson and Busch were originally partners in a grocery business, and when Wilson sold his portion of the business to Busch, the store began handling a large stock of dry goods, groceries, confections, tobacco, ready-made clothing, boots and shoes, hats, tinware, and queensware (a type of pottery dishware).
The railroad reached La Monte in 1864. The town was platted and settlement began shortly afterward. However, the town was not incorporated until December 6, 1880, according to the proceedings of the County Court, cited in the 1882 History.
A town board was organized and officers were elected on December 15, 1880. Mr. J. HJ. Snoddy was elected president, J. R. Wade was elected clerk, and P. S. Zilhart was elected Marshal. All these men were long time residents of the town.
La Monte grew from a railroad stop in 1864 to a town of 184 people in 1870, according to the U. S. Census. By 1880, the town had grown to a population of 396.
