Vision In The Pines: The Legacy of J.W. Harris and the Birth of Willow Springs.

(Courtesy: Lou Wehmer)

Located in Howell County, Missouri, in the city of Willow Springs, Harris Cemetery stands as a silent witness to the town's history and its connection to one of its most important early figures—James Ward Harris. The cemetery is situated along Main Street. Its hallowed grounds are dedicated to a man whose impact on Willow Springs is still felt today, and the cemetery itself serves as a reminder of the family's enduring legacy.

The story of Harris Cemetery begins with the efforts of the late A. Claude Ferguson, who conducted extensive research into the cemetery's history before his death in 2006. Ferguson's work is the foundation for much of the information we know today, and it tells the story of a pivotal moment in Willow Springs' growth.

J.W. Harris Life Before Willow Springs. Before development of Willow Springs, there was a war to be fought. During the Civil War, a man named James Ward Harris served in the Fifth Missouri State Militia, a Union Cavalry Regiment. He saw combat on several occasions, often facing guerrilla bands that roamed the area. The war had a profound impact on his life, and after it ended, Harris yearned for prosperity and to make a positive impact for others and this is exactly what he set out to do.

The Original Willow Springs.
Before the town of Willow Springs as we know it today, there was the original Willow Springs, located about seven miles east of its present location. Situated in a more isolated and less accessible area, the original settlement was a small group of people, primarily relying on the areas natural resources, such as logging and farming. It was a peaceful setting, surrounded by forests and rolling hills, but it lacked the vital infrastructure that would allow the fragile "town by a willow and spring" to grow.

However, there was talk as contagious as a wildfire among neighbors far and wide about a proposed railroad that was supposed to be built in the area. This made visionaries James Ward & wife Permeila Harris, who were living at the time in what is now known as Birch Tree, Missouri, yearn for a positive change in contrast from the fighting, killing and devastation from the Civil War.

With The Tracks Came Change. Eventually, legislation from governmental "top hat" negotators became a signed action and railroad construction by St. Louis and San Francisco Railway (Frisco Line) began in rural parts of Southern Missouri. This was a pivotal moment for the region and would be the source for birth of townships all across Southern Missouri, including Cabool, West Plains and more! The captivating notion that the railroad could bring commerce and trade to the area, became a huge motivator for avid rural dreamers, including James and Permeila Harris. Thus, in the mid-1800s, the Harris' opted for positive change and packed-up and left their home in Birch Prairie (Birch Tree), Missouri. The property there was no longer secure because of residual fighting from the Civil War, so J.W. traded it to Ezekiel Jones, who had owned land in what is now Willow Springs near the MFA Exchange. It all started to make sense. Plans were set into motion by the Harris' to re-establish a "new" Willow Springs closer to the tracks, making it a vital stop for travelers and merchants alike. This decision was integral to the growth of the town and it set the stage for the prosperity that followed!

(Courtesy: Lou Wehmer)

Where it all began for Willow Springs, Missouri.  The mindset of pioneers was to build a township near the railroad tracks and thus, it would be connected to the rest of the world.  Practically anything, from furniture to dry goods, could be transported into Willow Springs and was vital to its' growth! 

A Town Took Off Towards Prosperity!  Slowly but surely, the railroad's arrival was a turning point for Willow Springs, sparking a transformation from a quiet rural settlement to a bustling hub of commerce. The railroad allowed goods and people to move more efficiently, connecting Willow Springs to the wider world. Besides bustling commerce, the railroad also encouraged the settlement of new families, further fueling the town’s expansion. For the Harris', who had already established a mercantile business in one side of their log cabin home, this new transportation network became the compliment to the purpose for how they could provide goods to Willow Springs and surrounding residents and, boost the "toddling" regional economy. It was a win-win situation!

(Courtesy: Lou Wehmer)

It was all about trust. When travelers were weary and needed a place to stay, the Harris family opened their doors and allowed them a place to rest.  The location of the Harris' home was near what used to be the old Masonic Lodge, located in Willow Springs.

(Courtesy: Lou Wehmer)

In 1869, as the town grew, James Ward Harris became the first postmaster of Willow Springs, marking an important milestone in the town's history. Though the city plat was not filed until 1882, the establishment of the post office in 1869 was seen as the beginning of the town’s formal development. The creation of the post office symbolized the town's growing connectivity, as letters, goods, and information could now flow more freely to and from Willow Springs.

The Harris Cemetery and the City’s Growth.

The Harris family grew while the town flourished. James Ward Harris and Permelia Jane had eleven children, ten of whom survived into adulthood. Several of these children are buried in Harris Cemetery, alongside their parents. Their graves, marked by simple yet meaningful headstones, stand as a testament to the family's central role in Willow Springs' history.

(Courtesy: Blue Sky Marketing)

The tallest headstone, belonging to J.W. Harris, can be seen while driving past historic Harris Cemetery, along business highway 60/63 in Willow Springs, Mo. Permeila Harris grave is located nearby.

As Willow Springs grew, Harris Cemetery remained a central part of the town's history. The cemetery became known as the “Old City Cemetery” in part due to the close relationship between the Harris family and the town itself. The cemetery also became known as the “Old Baptist Cemetery,” a name recorded by the South Central Missouri Genealogy Society in their volume Howell County Missouri Cemeteries 1795-1987. In the late 19th century, land adjacent to the cemetery was sold to create a site for a United Baptist Church, though there is no evidence that burials took place there. The church itself was sold in 1899, and while the cemetery was maintained, the expansion of the city cemetery eventually took over much of the community's burial needs.

J.W. Harris died February 10 of 1885. He was laid to rest in the very plot of land that he had envisioned years before. He was 53 years old. When Permelia Jane Davis Harris passed away on March 1, 1924, she was buried in the cemetery too, with her obituary referring to James Ward Harris as the donor of the land for the cemetery.

While the cemetery’s last known burial occurred in 1974, the history of Harris and his family continues to resonate in Willow Springs. In 2002, the city of Willow Springs assumed responsibility for maintaining Harris Cemetery, ensuring that the land remains well-kept and protected for future generations.

(Courtesy: W.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Willow Springs today is a bustling town of over 2,000 people and serves as one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in Southern Missouri.