Ripley County, Missouri
Ripley County | |
|---|---|
Ripley County Courthouse in Doniphan | |
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri | |
Missouri's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 36°40′N 90°52′W / 36.66°N 90.87°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| Founded | January 5, 1833 |
| Named after | Eleazer Wheelock Ripley |
| Seat | Doniphan |
| Largest city | Doniphan |
| Area | |
• Total | 632 sq mi (1,640 km2) |
| • Land | 630 sq mi (1,600 km2) |
| • Water | 2.1 sq mi (5 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 10,679 |
| • Density | 17/sq mi (6.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 8th |
| Website | www |
Ripley County is a county in the Ozarks of Missouri. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 10,679. The largest city and county seat is Doniphan. The county was officially organized on January 5, 1833, and is named after Brigadier General Eleazer Wheelock Ripley, a soldier who served with distinction in the War of 1812.
The original area included what would later become Oregon, Howell, Shannon and Carter counties. The historic Natchitoches Trail passes through Ripley County. It was a Native American trail to the Southwest that was used by pioneers, including Stephen F. Austin. During the American Civil War, Ripley County was strongly pro-Southern and provided four colonels for the Confederate Army. Several Civil War skirmishes took place in the county. Tourist areas include the Current River and the Mark Twain National Forest.