Perryville: A pleasant atmosphere

As part of a beautification project, the entire downtown of Perryville is being renovated. The Square has been transformed into a showcase with newly completed streets, decorative sidewalks, "Washington" style light fixtures and decorative tree plantings. At the center of the Square sits the Perry County courthouse with its chiming clock tower. Also accenting the downtown area are brick paved plazas, landscaped seating areas, park benches, a sundial, a drinking fountain, a directional marker and a gazebo.

Saint Mary's of the Barrens Historic District, on the National Register of Historic Places, is a major Perryville attraction. It is one of the oldest Catholic churches still in use and was founded in the Louisiana Territory in 1818 by the Vincentian Fathers. The church is also home to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. In 2006 the church opened a spacious new home for retired priests on the seminary grounds.

Also in Perryville are the Perry County Museum, and the restored Faherty House built in 1831.

Business

The Perryville Municipal Airport has a 7,000-foot runway to accommodate corporate jets and smaller private planes. The airport also hosts charter services, sightseeing flights, flight instruction and mechanic services. There is space for private planes in the "T" hangars.

The goal of diversification in the City's industrial base has been extremely successful. Tenants in the Perryville Industrial Park include TG Missouri Corporation, Solar Communications, Inc., T-N-T Plastics, Falcon Foam, Industrial Foam Products, Perry County Sheltered Workshop and Missouri Corrugated Box.

Among other important contemporary manufacturers in the Perryville area are Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation, with five Perry County facilities, which processes and globally markets a wide variety of grain-based food products; Sabreliner Corporation, a company which provides maintenance and overhauling for both military and business jet aircraft engines; BBL Buildings and Components Ltd. and Stark Truss, Inc. both of whom manufacture building trusses for commercial and residential construction; and Midwest Stave Supply, Inc., a French wine barrel manufacturer which utilizes Perry County's superb white oak to supply white oak wine barrels to the international wine industry.

City information

Perry County Memorial Hospital provides medical services to the area.

Perryville has a population of 7,667 and is the Perry County seat. Its revenue comes from a sales tax rate of 7.475 an a properly tax rate of 70 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

Utilities

To connect water and sewer service, contact the Utility Department, 547-2594. Natural Gas Pipeline Co. supplies natural gas, and for electricity, visit the Citizens Electric Co-Op at 123 N Spring St., phone 547-2512. Nominal deposits may be required for each utility.

Register to vote at the Perry County Clerk's office, 321 N. Main St., Perryville.

History

Perryville was first incorporated in 1837. In the early 1800s Henry Burns built a home on South Spring Street which William P. Fahrty later bought. It is now a museum operated by the Perry County Historical Society.

The first of two stores in Perryville was a log structure on the north side of the square and the second was a two-story building, the upper story of which served as the first town hall. Later businesses were the Hoose Hotel which served as a hotel, a brewery and an auction block. In 1856, the town re-incorporated and bought its first fire engine. The town began to prosper with the building and development of railroad lines.

Among Perryville's firsts are: a power plant in 1913, and in 1923, the first industrial development effort that raised $100,000 to build an industrial building that brought in an International Shoe Co. factory.

City government

City officials

Mayor Robert Miget

city adminstrator William Lewis

city clerk Tracy Prost

police chief Keith Tarrillion

fire chief Charles LaRose

Aldermen

Ward 1 Paul Dunlap; Roger Prost

Ward 2 Frank Bergman; Randy Lible

Ward 3 Paul Flentge; Gary Schumer

Ward 4 Jack Nordin; Tom Cunningham

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Quote

Perryville offers tree-lined boulevards, a place to watch the seasons change in all their splendor and the opportunity to relax and breathe the clean air. It is a community of honest, friendly people, a place to get to know your neighbors. Perryville's pleasant atmosphere, excellent schools, medical facilities, shopping opportunities and a progressive, growing base of local business and industry make it a natural choice for anyone who appreciates the many advantages of life in a smaller community.

~-- Melissa Hemmann, Perryville Chamber of Commerce