Dutchtown: Building a village

In 1776, a man named Martin Rodner settled in Dutchtown and purchased a water mill on Hubble Creek. For many years the mill on Hubble Creek thrived as immigrants from Switzerland began arriving in Dutchtown, originally known as Spencer.

A blacksmith and bricklayer set up shop in the small village. The old Bloomfield Road was constructed and ran directly through town. Railroad tracks at one time ran through Dutchtown.

"It had all the items for a small community and was very much a service center for that region," said Dr. Frank Nickell, director of the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University.

The Dutchtown Loop, a road through the village, was on the edge of a swamp. Before the Diversion Channel was built, the Castor River flowed into the lowlands near Dutchtown. The German Evangelical Church was at one time referred to as "Swamp Church."

Nickell believes the many legends found circulating in Dutchtown are because of its location near the swamp. "It has its share of unusual legends. It has always been sort of mysterious and always a place of interest," Nickell said.

Today, the stories continue to circulate throughout the village of 99 people. There's the tale of an unknown Gypsy woman trapped under a huge boulder that toppled down on her. And the story of 'No-Arm Jim,' who was born with only finger stubs on the sides of his shoulders.

Dutchtown resident H.W. "Bud" Obermann has heard them all.

"It's part of Dutchtown history and the years past," said Obermann, who was born in Dutchtown in 1927.

Today not much remains in the small community. Great floods in 1973 and 1993 prohibit any kind of development around Dutchtown. "Water has been a problem for Dutchtown. Even after that swamp was drained, flooding has been a problem," Nickell said.

The railroad tracks are still in Dutchtown but are covered in weeds. All that's left of the old mill on Hubble Creek are a few stones that were part of a dam.

Because of Dutchtown's location, it will probably always remain a small village.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246