The earliest documentation of the Lone Elm Store dates back to 1860. For reference, most of the western U.S. has yet to be admitted to the union. Abraham Lincoln will soon become president and “The Civil War” isn’t even a term yet. It will still be a few years before the Zion Lutheran church down the road opens with German services. In fact, paved roads–let alone automobiles–won’t become a reality for another few decades.

But at a dusty crossroads, trodden by horse and carriage, there stood a little general merchandiser that serviced locals from near and far.

The Lone Elm Store, situated at the intersection of B Hwy and KK Hwy, about 1 1miles south of Boonville, Missouri, is located in the unincorporated community of Lone Elm in Cooper County. This community was named after a prominent elm tree that once stood near the original town site.

The first known store to stand at the current location was established in 1860. In 1868, the store served as a post office in Lone Elm, operating until 1906.

During this period, the Lone Elm Store served as a vital hub for local residents, providing essential goods and services to the community. It was a polling place as well as a gathering place.

Before the age of instant messages, the store served as a communications depot for locals, who would leave messages for other patrons.

In 1897, the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Lone Elm was established just south of the store. The congregation acquired a five-acre tract of land from Mr. Wm. Twillman, part of which was designated as the Zion Lutheran Cemetery. The church and parsonage were constructed on the remaining land.

Today, the Lone Elm Store remains a testament to the community's rich history, reflecting the area's development and the enduring spirit of its residents.