Tornado at Golden in 1909

Golden by June Stiles from Back to Barry

As early as 1828, only a few years after Missouri became a state, white people began to come into the area now known as Golden to establish their new homes. The area between Kings River and White River was then known as Hickum Prairie, named for Robert Hickum who settled there in 1828. In May 1841 it became White River Township in Barry County. Shortly after the close of the Civil War, John Leland migrated to the area from North Carolina and settled at what was later known as the Golden Ford on White River. He established the first trading post and post office, he called it Golden, and later it became Old Golden. It was just west of the Viney Recreational Area. In 1862 a land grant was issued by the government to John Wesley Roberts. Sometime later, he gave the land for the school to be built on, and he opened up a general store. More businesses were built around him and more families began moving into the area. Mr. Roberts platted and layed out the little village and it became known as new Golden. The first ferry boat on White River was built and run by a Mr. Polkerton. The first grist mill was built and operated by a Mr. Slusher at a spring on Owl Creek; another grist mill was built later by Wat Carney. In 1906 the First Baptist and the First Christian churches were organized and church edifices were built.
A tornado destroyed the town of Golden on April 29, 1909. The town at that time consisted of three large general stores, a drug store, post office, barber shop, two churches, the school house, a hardware store, blacksmith shop, a "blind tiger" saloon, a mill, an ice house, and a practicing physician.

Lunch at Golden School 1948-49

At one time school enrollment reached near 160 pupils and the school boasted of a twoyear high school. The only building left standing was the new post office built only a year before. The Golden Bridge spanning White River was completed in 1929. Among those instrumental in getting it built were Matthew Roberts son of John Wesley Roberts, W.C. Johnson, Dan Shumate, John Head and many others. It was a sad day in 1959 when the water of Table Rock Lake covered the old bridge and the engineers had to blow the “ol bridge" out to make the water safe for the boats and other enjoying our White River or Table Rock Lake. But Golden has progressed with the time. Twenty years have lapsed, the business buildings have moved a mile south to the 86 Highway and J junction but the Baptist Church, post office and formerly the school building now known as the Golden Community Center still remain at Golden. And surrounding our little hamlet are Emerald Beach Village, Shawnee Woods, Arrow Point Estates, Mayo Beach, Elmo's Division, and Bel Voir Acres, with many more developments going in at present. The first bank is being built, to be open to the public soon.