There’s no need to hurry in Memphis, Missouri

Welcome to a town where neighbors actually know each other, Lake Show Me is never crowded, and there’s always something worth sticking around for.

Established in 1843, Memphis is home to about 1,800 people, two museums, a century-old Pepsi bottling plant (still in operation!), and plenty of outdoor recreation space.

Whether you’re here to fish, explore our history, or find a community that still shows up for each other, Memphis has exactly what you’re looking for.

Welcome to Missouri sign with fall decorations, including hay bales, pumpkins, and flowers, in an outdoor rural setting.
A historic government building with a clock tower, flags, a statue of the Statue of Liberty, and a well-maintained lawn under a clear blue sky.
Exterior view of a city hall building with stone and beige siding, a sign indicating business hours, surrounded by a tree, shrubbery, and potted flowers.
Small aircraft parked on a tarmac with a large white hangar building in the background, green grass in the foreground, and trees and a clear blue sky behind.
A peaceful lakeside scene with trees, picnic tables, and a gravel pathway.
A park with a wooden picnic shelter, trees, rocks, and a view of a lake in the background under a clear blue sky.
A compass rose engraved on a concrete surface showing the cardinal directions North, South, East, and West.
A park with green grass, tall trees, and large rocks, with picnic tables, a trailer, and a fence in the background.
A peaceful lakeside scene with calm water reflecting the blue sky and surrounding green trees, with a grassy shore and a sidewalk on the right.
Path leading to a boat launch area with covered structures, railing, and stairs, situated near calm water with green trees in the background.
A wooded area with a trail and a signboard with a yellow warning sign on a post.
A monument with four columns and a capped roof, situated on a grassy area next to a sidewalk and street, with buildings and trees in the background.
Entrance sign for Scotlans County Historical Museum, with a flower planter nearby, in a garden with roses and a brick walkway
A park with green grass, tall trees, playground equipment like slides and swings, and a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Vintage gas station with Sinclair brand signs, old fuel pumps, a toy dinosaur statue, and vintage cars parked nearby.
A war memorial monument with a statue of a soldier on top, located on a grassy area next to the road, with an American flag and a weather vane on nearby buildings.
White metal shed with a sign that reads 'Recycling Drop Off' in red letters, surrounded by trees and a parking lot in the background.
View inside a recycling station with cardboard boxes filled with paper and an
A sign for Timber Ridge Golf Course with the Pepsi logo beneath, situated outdoors under trees on a partly cloudy day, with a parking lot of cars and a road nearby.
Historical house sign that reads 'Downing House, ca. 1858, built by Wm. G. Downing, hanging on a white wooden frame with trees and houses in the background.'
The Downing House - A white, multi-story house with black window shutters, a small side porch, and a larger front porch, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn and a gravel driveway, with trees and neighboring houses in the background.
The Downing House - White building with black shutters, large trees, green lawn, American flag, and a sign indicating a historical museum.

A Brief History

Memphis, Missouri was established in 1843 when Scotland County commissioners selected a spot near the county’s center for the new county seat. Settler Samuel Cecil donated the land, and the town was named after Memphis, Egypt.

In the late 1920s, Memphis became an unlikely aviation hub – home to the Pheasant Aircraft company and pilot Lee Briggs. Ella Ewing, the 8’4” “Missouri Giantess,” called Memphis home and toured with Barnum and Baily Circus. In 1929, the Johnson family started what would become the Pepsi-Cola Memphis Bottling Company.

What defines Memphis today is the community that’s been here all along. We preserve history, support each other, and welcome anyone looking for a place that still feels like home.

Explore More Memphis, MO History

Memphis at a glance

Location

Scotland County seat, North East Missouri

Highway 136, east of Lancaster, west of Kahoka

View Map →

Established

1843

Population

~1,731 (2020 census)

Healthcare →

Scotland County Hospital, Memphis Medical, Memphis Community Health Center, Scotland County Pharmacy

Education →

Scotland County R-1 School District

Recreation →

Lake Show Me, Legion Park, Johnson Park, swimming pool, disc golf, shooting range, walking trails, golf

History

Downing House Museum, Boyer House, Train Depot, WWI Memorial, Pheasant Aircraft

Local Business →

Locally owned restaurants, shops, and services.

Distance from Major Cities

Kansas City, Missouri: 200 miles

St. Louis, Missouri: 205 miles

Des Moines, Iowa: 140 miles

 

Don’t let our size fool you – Memphis has more going on than most small towns.

  • Outdoor Recreation:

    Fishing, camping, hiking, disc golf, shooting ranges, and miles of trails. Plus a city pool, two parks, and a golf course.

  • Aviation and Local History:

    The Downing House Museum tells the story of Ella Ewing (the 8’4” Missouri Giantess), the Pheasant Aircraft Company, and Memphis’s surprising role in early aviation. The Boyer House and train depot add to the historical landscape.

  • 80 Years of VFW Service:

    Wallace W. Gillespie Memorial VFW Post 4958 has been serving Memphis since the 1940s. Before Memphis, MO had ambulance service, the VFW stepped up and operated the town ambulance throughout the 1950’s.

    Today, they continue raising money for teachers and children and showing up to every community event.

  • Full Healthcare Services:

    Scotland County Hospital and multiple medical clinics mean you don’t have to go far for quality care.

  • A Community That Shows Up:

    High school sports pack the stands, neighbors help neighbors, and local events bring people together.

  • Pepsi Bottling Plant in Operation Since 1929:

    Employing over 38 people and serving an eight-and-a-half county area. They even have a small museum with vintage trucks and memorabilia.

Moving Forward

Preserving our past and building our future. Here’s what we’re working on:

  • We’re pursuing a grant to build sidewalks connecting the gym and rec center to the school, making it safer and easier to walk from one end of town to the other.

  • Working towards getting a grant to expand the Briggs-Smith Memorial Airport and increase fuel tank capacity, supporting local aviation and attracting more pilots to Memphis.

  • This website is part of our commitment to keeping residents informed with city updates, blog posts, event calendars, and accessible contact information.

Your City Government

The City of Memphis, Missouri is governed by a mayor, a city council, and a dedicated staff who keep our town running. Here’s who serves you:

Mayor

Mike Ahland

City Aldermen

East Ward: Mike Stone, Lane Campbell

West Ward: Katie Harris, Mike Gundy

City Administration

City Clerk:

City Treasurer: Joni Robinson

City Administrator: Regina Long

Electric Department Head: Jordan Fulk

Water Department Head: Randall Aldridge

Sewer Department Head: Lucas Woollums

Water plant chief operator: David Mishra

Road and Street Department Head: Roger Tinkle

Parks and Pool Department Head: Cecily Williams

Office Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (excluding holidays)

Location

125 W. Jefferson, Memphis, MO 63555

Phone

660-465-7285

Contact the City of Memphis
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