New London, MO

NEW LONDON,  The county seat of Ralls county, Spencer township, on Salt river, 150 miles from St. Louis, and 100 from Jefferson City.  The post office has been established 35 years.  There are two stage routes - to Hannibal, 16 miles, and to St. Charles, 90 miles.  The town contains one free school, and one high school in the course of erection, one church, Reformers, one Masonic Lodge, Blue Ridge Lodge, No. 21.  Chief products, wheat, corn, hemp, and tobacco; timber, white and black oak, walnut, hickory, and elm.  Average price of uncultivated lands, $10; cultivated $15.  Population, 400.  (The Missouri State Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1860)