SR B and SR P meet with SR 79 in Elsberry.

In the Spring of 1879 construction of the Clarksville and Western railroad reached the farm of the landowner for whom the town was named. He wanted to found a town named for him and soon afterwards a depot was built and a town laid out. The presence of the railroad attracted homes and businesses from nearby towns, causing a spurt in the city's growth. The home built by the town's founder still stands. At first the town had a harness shop, a grist mill, a newspaper, grain elevator, bank and a post office. As 1881 dawned the town could boast of having hotels,one jewelry store, several grocery stores, two general merchandise stores, one dry good and clothing store, restaurants, poultry house, butcher shop, blacksmith shops, barber shops, wagon makers, a large flouring mill and two saloons. The annual Classics on Wheels car show held in Elsberry in October has cars from the twenties to the present competing for prizes.

Hon. Steve Hillemann