History

THE AREA
The Meramec River valley sits in the most northeastern section of the Ozark Plateau which covers most of southern Missouri, northern Arkansas and small parts of Oklahoma and Kansas. The plateau region was pushed up by forces beneath the earth’s crust. Erosion from the big ice melts carved the Ozark region’s valleys and bluffs leaving behind nature’s works of art.

The name Meramec is traced to the Algonquian Indian word “ugly fish” or catfish. One would think that this reference came from the lower Meramec area where it joins the Mississippi River. The state of Missouri was named by the Illini tribes from the east and translates to “those with canoes”. The pretty river of “ugly fish” is still a very popular Missouri stream for those with canoes, kayaks, rafts and boats.

The Meramec River valley survived an Army Corps of Engineers effort to construct a dam near Sullivan, MO. in the 1970’s. The dam was to provide flood control and flat water recreation. A public vote in 1978 put an end to the construction that was already underway. MSV would have been under water and would have been at the extreme upper end of the proposed lake.

SCENIC VIEW
The Scenic View was started as campground (daily fees) and the current lodge was a store/office. 2001 saw a local group of investors buy the property. They subdivided some of the ground for building lots, rented the campsites on a seasonal basis and turned the store/office into the lodge that it is today.

The Lamb side of our family has roots here in Crawford County. My great grandfather homesteaded around Jakes Prairie northwest of Cuba. My grandfather was raised on the farm moving away during the war. My dad and uncle were raised in south St. Louis but visited the farm when they were growing up. They had an older brother who was born in Jakes Prairie, died as an infant and is buried in Cuba. The milk house and silo still stand on the farm today.

Janice was raised on a dairy farm just outside the southern Illinois town of Pinckneyville in Perry County. She and her brother were the 3rd generation of Bighams to have lived on that farm. We have two daughters and a son who have been raised in the Illinois towns of Pinckneyville, Jacksonville, Rushville and HIghland.

We purchased this property in December of 2012 and added Meramec to the name Scenic View. The plan is to run the business as it has been and make some improvements every year. Being around Steelville seems to fit us just fine. The folks we have met in the area have been very helpful and friendly. We hope the area and MSV is a favorite place for you to enjoy many good times with your family and friends.

Thanks,
The Gregg & Janice Lamb Family