Dent County

Dent County is an administrative county in central Missouri, encompassing Salem as its county seat and governmental hub. The region spans rolling countryside with several small towns and rural communities spread across its area.

The county was established in 1851 by the Missouri Assembly and named after Lewis Dent, a state representative who migrated from Virginia decades earlier. This creation occurred during Missouri's period of territorial expansion and local government organization.

The County Commission maintains strong local governance through three commissioners who represent districts and make decisions affecting the entire county administration.

Visitors can find Salem conveniently located near the geographic center of the county, where most government services are concentrated. The region connects via several highways and contains small communities with basic services and amenities.

A historic iron furnace called Sligo operated in the county from 1880 to 1923, producing pig iron for regional industrial needs. This facility represents an often-overlooked chapter of the county's industrial past.

Location: Missouri

Inception: February 10, 1851

Capital city: Salem

Elevation above the sea: 379 m

Shares border with: Crawford County, Texas County, Shannon County, Phelps County, Iron County, Reynolds County

Website: https://salemmo.com/dent

GPS coordinates: 37.60663,-91.50788

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:24