Quiet Cassville is surrounded by nature and close-knit neighbors
Cassville draws tourists for outdoor recreation in the Ozarks, but for locals it's a peaceful year-round setting. This small town of about 3,200 exists in the rural center between Springfield, Branson, Bentonville and Joplin. "The reason people are there is that we're not near cities, so they like that rural living," says Lane Stubblefield, Realtor with Reece Nichols Real Estate, who has deep roots in Cassville and works throughout southwest Missouri. As the seat for Barry County, the town offers parks, schools, dining and events, while the distance adds to a small-town vibe. "It's the kind of place you've got to wave multiple times driving down Main Street to everyone you know," Stubblefield says.
The sprawling Ozarks and city parks offer outdoor fun
Roaring River State Park helps to put Cassville on the map, attracting anglers from across the country. It's one of a few Missouri state parks with rainbow trout, and the on-site fish hatchery helps keep the rivers stocked. Campsites and rustic cabins dot the park, and rooms are available at the CCC Lodge. The 40,000-acre Table Rock Lake is another popular destination, featuring nearly 800 miles of shoreline. The area has unique attractions like watersports, a cavern, a nature park and outdoor concerts.
Cassville maintains a 3-mile Greenway Trail, a scenic path to hike or bike between the town's parks. South Park's 7,000-square-foot aquatic center is a highlight in the warmer months. It features two water slides, interactive fountains and a concession area. South Park's wooded landscape also includes the River Birch Prairie 18-hole disc golf course. City Park features Little League fields, an adult softball field, three playgrounds and 12 pickleball courts.
Mix of older homes and large rural lots at lower prices
Outlying homes and farms offer lots of land. The city core offers an array of Minimal Traditional, bungalow, cottage and ranch-style houses from throughout the 20th century. They often sit on around a third of an acre. While there is not much new development, modern New Traditional properties can be found here. Some residential streets follow the hills and curves of the mountain landscape. East-side homes near Flat Creek may have a higher flood risk. Cassville's median home price is about $200,000 — well below half of the national median.
Cassville schools earn solid ratings and strong local support
Cassville R-IV School District gets an overall B from Niche and serves kindergarten through 12th-grade students with an elementary school, an intermediate school, a middle school and a high school. Parents and community members cheer on the Cassville High School Wildcats at Friday night football games. The team won state championship titles in 2008 and 2009 and placed in 2010 and 2019.
Popular hangouts, old-fashioned eateries and upscale dining
Main Street is home to local eateries, fast-food chains, shops and services. King Food Saver serves grocery needs. Fastrip gas station is a popular spot to hang out and grab sandwiches and snacks. "There's always someone there," Stubblefield says. Whitley Pharmacy has an old-fashioned soda fountain and deli counter serving burgers, hand-stirred sodas and milkshakes. The Rib serves steak and seafood dinners in a rustic, wood-paneled dining space. Food trucks offer additional dining options downtown. "They're out most days for lunch, and there's usually a couple out for dinner, too," Stubblefield says. "They've gotten pretty popular."
Cruise-in, cook-off and church groups foster connection
New and revitalized events have surfaced, like the Cassville Memories Cruise on Main Street. "They've had that the last couple of years, and it's been a real hit," Stubblefield says. "Everyone brings their old cars or whatever they have to cruise the strip like they used to back in the day." The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Chili and Salsa Cook-Off, featuring food samples, live music and vendor booths in the town square. Cassville's Garden Sass Farmers Market is open year-round on Saturday mornings. Several churches host Sunday worship services, ministry groups and community gatherings.
Rural location with highway access and medical care
Cassville's rural location makes it fairly car dependent. It's about 60 miles from Springfield and Joplin and about 40 miles from Bentonville. State Routes 248 and 37 are main routes in and out of town. Operating Above the Standard (OATS) Transit offers on-demand rides on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Bentonville's Northwest Arkansas National Airport offers over 20 direct domestic routes. Comprehensive medical care is available in town at Mercy Hospital Cassville.
Schools offer tornado shelters
Barry County experiences tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and winter storms. According to the National Weather Service, severe weather peaks from April through June, with a secondary peak from September to November. The Cassville R-IV School District has two FEMA storm shelters, one of which is open to the public after school hours.
