Desloge's present is shaped by its mining past
Desloge was a key part of Missouri's Old Lead Belt, a major mining area that included nearby small towns of Bonne Terre and Doe Run. This legacy shapes both the identity and the challenges of the community. "Everyone's family worked at the lead mine at one point before it shut down. They are all related to that history," says Butch Fehr, a Realtor of 25 years with Re/Max Best Choice. "People living in those areas are very proud of it. They have that feeling of home." Today, the city is a designated Superfund site, with the Environmental Protection Agency actively conducting remediation efforts for lead. The town's historic worker cottages and city park, built on the old mine site, also showcase its history. Community events and local ice cream and pizza shops lining U.S. Route 67 create points of connection. Desloge is convenient to the larger city of Farmington, 10 miles away, and St. Louis, within about 60 miles.
From historic cottages to new construction
The town's streets trace a tidy grid, threading together neighborhoods, corner churches and small businesses. Farther out, lots get larger, with some homes on acres bordering woodlands. Housing spans the ages — from the early 1900s to more recent construction. Craftsman cottages, bungalows, midcentury ranch styles and New Traditional designs all have a foothold here. Historic homes are predominant. "A lot of them have to be retrofitted for central heating and cooling," Fehr says. "They just didn't have it back when the homes were built." New construction is limited and typically occurs through teardown and rebuild projects. Fehr says environmental soil testing can be requested, too. "When they go to sale, a lot of the yards get tested if they have lead or not — and if they do, the EPA will correct it." Most prices fall between $140,000 and $280,000, depending on square footage and condition. Homes beyond repair may start as low as $25,000, and large contemporary properties on several acres can sell for $400,000.
Public education through four schools and a career center
Students attend the North St. Francois County R-I School District. North County Parkside Elementary School, which covers third through fourth grade, earns a C-plus rating from Niche. North County Intermediate School, for grades 5 through 6, gets the same rating. North County Parkside Middle School and North County Senior High School both maintain C ratings. In nearby Bonne Terre, UniTec Career Center provides high school students with hands-on training in various fields, including digital media, construction technology and health services.
Local businesses mix with chains like Walmart Supercenter
Most businesses cluster around U.S. Route 67 and North Desloge Drive. Lix Frozen Custard whips up specialty sundaes and shakes and has a drive-through window. Imo's Pizza specializes in St. Louis-style pies with a thin crust. Cowboy Shiver Shack serves pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs from a tiny red hut. Big Door Coffee House sells locally roasted coffee, plant-based energy drinks and quick bites. Fast food places, Aldi and Walmart Supercenter add to the mix. The Giving Tree Boutique and Kae & Co Boutique sell women's clothing. Fehr says people travel about 10 miles to Farmington for more options.
Recreational parks in town and a new green space with trails
Desloge City Park is in the heart of town and has an Olympic-sized pool. Its volleyball and tennis courts welcome friendly competition. Joggers and dog walkers make use of the shared path, and kids meet on the playground. Brightwell Park, with its fields and batting cages, is a practice ground for soccer and baseball players. Phase One of Owl Creek Park, which opened near Desloge in 2025, features wilderness trails and access to the Big River, where people can kayak and fish.
Events include a holiday run, summer concerts and nearby fair
The Desloge Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Jingle Bell Run, where locals lace up for a spirited 5K run or mile walk each December. The city's parks and recreation department puts on a free concert series from June to August at Desloge City Park. For over 150 years, the St. Francois County Fair has been held at the nearby county fairgrounds.
Walkability and access to Route 67
Desloge's layout and sidewalks make it fairly walkable. Route 67 links the city to nearby towns and bigger cities like St. Louis. Southeast Missouri Transportation Service provides door-to-door regional transit and connections to St. Louis.
Hailstorms are common, but tornadoes are rare events
Desloge experiences periodic hailstorms and tornado warnings. The last major tornado to strike the city was in 1957.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
