With a population of approximately 180 according to the 2020 census, the community of Brandsville is a small incorporated place in Howell County, Missouri. Located along U.S. Route 63, it lies southeast of the larger center of West Plains and just west of the Howell–Oregon county line.

The settlement, originally started in 1883, takes its name from Michael Brand, the original owner of the site. Early on it served as a stop for the St. Louis–San Frisco railroad line, and local lore says that during its early years the site was known as “Flag Pond” during construction of the railbed. For a while the community developed orchards and vineyards under the direction of a German immigrant, Hermann Wisch, who worked with Brand to advance fruit production, shipping wine under labels such as “Ozark Maid” and “King Ozark.” That bit of heritage gives the place a distinctive edge among rural Missouri towns, with the memory of fruit-growing and cellars beneath the land where wine barrels once rolled.

The community is modest in size but known for its quiet pace and its position along a scenic corridor. The land around it slopes gently and opens into pleasant views of woodland and farmland, especially in spring bloom or autumn color. Because of its connection to early orchard cultivation and to the rail line that shaped it, the locality retains a sense of early twentieth-century rural America. One interesting fact is that the area’s historical tornado and earthquake activity is above average, with the region experiencing stronger seismic jolts than much of the state.

Though the settlement is quite small, visitors and residents alike find a couple of spots to stop and eat or gather. The Last Chance Tavern & Grill is a tavern-style eatery that’s popular with locals and offers comfort foods and casual dining. While not a grand restaurant by big-city standards, it is popular among locals for its friendly service and familiar dishes. Another business worth noting is the Oddball Homestead, which operates more as a family farm than a conventional enterprise. The homesteading work there draws interest from those curious about sheep-shearing and fiber arts and provides a connection to the local agrarian tradition.

Beyond dining, one finds other local businesses serving everyday needs such as small service shops, local garages, and convenience stores. Because of the town’s scale, each business tends to be well-known among residents and part of the community’s informal network of connections. The residents know the owners by name, and these establishments often double as informal gathering spots where locals share stories about weather, crops, and daily life.

Life in the town moves with the seasons. Spring brings the first bloom of wildflowers and the orchards near the town edges recalling the old vineyards waking from winter. Summer evenings often invite a visit to the tavern or a casual drive out into the countryside to watch the sunset. While there is not a large festival unique only to the town, regional gatherings in Howell County are easily accessible, and residents often take part in county-wide fairs or community dinners. Local folklore speaks of the train’s whistle that once marked the evening in earlier days, and older residents sometimes tell stories of the cool cellars beneath the vineyards where barrels of wine rested before shipment north.

For residents or property owners in the area of Brandsville who may face unexpected visits from local wildlife such as raccoons in attics, bats in barns, or opossums behind sheds, professional help is available. At Critters Gone Urban, we specialize in humane, effective wildlife removal, addressing unwanted animal guests that may disturb homes or outbuildings. If you have noticed signs of a critter intrusion near your property in this region, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Critters Gone Urban today. We’re ready to work with you to protect your property.