Willie Lee

The trailhead at Willie Lee provides access to the Bateman Trail system from the east. It is nearby the Wolf Junction dispersed camping area. The site is not developed, but dispersed camping opportunities are limited. This location is also stop #6 on the Glade Top Trail Scenic Byways tour. The 1930s plat book shows J.W. Findley as the owner of the land now known as Wolf Junction. Other individuals owned the land before Mr. Findley, but he left a lasting impression that is part of Ozarks history. Mr. Findley was a noted author, local historian, and was known as the walking preacher of the Ozarks. In his retirement, J.W. Findley wrote 8 books, each relating to the Missouri Ozarks. He was 92 years old when he died in 1990 while living in Ava, MO. You can tell by the following quote that J.W. Findley was fond of the Ozarks: "And when Indian Summer comes and God hangs a shimmering curtain of blue purple over these Ozark Hills, and the trees put on their robes of scarlet and gold, just take a drive over the Glade Top (Skyline) drive and you'll say you've seen a little bit of Ozark Glory, too. God must have loved our hills a lot, or He wouldn't have made so many of them." (Ozark Glory,1985 J.W. Findley)The White River Historical Society located in Forysyth, MO was very helpful in gathering information for this stop. If you would like to learn more about Taney County history, visit their website http://wrvhs.org/. According to the 1930s plat book, lands now known as Willie Lee were once owned by the Rialto Land and Mining Co. in the 30s. The company owned several acres of land in the immediate area. Research has not found much information regarding this company.