Town file
Climax Springs, Missouri
Climax Springs, Missouri (Camden County, Missouri) is the town in one episode of Small Town Murder, the comedy true-crime podcast: episode 243, "How Not To Kill A Sugar Daddy" (30 September 2021). Duncan R. Danforth was born in 1905 in Texas, the son of a country doctor who started the Danforth Hospital when the town had about 300 residents.
- Town
- Climax Springs
- County
- Camden County
- State
- Missouri
- Country
- USA
- Episodes
- 243
- Approximate location
- 38.100, -93.053
Episode 243 / 30 September 2021 / 165 min / full
How Not To Kill A Sugar Daddy
"So Climax Springs, Missouri, and we'll get to why it's called that. It's in central Missouri... It's in Camden County." about 0:05:25
The case: Murder of Dr Duncan Danforth (August 1980). Read the case file.
The figures, as told in 2021
- Population
- 203
- Median age
- almost 34
- Median household income
- $18,833
- Median home value
- $268,400
- Two-bedroom rent
- about $680
- Cost of living
- 88
- Religious
- 45.5%
- Violent crime
- ▲ slightly above average
History, in brief
- A post office called Climax was established in 1883. about 0:07:00
- The name was changed to Climax Springs in 1886. about 0:07:29
- It took its name from a mineral spring near the original town site. about 0:07:39
- According to local tradition, an enthusiastic settler shouted "that caps the climax" when he discovered the spring. about 0:07:43
- A group of businessmen added "Springs" to promote the healing waters of the area's mineral springs. about 0:08:22
- It never enjoyed the popularity of other mineral spring towns in the Ozarks. about 0:08:47
- In 1889 Camden County advertised it as "a romantic and pleasant village in which to live" and as a health resort that was probably not excelled. about 0:09:06
- Climax Springs disincorporated as a town in 2015. about 0:09:16
- The vote to dissolve was 28 to 6, with 34 voters coming to the polls. about 0:09:39
The reviews read out
3 stars
"Loves the unity and closeness of the community but dislikes the lack of exposure and diversity, feeling that many of her peers were deprived of social, political and academic knowledge."about 0:10:15
5 stars
"Everybody is accepted to play sports; there are no tryouts and you are guaranteed to be part of the team as long as your grades keep you eligible."about 0:11:02
3 stars
"Several memories with friends; the reviewer succeeded after leaving because of personal motivation and the preparation the school gave them."about 0:11:30
2 stars
"Not such a good school academically; school spirit could use a boost, not just for basketball."about 0:11:58
2 stars
"Students are not allowed to wear hats of any sort, including beanies."about 0:12:30
"A couple with their five-year-old son and their dogs stayed in a spacious hotel room over the summer; the rooms are very clean with a cabin feel, the property is amazing, and the peanut butter burgers are the ones to get."about 0:24:52
Nearest Small Town Murder towns
- Elkland, Missouri45 miles
- St. Robert, Missouri53 miles
- Willard, Missouri59 miles
- Reeds Spring, Missouri96 miles
- New Florence, Missouri103 miles
- Prairie Village, Kansas105 miles
Everything here is as told in the episode, on the date it went out; figures and places may have changed since. Endings are covered: open an episode and use the spoiler switch to read them.