Rogersville, Missouri

Rogersville, Missouri is your classic small town filled with friendly neighbors and wide open spaces. According to the United States Census Bureau, Rogersville’s population consists of 3,897 people. Life unfolds at more of a relaxed pace in Rogersville, and there is a strong sense of familiarity within the community. Shannon Batson, her two kids and her husband, Ken Krause, have lived in Rogersville for seven years. Batson and her family moved from Springfield for a smaller, more close-knit school district and to have more land and live in a country environment. Rogersville was a perfect fit because of its proximity to the city—they’re still close to all the shopping centers, popular restaurants and everything else Springfield has to offer.  

Batson’s daughter is a freshman at Logan-Rogersville High School and is on the swim and soccer teams, and her son is in fourth grade and plays basketball, football and baseball.

Batson finds comfort in the strong community aspect at Rogersville schools. Batson has seen first-hand how the teachers and administrators have tried to get to know her and her children on a personal level. “You just feel like there are a lot of adults looking out for your children,” she says. “You really get to know everybody in the school system, which is really wonderful.”

Batson’s house sits on 10 acres of land, which the family uses to roam free and detach. With trails weaving through their property, she and her family spend a lot of time taking in the fresh air, exploring the trails and walking down to the James River.

These moments are most cherished during the springtime. “Living out in the country and all of the trees blooming and the flowers, that’s probably the time we spend going down to the river the most,” Batson says. “It’s really nice and quiet out here, and you can just enjoy the awakening of spring.”

Raised in Gallatin, a quaint town north of Kansas City, Batson says being in Rogersville reminds her of how she grew up. “It’s just a really great community of people,” she says.

When they’re not engaged in sports activities, Batson and her family enjoy exploring new restaurants and outdoor activities with the locals. “It’s a great village of people that look out for each other’s family and kids,” Batson says. “It’s just a wonderful place to raise a family.”