WELCOME!  My name is Deborah Gahan, Mayor Perryville, Missouri.  Every city thinks it’s special, and many are - but what makes a city be the one spot you want to live?  Is it history, schools, industry,  infrastructure, people,  family and the quality of life?  It’s all of those things and more, that’s what we have to offer in Perryville.  We are a city of caring, hard-working people that has grown through the years to offer a quality of life exceeded by none.

           Perryville was incorporated in 1831 and is the county seat of Perry County.  Our diverse culture stems from immigrants who settled here from France, England, Ireland, and Germany.  For over 175 years our city has been the hub of commerce, culture and growth in our county.  Two of the cornerstones on which Perryville was built were St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary and Rozier's Mercantile.  Over the years, family businesses and new businesses have arrived bringing additional growth and prosperity.  We are proud to be the home of TG Missouri, Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation, Sabreliner Corporation, the Perryville Municipal Airport, and the National Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, to name just a few.  We are rich in tradition and proud of our growth and accomplishments.

            Our parks and recreation facilities include the Perry Park Center, which houses a 22,000 sq. ft., award-winning indoor pool, complete with a water slide; a 400-seat theatre, which features first-run movies and live stage productions; basketball and racketball courts; a complete, well-equipped fitness center and an indoor track for walking or jogging.  Our Park Center is also home to the Perryville branch of the Riverside Regional Library, which houses a collection of 25,000-plus books, videos, CDs, and books-on-tape.  Computer stations provide patrons internet access.

            Our new handicapped accessible hike and bike trails wind through both the Soccer Park, off the Highway 51 by-pass, and the City Park, next to the Park Center, linking playing fields with playground and picnic areas.  A newly renovated, state-of-the art Veteran's Memorial Field, next to the Perry Park Center, is a ballplayer’s dream.

            Educational opportunities abound with Perry County District 32 offering AAA public education and St. Vincent Schools offering Catholic education for grades K-12.  Immanuel Lutheran School offers grades K-8.  The Perry County Higher Education Center hosts college classes through  cooperative programs with Mineral Area Community College and Southeast Missouri State University, while the Career and Technology Center features vocational and agricultural classes and adult continuing education courses.

            We’ve got it all – Perry County Memorial Hospital, Air Evac helicopter service, rehab and therapy facilities, topnotch city services, Senior Center, nursing homes, independent and assisted living, beautiful homes, affordable housing, museums, great shopping, the Perry Art Alliance, the courthouse square with gazebo, a 9-hole golf course, fairs, festivals, and 8,000 friendly people waiting to welcome you.

            Again, welcome to Perryville – we’re glad you’re here!

                                                                                    Best regards,

                                                                                    Deborah M. Gahan

                                                                                    Mayor

                                                                                    City Hall

                                                                                    215 North West Street

                                                                                    Perryville, MO   63775

                                                                                    573-547-2594

                                                                                  gahandeb@yahoo.com