Located in Mid-Missouri, it consists of five counties: Boone, Audrain, Randolph, Cooper, and Howard.

[3][4] Other significant cities in the area include Moberly, Mexico, Boonville, Vandalia, Centralia, and Fayette.

The area was originally called the Boonslick and settled mainly by Kentuckians following the Boone's Lick Road starting around 1812.

[5] The town of Franklin, now washed into the Missouri River, was an early commercial center and start of the Santa Fe Trail.

The region was considered for the location of the Missouri State Capitol, but eventually a site was chosen 30 miles (48 km) south of Columbia and Jefferson City was created to serve that purpose.