Lawson's Station was in existence during the Civil War:

By the middle of October the reconstruction of the Iron Mountain railroad was underway.  It was well guarded with Brig. Gen. Madison Miller's headquarters at Lawson's Station seven miles northeast of Mineral Point.   It was said that he was a popular and highly efficient commander and had enough troops under his command to "eat up for breakfast" any rebel forces that could be mustered against him.  Details of work parties were dispatched daily.   Telegraph communication was being restored and rapid progress was being made at repairing track and rebuilding bridges including five bridges over Mill Creek averaging 120-130 feet long and 15-20 feet high and the south Big River bridge, 180 feet long and 35 feet high.
    Just when everyone thought they were safe again, an incident occurred which sent many citizens fleeing to the Union troops for protection.  A report of the incident appeared in the Missouri Republican:

Lawson's Station - October 15, 1864:  "..........A pretty heavy scare occurred in and around the country here yesterday.  Women and children, with a sprinkling of men, white and black, flocked into camp by the dozen, with the report that Potosi was burned and that Mineral Point and other places were in the process of being sacked by Magruder at the head of 6,000 Indians.
Gen. Miller immediately sent out a scout to look into the matter, but before his return reliable information was received that no force had been seen or heard of in that vicinity.   An Italian was the first to start the story - he received a worse scare when he was caught than before.  He stated he counted 600 and left.
The poor fellow was terribly frightened when threats were made by the boys (in jest) of hanging him.  It is thought he will emigrate.........."
    By October 18th the railroad was running to the 2nd bridge south of Lawson's Station and was expected to be running all the way to Pilot Knob in about 10 days.  The following appeared in the Missouri Republican:   "Any number of refugees from Washington, St. Francois and Iron counties are now returning home, mostly on foot, carrying in many cases, all the personal goods they have in the world.

 

Tiff - It is believed that the town of Tiff was established in the 1900's.  The Tiff Store was built 1905.  Commonly the word "tiff" means a slight quarrel or spat.  This definition could give the impression that residents of Tiff argue a lot!  However, in this instance the word tiff has a different meaning.   It is associated with the lead mining of Washington County.  Lead is usually found in a heavy rock called Baryte(barite) which is quite common here.  Baryte is locally referred to as "tiff" a slang term that was derived from the early French miners of the area.

INTERESTING NOTE:  When Gene & I went to Hawaii for our Silver (25th) Wedding Anniversay in 1994 we were having lunch at a small restaurant on the Big Island when we noticed a map on the wall of the restaurant. This map was of the United States and featured "TOWNS THAT REALLY EXIST" and named many towns throughout the country that had unusual names.  On this map in southeast Missouri was featured none other than the town of "TIFF" right here in Washington County!