Bourbon Township was established Feb 21, 1825, and named after
Bourbon County, Kentucky. The township was reduced in size by about one-third between 1883 and 1897 by the creation of Cleveland Township from what had up to that time been its northern sector. These changes are shown in historical maps listed in the bibliography of the article on
Callaway County, Missouri, and are significant for historical and genealogical research. ==Geography==