Old Jail Museum, Vienna, Missouri

This old jail was built in the Ozark Mountains town of Vienna, Maries County, Missouri, in 1856, and was converted into a museum beginning 100 years later. The limestone jail with a gable roof contains pioneer relics from the central Ozarks area. The structure was originally built by a Mr. Barnhard at a cost of $2,500. That seems a pretty good deal to me since it is still standing sturdily 160 years later.

Near the Old Jail Museum is another structure from the same era, the Felker Log House, built by John Felker, an immigrant from Hanover, Germany, who was one of the pioneer settlers in the area. Both buildings are owned and operated by the Historical Society of Maries County.

The Museum is near the center of Vienna, on Hwy 42 East (3 Blocks from Hwy 63).

Confederate Memorial State Historic Site, Higginsville, Missouri

Missouri is usually regarded as a "border state" during the Civil War, and regiments of Missouri soldiers fought on both sides of the conflict. Although the war ended in 1865, many soliders who survived the war continued to live until the mid 20th century. In 1891 the state of Missouri established a home for aging Confederate veterans on 135 acres of land in the western part of the state. 1,600 veterans and their families lived here over a 60 year period, the last veteran dying in 1950, at the age of 108. Two years later the Confederate Veterans Home became a Missouri State Historic Site, complete with a cemetery and Confederate monument.

It is an interesting, albeit sobering place to visit and to contemplate the darkest chapter in the history of the United States. Walking, picnicking and fishing are among the activities that may be enjoyed here.

Union Covered Bridge, Monroe County, Missouri

Union Covered Bridge is one of only four covered bridges which remain in the state of Missouri, and it is the only one of the burr-arch truss design. This Monroe Country landmark, across the Elk Fork of the Salt River, was built by Joseph C. Elliott in 1871. It was in service for 99 years, before becoming a Missouri State Historic Site.

This beautiful old bridge is in a remote location, just off Route C, southwest of Paris, MO. It may be visited any time and without charge, however, the visitor should be aware that there are no restrooms, picnic tables or other facilities. However, there is a nice interpretative exhibit which tells the story of the bridge.

Graham Cave State Park, Montgomery County, Missouri

The centerpiece of this 356 acre state park in central Missiouri is a sandstone cave which was used for human habitation as long ago as 10,000 years. Visitors can explore the picturesque entrance to the cave which is 120-feet wide and 16-feet high. Inside you will find exhibits explaining some of the archeological finds which have been made here. These discoveries helped rewrite history, proving that humans lived in this area longer ago than was previously known.

I made an overnight stop here in July, 2004, on a road trip with my two grandchildren, and we enjoyed the modern camping facilities. Graham Came State Park also has a Visitor Center, playground area, and opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, picnicing, etc.

Harry S. Truman Birthplace State Historic Site

In the small town of Lamar, Missouri, in the southwestern corner of the state, you will find the Harry S. Truman State Historic Site. It preserves the small frame home of John and Martha Truman, parents of the only Missourian to ever be elected president of the United States. Harry was born May 8, 1884, in the downstairs bedroom of the modest home. It is still in a residential neighborhood with tree-lined streets.

The future president only lived in the house until he was 11 months old, however, he was still living and present when the historic site was dedicated on April 19, 1959. I have always felt an affinity with Truman, whom most historians consider to have been an excellent president. Perhaps that is because I too was born in Missouri, and Truman is the first president that I can remember as a young boy.

Tours are available at the birthplace home, and a visitor center and gift shop is located in another small white house across the street. In addition to the 20X28-foot house, visitors may also see the well, outhouse and smokehouse located in the back. The home, typical of most homes in the late 1800s, has neighter electricity nor indoor plumbing. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Harry S. Truman was known for his country mannerisms and down-to-earth sensibility. He was was a self-educated man and the last person ever elected president of the United States who did not have a college degree. Those are some of the reasons that I hold his memory in high regard.

Watkins Mill State Historic Site, Missouri

There were once hundreds of mills such as the Watkins Mill scattered throughout the United States. There were grist mills, lumber mills, cotton mills and more. This historic old woolen mill was built by Waltus Watkins shortly before the Civil War, is said to be the last remaining mill of its type in the country. Fortunately it is being preserved as a State Historic Site, with an adjacent State Park.

The Watkins Mill was the center of an entire plantation or community with its own church, school, and out buildings. Many of these are still preserved and open for tours. History buffs and curious folk will enjoy the glimpse into a bygone era.

Mark Twain Lake, Missouri

Mark Twain Lake is a sparkling blue reservoir of 18,600 acres in northeastern Missouri. It was created by the U.S. Corps of Engineers with the building of Clarence Cannon Dam in the 1960s. It was built for the purpose of flood control, hydroelectric power, recreation, water supply, navigation and fish and wildlife conservation. Approximately 45,000 acres of land surrounding the lake are also under Corps of Engineers control, offering opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, boating and water sports.

Dramatic rocks and bluffs form the shoreline for much of the lake, adding to its scenic beauty. The Mark Twain State Park and Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site both border Mark Twain Lake and the adjoining Corps of Engineers property.

Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site, Missouri

This 2,775-acre park, named for the famous author/humorist Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), is located in the Salt River Hills in northeast Missouri. The terrain includes limestone bluffs overlooking woodlands of oak, hickory and maple. It serves as a haven for wildlife, as well as campers, hikers and picnickers. The park was established in the 1920s by the Mark Twain Memorial Park Association. It was transfered to the state in 1924, and became the third state park in Missouri.

The park has a wooded campground with basic and electric sites, numerous picnic areas, two boat ramps and more than six miles of hiking trails. Most of the park is surrounded by the waters of the 18,000 acre Mark Twain Lake.

This 2,775-acre state park, named for the famous author/humorist Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), is located in the Salt River Hills in northeast Missouri. The terrain includes limestone bluffs overlooking woodlands of oak, hickory and maple. It serves as a haven for wildlife, as well as campers, hikers and picnickers. The park was established in the 1920s by the Mark Twain Memorial Park Association. It was transfered to the state in 1924, and became the third state park in Missouri.

The park has a wooded campground with basic and electric sites, numerous picnic areas, two boat ramps and more than six miles of hiking trails. Most of the park is surrounded by the waters of the 18,000 acre Mark Twain Lake.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Park, Republic, Missouri

These 1,750 verdant acresnear Springfield, Missouri, are peaceful now, but on August 10, 1861, this was the site of the first major Civil War battle in Missouri. Confederate forces outnumbered the Union troops by 5,400 to 12,000, and it was an immediate Confederate victory. However, the southerners failed to follow-up and subsequently there was an increase of federal troops in the area, leading up to the Battle of Pea Ridge in nearby Arkansas, March, 1862.

Wilson's Creek is one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields to be found anywhere in America, remaining little changed from the way it was at the time of the conflict. Visitors will enjoy taking the "Tour Road." with stops at several interpretative exhibits, including the Ray House. In the Visitors Center there is a museum, orientation film, gift shop and restrooms.

Dallas County Courthouse, Buffalo, Missouri

When I first saw the Dallas County Courthouse in downtown Buffalo I thought it was one of the plainest and most nondescript county courthouses I had ever seen. It is a squatty one-story metal building with brick veneer covering the lower portion. The courthouse has almost no lawn and occupies the central square in downtown Buffalo. It was built in 1958 to replace a much more grand old brick courthouse which was destroyed by fire.

As a proponent of low taxes and limited government, I thought this "new" courthouse was absolutely beautiful. It shows that the people of Dallas have higher priorities than to over tax their citizenry to build a showplace courthouse that would be a monument to political power and big government. Or maybe this was just the best that they could do.

The Moses and Susan Carver House

George Washington Carver National Monument, Diamond, Missouri.

This house was built by Moses and Susan Carver in 1881. George Washington Carver did not live here, but he visited occasionally when he came "home" to Missouri. The house is open for viewing, along with interesting interpretive exhibits . The split rail fence which defines the yard and the surrounding shade trees make for an idylic setting. A garden behind the house is planted as it would have been when the Carvers lived there.

George Washington Carver National Monument

George Washington Carver National Monument in southwestern Missouri memorializes the life of a very remarkable scientist and early black leader in American history. It is located in a 210 acre park which surrounds Carver's boyhood home, and consists of rolling hills, woodlands, and prairies, as well as monuments, a museum and interpretative displays. Among the sights visitors will see are the 1881 Historic Moses Carver house and the Carver family cemetery.

George Washington Carver was born a slave in 1864, on the farm of Moses and Susan Carver. He was orphaned as an infant, and his frail health freed him from many daily chores, giving him time to explore. "Day after day I spent in the woods alone in order to collect my floral beauties and put them in my little garden I had hidden in brush," he would later write. Carver became known in his community as "The Plant Doctor," and in time he would become one of the great scientists and educators of his day.

Along the Carver Trail, beside the Carver Branch, you will see the Boy Carver Statue, pictured above. It was sculpted in 1960 by Robert Amendola. The statue is in a wooded natural area much like the ones young George loved to explore, and where he developed his insatiable curiosity which propelled his remarkable career. This well known statue is one of the most photographed spots in the park.