GEN. JOHN J. PERSHING - A MISSOURI SON

ROAD TRIP

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2010

Traveling throughout Missouri, we are constantly seeking out those hidden sites of interest. This last weekend was no different. Our road trip took us up north in Missouri along Hwy. 36. We had originally planned the trip so that I could do some more research on Missouri County Courthouses, and also to look at possible sites to go quail and pheasant hunting. But we were pleased to find another gem of history on our journey! And it is so close to home.

We turned off Hwy. 36 at Hwy. 5 stopping briefly in Laclede, Missouri on our way to the county seat of Linn County, which is Linneus, Missouri. In Laclede we visited the boyhood home of General John J. Pershing.

General Pershing was born in Laclede, Missouri on September 13, 1860. He was born to John Fletcher Pershing and Ann Elizabeth Thompson. He had five siblings and attended school in Laclede. At that time school training was reserved for children of the prominent families of the community.

As we all know, General Pershing went on to accomplish a lot in his life through his military career. If you are interested in visiting this site, I highly recommend it. These little spots of history are scattered throughout our wonderful state of Missouri.

You might be surprised who comes from Missouri! I would suggest that you look up more information on General John J. Pershing, you will be impressed with his accomplishments!

Travel down the road.........

learn more about our history!

FARMER'S MARKETS SOON TO BE IN SEASON

TIS THE SEASON – FARMERS MARKETS GEARING UP TO OPEN

Here we are once again, the start of the local farmers markets! Local farmers selling their crops of fantastic FRESH produce!!!!! Or let’s hope that they are selling THEIR fresh produce and not produce trucked in from other areas that they did not raise.

History tells us that farmers have sold their produce at farmers markets, roadside stands and local festivals for centuries. It was their way of earning a little extra income and dispensing of their abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables harvested on their farms.

There is nothing as frustrating as going to a market that is advertised as ALL PRODUCE LOCALLY GROWN BY VENDORS, only to find tomatoes grown in hot houses in Arkansas and watermelons (out of season locally) grown in Texas and Mexico., then trucked up here to be sold. Why go to a farmers market when you can find this type of produce in your local supermarkets?

I travel around the area on farmer’s market days seeing just how many are truly locally grown by local vendors markets. Sad reality is that most are not. I will not buy produce at a farmers market that has been brought in from somewhere else – not local. The reason is that the produce is not “fresh”. Most has been picked to early, and not ready for consumption (not ripe).

Many farmers markets attempt to give the consumer more choices by filling their booth spaces with who ever will pay the fees. I am not really one that looks for arts and crafts at markets either; they have their time and place.

The nuts and bolts of a good farmer’s market are the varieties of in season local produce. Markets need to be directed by a person knowledgeable and experienced in locally grown produce, not someone just off the street, or not educated in farmer’s markets. Add variety to it of organic produce, and you have a good market. By experience I mean someone who has been there and done that….a local producer. Knowledge in the field of agriculture is a plus.

Happy farmer’s market ventures to all!

MISSOURI IS FULL OF POSSIBILITIES!

A FUN WEEKEND IN MISSOURI

Brian brings up a rock from 25 feet down for my flower garden……see the rock formations below them….beautiful water that day.
Thanks Brian!!!!! It is now a fixture in my garden with your name on it and the date of your scuba certification!
Congratulations on a job well done…next will be diving in the ocean with Grandpa John!!!!!!!

As we drove to the southwest part of Missouri this last weekend, I enjoyed the beautiful view of the changing of the trees. I had to remember that this drive was to do something that very few would even imagine possible in Missouri at this time of the year…..scuba diving.

Most go to the warm sunny locations of the Caribbean to partake in this sport, but not us this weekend. We traveled to the beautiful Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri. The weather was terrific, temperature in the 70's and the water great.

The dives took place by the Table Rock Lake Dam. In some places the water was clear enough to see the beautiful rock formations below. There are so many different things that you can enjoy in this beautiful state. This weekend at Branson, which is where Table Rock Lake is located, it was the Fall Festival at Silver Dollar City. And there are a variety of shows that are located in Branson, and of course the boating and fishing.

However we chose to spend the weekend with our scuba friends, as our grandson and his girlfriend completed their scuba certification with their open water dives. It was such a delight to watch them become familiar with a sport that rates with my husband – also a scuba diver.



This was a great weekend with great friends, and of course the grandson. He did a fantastic job!

Missouri is so full of possibilities for weekend excursions….some close to home, some a couple of hours away…take advantage of them!!!!

MISSOURI AND THE COLORS OF AUTUMN

THE BEAUTIFUL FIELDS AND TREES OF MISSOURI IN THE AUTUMN

It is a beautiful fall weekend in Missouri. Colors abound… the trees shout with joy as we drive towards the southern part of the state. There isn’t a more beautiful site this time of the year than corn fields, soybean fields, and the trees turning into their beautiful gold, reds, and brown hues. I could look at the trees forever…..they are so inspiring.

Brings to mind a poem I wrote a couple of years ago about the trees….seems to fit in here as the seasons change.

A COLLAGE
I
There stands the tree,
shelter for the birds
waving its arms, waving them in
II
Can it be envy that
the tree there has, with the
color of green
III
They fall to the ground
as if they were sails, those
big leaves of the tree.
Falling, falling, falling
IV
They stand tall
soldiers of the time
shading against the heat
protecting in the rain
trees
V
Tops of sponge like color
varied shades of green
Trees fill the roadside with
rows of browns and greens
Difference in barks
gives value of distinction
VI
Seasons have changed
snow is falling
flames are abundant
the green is gone
the tree is in sections
a blaze in the pits

They soon will be bare and the snow will highlight their strength!

Poem - Copyrighted 2007

MISSOURI IN THE FALL

Colors are beginning to adorn the landscape of Missouri. Fall is in the air. Nothing is more beautiful that the fall scenery of Missouri. Take the time to enjoy it with a drive through the country side. Pack a lunch and enjoy the views!
Also great this time of the year in Missouri is the fantastic events and festivals that are held throughout this state. Beginning this weekend, Labor Day weekend, towns come alive with the smell of food being grilled, sounds of great entertainment, and arts and crafts galore.
I have put together a list of some of the things happening over the next two weeks that would make a great family adventure. Take a look and try some out. There will be more posted throughout the month! This is not by any means all of them!
September 4-6 Kansas City Irish Festival is a family festival with traditional festival food,
multiple performance stages, heritage displays, workshops and children’s
activities!
September 4-7 Santa-Cali-Gon Festival – Independence, Missouri is one of the largest arts
and crafts festivals around. It includes all the great traditional festival foods,
live entertainment and much more!
September 12 -13 Shrimp Festival – Dixon, Missouri
September 11-13, 15, 17, 18-20 39th Annual Jesse James Festival – Kearney, Missouri
September 13 Hazelwood Harvest Festival – Hazelwood, Missouri (near St. Louis)

This is just a sampling, there are many many more. This is the time to enjoy all that Missouri has to offer!

EXPERIENCING MISSOURI OFF THE BEATEN PATH

DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN

Curiosity is peaking and a road trip in the works for Sunday, where to – Kingston, Missouri. This little community is the county seat of Caldwell County Missouri. It seems to be almost a ghost town, but the county courthouse is still standing and functioning as the center of county government. Surely there has to be some tourist draw in this quaint little area. There are 287 residents in this small rural town, according the sign. So I am off to find out why people would be interested in this community as a tourist stop.

The history of this county is vast. Everything from Native Americans, civil war ties, and Mormon history comes out of this county. While there were not any “battles” here during the Civil War, there were famous skirmishes. Also during the Mormon War, fighting was fierce among the opposing sides in this county. This should be something that would draw history buffs to visit.

Kingston is the oldest city in Caldwell County, Missouri, becoming the county seat in or around 1843. The city is named for Judge King, a popular circuit judge in Richmond at that time, and later he became the governor of the state.

The courthouse that stands there today was built in 1898. The cornerstone was laid on September 2, 1898. It was completed on December 1, 1898 at the cost of $24,827. The building is still being used today for the county offices, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a beautiful building and looks as if it should be surrounded by a bustling town square. However, that is not the case.

The present courthouse is the 4th courthouse to be built in Caldwell County. Kingston was not the original county seat, but won its challenge against Hamilton to become the county seat of Caldwell County when Far West was dissolved, and is still the headquarters of the county.

My curiosity was peaked when we got to Kingston. I was extremely curious about the former county seat of Far West. So we followed the signs to what once was Far West. There is a lot of history in this area with the Mormons. The town no longer stands, but there is a beautiful monument and picnic area where Far West once stood. Well worth a drive to see…even if you are of another faith. History crossed all barriers and religions…it is the history of our country.

Although I am not a historian, I will try to provide a little background about the creation of Caldwell County. It was created in December 1836 by the Missouri General Assembly and to be dedicated to Mormon settlers. At that time the county seat was a town called Far West. Mormons who were being driven out of Jackson County gathered in Caldwell County. There was a lot of friction between the non-Mormons and the Mormons. The Mormons were run out of this area when Joseph Smith was arrested. Far West was left to fade away.

My suggestion to you if you want to know more about this intriguing area’s history do some research and then take a road trip to see it for yourself. There is a lot available online, so push ahead and look it up. Then go see it!! Step out of the box of comfort. Experience Missouri!!!!!! Experience history!

COUNTY COURTHOUSE - Kingston, Missouri

DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN - Sunday, February 5, 2012

"History is not another name for the past, as many people imply. It is the name for stories about the past." ~ A J P Taylor

Curiosity is peaking and a road trip in the works for Sunday, where to – Kingston, Missouri. This little community is the county seat of Caldwell County Missouri.

It seems to be almost a ghost town, but the county courthouse is still standing and functioning as the center of county government. Surely has to be some tourist draw in this quaint little town. There are 287 residents in this small rural town, according the sign as you enter the location. So I am off to find out why people would be interested in this community.


The courthouse that stands there today was built in 1898. The cornerstone was laid on September 2, 1898. It was completed on December 1, 1898 at the cost of $24,827. The building is still being used today for the county offices, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The present courthouse is the 4th courthouse to be built in Caldwell County. Kingston was not the original county seat, but won its challenge against Hamilton to become the county seat of Caldwell County when Far West was dissolved, and is still the headquarters of the county.

There have been some rumors of some paranormal activity surrounding the courthouse - revolving around the hangings that occurred in early years, curious visitors in the courthouse, shadow figures, items being moved,etc. This would possibly be an intriguing location for those that seek out the paranormal.

Kingston is the oldest city in Caldwell County, Missouri, becoming the county seat in or around 1843. The city is named for Judge King, a circuit judge in Richmond, and later became the governor of the state.

My curiosity was peaked when we got to Kingston. I was extremely curious about the former county seat of Far West. So we followed the signs to what once was Far West. There is a lot of history in this area with the Mormons. The town no longer stands, but there is a beautiful monument and picnic area where Far West once stood. Well worth a drive to see…even if you are of another faith.

I will try to provide a little background about the creation of Caldwell County. It was created in December 1836 by the Missouri General Assembly and to be dedicated to Mormon settlers. At that time the county seat was a town called Far West. Mormons who were being driven out of Jackson County gathered in Caldwell County. There was a lot of friction between the non-Mormons and the Mormons. The Mormons were run out of this area when Joseph Smith was arrested. Far West was left to fade away.

If you want to learn more, go to this site and read the article that was written about Caldwell County and Kingston -

http://www.fold3.com/image/#262841258


My suggestion to you if you want to know more about this intriguing area’s history do some research and then take a road trip to see the area. There is a lot available online, so push ahead and look it up. Then go see it!! Step out of the box of comfort. Experience Missouri!!!!!! Experience history!