Missouri has changed a lot over the years. And growth sometimes means certain things are left behind and then they go through a process of decay, collapse and disintegration. We call them "ruins." Some ruins are rural and now covered in vines and such, while others represent an "urban decay." Let's take a look at some things that got left behind that have turned into unbelievable ruins that tell the stories of Missouri days gone by.
1. Ha Ha Tonka Castle, majestic and sorrowful in Camdenton, MO.
What was it like in the 1930s in Missouri? Small town Missouri in the 1930s looked like most of the rest of middle America during this time. While things were simpler, times were hard, especially for farmers, due to drought and the Great Depression. It was a trying period in the history of the Show Me State and the rest of the nation. These historic photos of Missouri depict what the normal day to day in small town was like, and offer a glimpse into life in in the 1930s in Missouri.
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1. A typical group of farmers in Prairie City, Mississippi County, March 1936.
I'll be honest, the only display here I completely understand is the handkerchiefs. Are they selling pipes or pipe cleaners? Also, what exactly is "Solder Seal?"
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11. A crowd in front of an itinerant photographer's tent in Steele, August 1938.
I just love looking at these historic photos of Missouri! I love seeing the old logos for products that are still around. It's also fun to see the people interacting with each other. It gives you a glimpse into the culture of that place and time and really instills a sense of pride in my Missouri roots. What is your favorite? If you'd like to see more images from this period, check out these Missouri homes from that time.
Have you heard the story of the amazing dog from Marshall, Missouri? In 1925 Sam VanArsdale bought a Llewellyn setter, who was considered the runt of the litter. VanArsdale named the pup Jim and quickly began working him with a hunting trainer. However, Jim was uninterested in training...what happened next is one of the most weird things that happened in Missouri.
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VanArsdale decided to take Jim into the fields for hunting even though Jim did not complete training.
Jim immediately detected a covey of quail and went on point. He also returned each shot bird on command. Jim went on to excel in hunting and Outdoor Life Magazine named him "The Hunting Dog of the Country".
Jim seemed to fully understand human speech and could do many amazing tasks on command. He even was able to obey commands in other languages and Morse Code.
After VanArsdale discovered Jim's amazing talents he took the dog to the University of Missouri for evaluations. The vets found Jim to be in perfect health.
As news of Jim's abilities traveled, requests came in for Jim to showcase his talents on the road. Jim performed in front of crowds all across the Midwest. He even correctly chose the winner of seven Kentucky Derbies!
Jim is the only pet buried at Marshall's Ridge Park Cemetery and his marker never goes without flowers or mementos.
Visit Jim's park and memorial statue on the town square off Lafayette St. in Marshall.
Do you believe the story about Jim the Wonder Dog's amazing talents? Let us know what you think of this piece of Missouri history in the comments below.
