http://www.showmemissouri.net/index.htmlCyber-Travelseneninfo@showmemissouri.netCopyright 2011 Show-Me Missouri2026-05-11T14:56:29-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Thu, 12 Feb 2015 10:38:12 -0600info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2026-05-11T14:56:29-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/d776ca46ac99698eca1483dac52e92bf-44.html#unique-entry-id-44http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/d776ca46ac99698eca1483dac52e92bf-44.html#unique-entry-id-44 by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

This is definitely the year to get your kicks on Route 66 in Missouri. Folks around the country—and even the globe—will be celebrating the centennial of the Mother Road, which was “born” on April 30, 1926, in Springfield.

Missouri is fortunate to have many segments of the historic road still intact, plus a number of original attractions scattered along the route from St. Louis to Joplin.

A new attraction that looks and feels vintage is Campbell’s Service, a museum of petroliana (or petroleum memorabilia) on Historic Route 66 in Pacific. The collection showcases artifacts related to service stations from the early days of the 1920s through the height of Route 66 usage in the 1950s and 1960s and beyond.

The museum is the project of Larry West of Kirkwood, who owns West Contracting next door to the museum. West had been collecting automotive items for 30 years, decorating his office with them. He recently bought three acres next to his company with a small unused church building on it. About that time, he acquired an extensive petroliana collection from Duane Campbell of Union.

Realizing that all the items would not fit in his office, he decided to remodel the church building to look like a vintage service station and use it as a museum to hold his newly expanded collection.

“I named the station ‘Campbell’s Service’ to acknowledge the 40-plus years that Duane and his family dedicated to assembling this notable collection,” says West.

The Route 66 Centennial gave West a deadline. The museum opened in 2025 and has already seen lots of traffic.

“I have already had many guests from all over the world,” says West. “A large portion of the visitors from other countries fly to Chicago, rent a car and drive the existing sections of Route 66 to Santa Monica, California. It’s a great way to see the heartland of America.”

You can’t miss the museum, with its tall Phillips 66 sign out front, the fuel tanker truck parked near the building and two vintage gas pumps under the portico. Inside, you’ll see a 1929 Model A Ford and a 1956 Ford 100 pickup, both beautifully restored.

There’s a heavy emphasis on Phillips 66 memorabilia, most of which is from Campbell’s collection. Among the many restored gas pumps, the clockface pump is West’s favorite. You’ll find vintage road signs, advertisements, automotive equipment, toys, maps and much more.

Campbell’s Service is located at 18625 Historic Route 66 in Pacific. The museum is open by chance or by appointment; use the contact form on the website to arrange a visit. There is no admission fee but donations are welcome. For more information, visit Campbell’s Service–Route 66 Museum on Facebook. ]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2026-02-05T16:55:13-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/ffcf061838958e804352ecea292a985f-43.html#unique-entry-id-43http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/ffcf061838958e804352ecea292a985f-43.html#unique-entry-id-43 by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

People collect all sorts of stuff, but funerary items are not particularly common. Which is why the Sixkiller Funeral Museum in Thayer is almost certain to contain things you have never seen or known about before.

How did Chris and Laila Sixkiller get started in this unusual pursuit?

“My dad was in the funeral industry,” says Laila, who has been collecting funeral-related items for the past 12 years. “When I met my husband, he was driving hearses. Chris is a fan of station wagons and Cadillacs; hearses are the quickest way to get both. We took our interests and combined them.”

The couple was living in Springfield when they found the three-story building in Thayer for sale. “It had ample garage space for our five hearses, and I wanted to use the storefront for the museum.”

The ground floor houses the museum while the couple lives on the second floor. Laila operates an auto upholstery business on the third floor. The building is built into a hillside so each level has road access, and “we can drive into the second- floor garage and the third-floor upholstery shop.”

They moved to Thayer in July 2023 and opened the museum in October of that year during the Thayer Fall Festival. Although much of the building was basically a shell and needed lots of work, the 2,500-square-foot storefront was useable with just a fresh coat of paint.

Of the hundreds of items in the collection, Laila likes to showcase things related to female undertakers. She has four women’s embalmer licenses dating from 1928 to 1950. “These are very unusual for that time frame,” she says. “You had to be born or married into the business.” She also likes the advertising pieces that feature female embalmers.

The most historic—and definitely the heaviest—item is the 1948 Champion embalming table made of porcelain and cast iron. It weighs 950 pounds.

The table is from the Gorman-Scharpf funeral home in Springfield. According to Laila’s research, Robert Stroud, the Birdman of Alcatraz, died at the Medical Center for Federal Prisons in Springfield in 1963 and underwent his post-mortem examination on the table.

Halloween is a natural fit for special events and decorations at the museum, but the upcoming holiday season brings a meet-and-greet with a surprise visitor: Krampus, an 8-foot animatron that moves and makes noises. A special event is being planned; check the Sixkiller Funeral Museum’s Facebook page, for details about that and other events throughout the year.

The Sixkiller Funeral Museum is located at 203 Front Street and is open Friday through Sunday year-round by appointment by calling 417-840-4054. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted. ]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2025-11-17T13:23:42-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/a374eb94b8e5c1a0c7f6ff7dbc938e4e-42.html#unique-entry-id-42http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/a374eb94b8e5c1a0c7f6ff7dbc938e4e-42.html#unique-entry-id-42 by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

Take a walk through Ozark history at the Dent County Museum in Salem, where three floors of period furniture and artifacts tell the story of the county and its residents. The well-preserved 1895 home boasts beautiful, original pine woodwork and 13 rooms full of interesting displays.

Members of the museum board, which operates the museum, are “interested in preserving the history of Salem and Dent County for future generations,” explains Jo Ann Wells, board president. Most of the board members, all of whom are volunteers, have deep roots in the county and take turns working at the museum when it is open on Sunday afternoons. For example, A.J. Seay, who was on duty the day we visited, says his mother’s family has been in the Sligo/Short Bend area since the 1860s and his father’s family in Salem since the 1870s.

As the sign in the front yard says, the museum began “with a gift from the late Margaret Ray Vickery in 1971.” The museum board bought the home in the early 1970s and converted it into the museum, which opened on May 30, 1976.

Although he was not the original owner of the house, the late William P. Elmer was its most famous resident and was responsible for the addition of the third floor. Elmer, a lawyer, was the first U. S. congressman from Dent County. Many of his descendants still live in the area.

The museum is holding the first William P. Elmer Day on Saturday, October 11. Rick Mansfield, well-known historic interpreter from Ellington, will portray Elmer and share the history of Elmer’s family and home. Homemade cookies and lemonade, plus a performance by the Community Choir, are part of the planned festivities.

The first two floors of the museum are furnished as they would have been in the early 1900s. The third floor features special collections, including a jeweler’s workbench, children’s toys and vintage typewriters. There’s a reproduction—although smaller—of the Liberty Bell, which was cast in honor of the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. There are several outbuildings, including a cellar with a viewing area and an open carriage shed. Tall oak trees shade the yard and the Spring Creek Garden Club maintains the flower beds.

Dent County Museum is located at 400 North Pershing Avenue. The phone number is 573-729-6331. The museum is open from 1-4 p.m. Sundays, from the last Sunday in May through the last Sunday in October, plus special events. Other dates or group tours are available by appointment by calling Jo Ann Wells at 573-729-2643. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Memberships are available for $10 per person per year or $100 per person lifetime.]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2025-08-05T15:06:02-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/99a6b0ac0f47d63e74121e3773a31ee5-41.html#unique-entry-id-41http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/99a6b0ac0f47d63e74121e3773a31ee5-41.html#unique-entry-id-41 by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

A team of dedicated volunteers can accomplish major goals, as evidenced by the Jefferson City Fire Museum. This fascinating time capsule of mid-Missouri fire-fighting history is the result of countless hours of volunteer labor and leadership, as well as generous donations from personal collections.

Housed in the city’s original Fire Station 2, the museum features vintage pumpers and hose carts, a 1956 fire engine, two authentic poles, vintage equipment and gear and a re-creation of the living quarters of early fire fighters. Displays with signage explain major events in the city’s and the fire department’s history.

“In 2012, the fire department celebrated 100 years of full-time professional fire service for Jefferson City,” says Capt. Steve Holtmeier of the Jefferson City Fire Department. “I was the vice-president of the Centennial celebration and volunteered to be president of the museum, which was the idea of local fire fighters.”

The city owned the limestone building, but it had been structurally modified over the years. The distinctive vertical folding wooden doors with windows had been replaced with roll-up metal doors. Using historical photos for reference, carpenters in nearby Freedom re-created the original style of doors. The goal was to restore the building as it was from 1935 to 1971.

While some volunteers were renovating the building, others were preparing the exhibits. Many of the artifacts were donated by two people. Sherl Frandsen, the city’s first woman firefighter whose father and brother were also firefighters, and Bob Wilbers, retired firefighter, had both been collecting historical memorabilia for years and were instrumental in the development of the museum.

The museum features the garage on the first floor and the living quarters on the second floor. Two authentic fire poles connect the floors. The attached four-story tower was used for high-rise fire-fighting training. The building is a Designated Landmark of the city.

Two key events shaped the city’s fire department history. In 1837, the Missouri State Capitol burned as a result of a flue fire. At the time, the city had a volunteer fire department. In 1911, the Capitol burned, again, this time after the dome was hit by lightning. In response to the 1911 fire, Sedalia and St. Charles tried to have the Capitol moved to their cities. In order to keep the Capitol in Jefferson City, the city established a full-time professional fire department in 1912.

Jefferson City Fire Museum is located at 911 East Miller Street and is open by appointment only. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome. Call 573-634-6426 or email jeffersoncityfiremuseum@gmail.com. The building can be rented for private events. The upper floor of the museum is not handicap accessible. For more information, visit Jefferson City Fire Museum on Facebook or www.firemuseumjc.com.]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2025-05-08T14:54:52-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/92e966a6fdea9e0144db0dd4b318610f-40.html#unique-entry-id-40http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/92e966a6fdea9e0144db0dd4b318610f-40.html#unique-entry-id-40 by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

It started out innocently enough for James Allen, owner and curator of Pedalers Bicycle Museum, with the impulse purchase of a 1937 girl’s bike at a swap meet in 1984. From there, the collection has mushroomed into hundreds of bicycles of all shapes and sizes, plus a collection of bicycle-related memorabilia.

The non-profit museum, which opened in 2010, is housed in an 1887 brick building in Springfield’s Commercial Street historic district. Some of the bicycles in the collection are even older than the building, with one of the oldest being an 1817 strider bike, a “walking bicycle” used by surveyors in Germany.

The Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation has called it “the best and most complete bicycle museum in Missouri, and one of the best in the country and world.”

A popular item with visitors is the 1911 bicycle built by Orville and Wilbur Wright (of Wright Brothers of aviation fame) after they stopped building aircraft. Another is a replica of the 1890s-era bicycles used by Buffalo Soldiers in the 25th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army Bicycle Corps for a trip between Missoula, Montana, and St. Louis in 1897. There’s even a 23.5-foot-long custom-built bicycle for 12, and at the opposite extreme, a unicycle with one wheel for one person.

The high-wheel or big-wheel bicycles, popular between 1877 and 1892, are among his favorites. These bikes pair one big wheel with one small wheel. The League of American Bicyclists is a national group that encourages restoring and riding antique bicycles. As a member of the state chapter, Allen has pedaled thousands of miles on a high-wheel bicycle, including a 3,270-mile cross-country journey from San Francisco to Boston in 1991.

Bicycles with equal-sized wheels were introduced in the 1890s and are mostly what we ride today. In the early days, the high-wheel bikes were called “ordinaries” and the equal-sized-wheel bikes were called “safeties,” because they were less dangerous to get on and ride than the high ones.

With some 800 bicycles in his collection and many of them in storage, Allen rotates the exhibits to display different pieces. He can spin off a story for every item in the museum, so a tour can last as long as the visitor has interest.

Among the memorabilia, there are photographs, posters, magazines, books, tools, antique beer steins and even bicycle-themed wine bottles.

Pedal on over to the Pedalers Bicycle Museum for a fascinating tour of two-wheelers through history.

Pedalers Bicycle Museum is located at 328 East Commercial Street and is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or by appointment or chance. Visitors should call 417-576-1464 to arrange group tours. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2025-02-12T16:07:39-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/f8bdba1b3a19220ed70a69f0909bb8a0-39.html#unique-entry-id-39http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/f8bdba1b3a19220ed70a69f0909bb8a0-39.html#unique-entry-id-39 by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

Hope Reed is on a mission to boost her hometown of Koshkonong. As curator of the City of Koshkonong Historical Museum, vice-president of the Oregon County Historical Society and city clerk of Koshkonong, Reed has already succeeded in branding the tiny town as the Gateway to Oregon County.

As a one-woman marketing machine, she is determined to boost attendance at the museum and bring Koshkonong new fame as the closest access to Grand Gulf State Park—if she could just convince the state or the county to pave that 3.2-mile-long gravel road that leads from the railroad track crossing in town to the entrance of the park.

Reed took on the challenge of refreshing the museum and boosting attendance first as a volunteer and now as part of her duties as city clerk. She recently moved her office to the museum, and she hopes to institute regular visiting hours soon. For now, folks can call for an appointment to tour the museum. Her dream is to make the museum the official welcome center for Oregon County, the place people will visit to begin their exploration of Grand Gulf and other county attractions.

At one point in its storied past, Koshkonong boasted a population of 3,000 and was considered as a potential site for the state capital. Today, the population is 212, but don’t be fooled by that small number. There is still plenty of local pride, which is on full display at the annual OCHS Heritage Day in October.

The museum is housed in the 1909 Christian Church building, which later served as a Masonic Lodge until the OCHS bought it in 1994. It now belongs to the City of Koshkonong, as does the nearby 1902 jail house—definitely worth a stop.

The building is packed with items from Kosh (as the locals call it) and Oregon County. One of the most intriguing is the story of the 9-foot 1-inch giant skeleton of a man that was discovered in a nearby cave, along with deteriorating, handmade giant-size furniture. There is a photocopy of a story from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat dated September 9, 1885, about the discovery. Standing beside the life-size cut-out of the giant makes a great photo op.

Other items in the museum include the original telephone switchboard and several antique telephones, a collection of hundreds of ceramic shoes, vintage clothing, the original church bell, school desks and memorabilia, an old-fashioned washing machine and much more. Kosh’s history as a major peach-producing area in the 1890s is documented.

The City of Koshkonong Historical Museum is at the corner of Luyster and School streets. Admission is free but donations are accepted. To schedule a visit, call 417-867-3260. On Facebook, look for The City of Koshkonong Historical Museum. ]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2024-11-12T15:22:06-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/a657fa8ef737af17b3d40df9962b9baa-37.html#unique-entry-id-37http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/a657fa8ef737af17b3d40df9962b9baa-37.html#unique-entry-id-37by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

If you think the only thing to do at Maramec Spring Park near St. James is to fish for trout, think again. There’s plenty to see and do to keep the entire family busy, whether they like to fish or not.

The number one attraction is Maramec Spring itself, which gushes some 96 million gallons of water a day. Feeding the fish in the spring branch is a fun activity, as is walking the paths through the trout hatchery area before heading into the park grounds to explore the remains of the iron ore furnace and related structures.

Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park, and there are several hiking trails. The Historic Drive takes you past scenic lookout points, the old Maramec Community Cemetery (1858-1882) and an open pit mine. There’s also a café, park store and campground.

For the purpose of this column, the focus is on the two museums in the park, the Maramec Museum and the Ozark Agriculture Museum, both of which are included in the park admission fee.

The Maramec Museum of Natural and Cultural History tells the story of the spring, from the Native Americans who lived alongside it through its heyday in the mid-1800s as an iron works to its current role as a 1,856-acre wildlife refuge and park. Large dioramas show how a village of 500 people grew up around the iron works and how the various structures functioned as part of a booming industry. Near the entrance, there’s a 21-foot-tall bluff with a small spring that flows into a 600-gallon aquarium. Displays show the recharge area for the spring and the water cycle. There are hands-on activities for children and a gift shop.

Fans of old-time agricultural equipment will want to visit the Ozark Agriculture Museum, a barn-like structure packed with all types of farm machinery and an assortment of farm equipment lined up outside. Be sure to note the in-ground rim shaper, which was used to make wagon wheels.

Old Iron Works Days, held annually on the second weekend in October, is a great time to visit the park. Live music, a fiddling contest, old-fashioned games and demonstrations of old-time skills and crafts are part of the festivities.

Maramec Spring Park is located on Missouri Highway 8 south of St. James. The park is owned and operated by The James Foundation, while the trout hatchery is operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Maramec Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, April through October; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March and November. The Ozark Agriculture Museum is open by request. Admission to the park is $5 per car and includes the museums. For more information, call 573-265-7387 or visit MaramecSpringPark.com. ]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2024-08-07T15:44:27-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/2771f0c55546ee6c6d6fb51769064415-36.html#unique-entry-id-36http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/2771f0c55546ee6c6d6fb51769064415-36.html#unique-entry-id-36 by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

Plenty of people have collections, and while many muse about opening a museum, only a few carry through on that idea. Nathan Pinter, a Sullivan police officer, actually did it, opening The 1944 War Museum in Washington in March. He credits lots of people, including the museum’s board of directors, with helping him make his dream a reality.

Pinter only started collecting World War II items about seven years ago, but his collection grew quickly and soon was overflowing the spare room in his home. The door of opportunity opened when Michelle Leesmann of USA Mortgage in Washington offered the spare suite next door to her High Street office to house the fledgling museum. As word spread, offers of help and donations of items began to pour in from family, friends and friends of friends.

What makes the collection so special is that so many items have a local or regional connection. Many were donated by the families of Franklin County soldiers who brought home souvenirs from their war experiences. Uniforms, guns, knives, a mess kit, medals, jewelry, newspapers, official documents, old photographs, foreign currency, telegrams—there is plenty to ponder when wandering through the exhibits. The collection is displayed according to three regions of the war effort: Europe, the Pacific and the United States.

Among the most moving artifacts are ones with personal touches, such as the trench art made by soldiers from both sides of the conflict, including drawings carved into canteens and other pieces of equipment. The wedding dress of a young soldier’s bride brings wartime romance to life. The most poignant to this visitor is the hand-pieced quilt with blocks for each soldier who enlisted from a small town in Oklahoma. There is an embroidered gold star on the squares of those who paid the ultimate price.

Some visitors might be surprised by the number of Nazi items on display, including a flag with a prominent swastika, but these were artifacts carried home as souvenirs by the victorious soldiers.

Volunteers to work at the museum are welcome, as are donations of wartime memorabilia.

The 1944 War Museum is located at 1380 High Street, Suite 6. Hours are limited and change frequently; check the museum’s Facebook page, The 1944 War Museum, each Sunday to see the coming week’s schedule as well as notice of special events. Admission is free, but contributions are appreciated. The museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and welcomes donations of World War II artifacts. For more information, email WashMo1944@gmail.com. ]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2024-05-09T20:31:19-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/65aeb5500c1907498446642ceba82b49-35.html#unique-entry-id-35http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/65aeb5500c1907498446642ceba82b49-35.html#unique-entry-id-35 by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

One man’s passion for soft-drink paraphernalia has led to the newest museum in the greater St. Louis area. The Soda Museum and Main Street Arcade opened in the historic district of St. Charles in December, showcasing the astonishing personal collection of Tom Smith, Jr. Well, actually, it features about half of Smith’s collection, which had grown to fill three warehouses and a garage before the museum became reality.

Smith’s love affair with all things soda related began when he bought a 1937 tray advertising Coca-Cola at the age of 10. The tray, which is in the museum, showed a woman in a yellow swimsuit running on a beach, holding a Coke in each hand.

Today the thousands of items in the museum include bottles, trays, vending machines, coolers, syrup cans, crates, toys, neon signs, games, wooden tubs and much more. The brands range from the familiar—Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, 7-Up, Sprite, etc.—to the less familiar: Moxie, Devil Shake, Sunburst, Goldenmoon, Five-O, Bubble Up, Kickapoo Joy Juice, Brownie Root Beer, Squirt, Rio, White Cap and others.

“It has been my lifelong dream to share my passion and extensive collection of memorabilia in St. Charles,” says Smith, museum director and lifelong resident of St. Charles. “This museum is not just about the beverages; it’s about the stories, the innovations and the memories associated with sodas that have touched lives globally.”

The museum occupies a fully renovated building that dates to 1896. It was originally a hardware store. From 1939 to 1979, it was a J.C. Penney store, then from 1980 to 2018, it was home to Gene’s Shoes. The museum displays are on the main floor, mezzanine and top floor.

The basement houses an arcade with dozens of classic games collected by Smith’s father. There are pinball machines, bowling machines, air hockey, classic video games and more. Also in the basement, there’s a refreshment area where you can buy and taste almost 100 types of bottled soft drinks and enjoy a snack.

The museum is a fizzy walk down memory lane for soda lovers. History buffs will appreciate the effervescent tale of carbonated beverages from the 1880s onward. And arcade enthusiasts will find plenty of games to pass the time.

The Soda Museum and Main Street Arcade is located at 126 North Main Street in St. Charles. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for the museum; $15 for unlimited arcade game play; or $20 for a combo ticket. The Museum of Soda History is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and accepts deductible donations of old soda items.]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2024-02-01T15:50:30-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/7d00eb9f485241b9c130acdf50c97dbc-34.html#unique-entry-id-34http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/7d00eb9f485241b9c130acdf50c97dbc-34.html#unique-entry-id-34 by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

A Route 66 landmark has been born again.

The famed Red Cedar Inn in Pacific, which lured travelers on Route 66 with its fried chicken, was a popular stop from its opening in 1934 until its closing in 2005. The City of Pacific purchased the building and, after extensive renovation, reopened it as a museum and visitor center in August of this year. It is well positioned for the upcoming Route 66 centennial in 2026.

Crossing the threshold is a bit like time traveling. On the outside, the building looks much the same as it always has—logs with chinking in between, a shady porch with rocking chairs —but the inside is bright and open, with museum display cases, neon signs, a gift shop area and much more. Remnants of the original building are incorporated, such as the wooden booths and bar counter in the side room, and a section of the original exterior wall.

The business opened in 1934 as the Red Cedar Tavern, advertising steaks, fried chicken, frog legs and fish. The two gasoline pumps in front enabled travelers to fill up their tanks when they stopped to fill up their stomachs.

In the 1940s, the name was changed to Red Cedar Inn. With the addition of an outdoor brick barbecue pit, the restaurant added barbecued ribs to the menu, served with a special Red Cedar Inn sauce. In the 1950s, according to the museum signage, “Business was so good it was difficult to make a left turn into Red Cedar traveling east.”

Then I-44 opened in the 1960s, and traffic along Route 66, or Osage Street, declined. The Red Cedar Inn went through several phases and was leased to various tenants with varying success until the third generation of the Smith family decided to take the reins in 1987. In the 1990s and early-2000s, the Red Cedar Inn was featured in Route 66 books, magazines, calendars and documentaries and was recognized as a roadside attraction by the Route 66 Caravan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. It closed on March 7, 2005.

Today you can see the original neon sign, a place setting of dishes, a uniform and cap and other Red Cedar mementoes. A time line walks you through the inn’s history.

Other museum exhibits focus on Route 66, the Meramec River watershed, the history of Pacific and the Union Pacific and Burlington Frisco railroads that run through town. A large room in the back is the children’s museum area, with lots of hands-on activities.

Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center is located at 1047 East Osage Street and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Visit PacificMissouri.com/324/Red-Cedar-Inn-Museum-Visitor-Center or call 636-271-0500 for more information.]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2023-11-10T14:19:53-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/e3ea646af4ee60f56daccc63a6c0f452-33.html#unique-entry-id-33http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/e3ea646af4ee60f56daccc63a6c0f452-33.html#unique-entry-id-33 by BARBARA OSTMANN GIBBS

All aboard!

Housed in the historic Frisco Depot in downtown Poplar Bluff, the MoArk Regional Railroad Museum features exhibits of seven different railroads—Iron Mountain, Missouri Pacific, Union Pacific, Frisco, Butler County, Cotton Belt and Amtrak—as well as an extensive model train layout. There is also a gift and hobby shop, and a model railroad repair shop.

The depot, itself, was built to replace the original Southern Missouri and Arkansas Railroad depot which was destroyed in 1927 by a tornado. Built by the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad and completed in 1928, the Spanish Colonial-style building served Poplar Bluff until the branch was abandoned in 1965. The depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

There is a lot to see on the museum grounds, too. You can explore two cabooses, a mail service car, working cross lights and a block signal, and you can take a look at the train schedule posted for December 1944.

This is the 32nd year for the non-profit museum, which has no paid staff and relies totally on volunteers who work about 2,500 hours annually to maintain the museum. Their work pays off; from July 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023, the museum welcomed 1,505 visitors from 146 cities in 26 states, the District of Columbia and Japan.

The museum sponsored its first train show and swap meet in May. It participates in the town’s Iron Horse Festival held annually in late September. Christmas trains and visits by Santa Claus highlight the holiday season at the museum.

The Amtrak station is two blocks away at 400 South Main Street in the brick Union Pacific depot, which was built in 1910 by the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway, the first railroad to come to Poplar Bluff in 1873. That railroad was succeeded by the Missouri Pacific in 1917 and the Union Pacific in 1982. Restoration of this station is ongoing. There are plans to create a Depot District that would connect the Amtrak depot with the 1928 Frisco depot housing the museum.

As you drive or walk downtown, be sure to note the three-plus miles of historic brick streets along Main and Vine, completed in 1913 following specifications established for brick streets in New York City.

MoArk Regional Railroad Museum is located at 303 South Moran Street and is open Saturdays 1-4 p.m. except during major holiday weekends. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Annual memberships are available for $12 per individual or $20 per family. The museum is east of the Black River Coliseum. For more information call 573-785-4539. For group tours, call 573-686-2241 and leave a message. ]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2023-08-08T14:37:40-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/17eedca80c9fe664c816ffd3c01a3d22-32.html#unique-entry-id-32http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/17eedca80c9fe664c816ffd3c01a3d22-32.html#unique-entry-id-32 by BARBARA GIBBS OSTMANN
The small pinkish building is tucked away on a quiet side street near the Texas County Courthouse in Houston. A second glance reveals the name under the porch eaves: The Bible Museum. The front door stands open in welcome, and there’s a key in the lock with a tiny Holy Bible dangling on the key chain.

Take the time for a stop to visit an unexpected treasure trove and experience a generous helping of hospitality from Brenda Christensen or one of the other local volunteers who help operate The Bible Museum for its founder, Pastor Terry Snelling, a Houston native.

Brenda smiles when I notice the Bible keychain, and says, “Jesus is knocking at the door.”

She is happy to answer questions—or to let visitors wander in silence. However, it is difficult to remain silent when looking at some of the displays, such as the dozens of teeny-tiny Bibles that require magnification to see the type. Those elicit exclamations of wonder.

The museum contents are part of Snelling’s personal collection of Bibles and related items that he has assembled over the years from around the world. In addition to the miniature Bibles, most from the 1800s, there are large-print volumes, braille versions and editions printed in German, Spanish, Danish, Chinese and Japanese. There’s even a Bible on 8-track tape. One of the oldest items is a framed, authenticated page from a 1589 Bible. Bible-themed jewelry includes a belt buckle, necklace and ring.

Vintage musical instruments are scattered throughout the displays and Bible quotations are stenciled on the walls. There are also photos showing the evolution of the museum from a rundown building with caved-in ceiling to the large display room packed with religious items.

The museum is surrounded by a peaceful garden with walkways, benches and inspirational quotations. Volunteers maintain the garden, which is always open to visitors.

When the not-for-profit museum opened on Easter Sunday 2017, it was the fulfillment of a dream that Snelling had held for more than 45 years. Snelling has a degree in theology and has been the pastor of a rural church in Tyrone, shared God’s word on a television show in West Plains and a radio station in Salem and worked with inmates at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking.

The Bible Museum is located at 219 Second Street at the corner of Second and Walnut streets. It is open 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, from Easter Sunday to late September or mid-October, depending on the weather. (The building is not air conditioned or heated.) Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. ]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2023-05-09T14:18:09-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/bcaf39efd5eaabcdbd55b65b7c30d1a6-31.html#unique-entry-id-31http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/bcaf39efd5eaabcdbd55b65b7c30d1a6-31.html#unique-entry-id-31 by BARBARA GIBBS OSTMANN

When you’re getting your kicks on Route 66, you might well find yourself cruising through Cuba, which proudly claims two miles of the historic Mother Road. For an interesting stop along the way, make a slight detour to the Crawford County Historical Museum, home of the Crawford County Historical Society and a treasure trove of interesting exhibits.

The museum is housed in what was originally part of the Cuba Public School complex. The 1934 rock building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was in use as a school until the 1960s. The museum covers the area’s history from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s via carefully designed displays, including hands-on areas for school children’s programs.

Naturally, there is a selection of Route 66 memorabilia, including a 1936 route map. Back in the heyday of America’s Main Street, Cuba offered a wide choice of lodgings for Route 66 travelers: Lazy Y Cabins, Red Horse Inn, Midway Rooms, Southern Hotel, Cuba Hotel and the famous Wagon Wheel Cabin Court, which has been renovated and is a popular stop for today’s Route 66 fans.

Other displays include the Native American area, focusing on the Osage tribe; a one-room school house interior, circa 1900; a gallery of wedding gowns, plus a selection of vintage undergarments; a children’s area with antique toys and bicycles; a dentist’s office circa 1920; blacksmith shop; military room; a kitchen with shelves packed full of vintage equipment and dishes; a wardrobe filled with mourning clothes; lots of quilts, hats, period clothing; and much more. As the museum likes to advertise, there are “three floors of history.”

The historical society offers a genealogy department that includes family histories, maps dating back to 1904, school yearbooks from 1923 on, cemetery books and census records from 1830, military listings for the Civil War and World War I and lists of churches, schools and businesses from 1829 to 1960. Visit the museum website for information on how to access the genealogy records.

Crawford County Historical Museum, is located at 308 North Smith Street. The museum is open late April through late November, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment. (Hours may vary, so please call to verify.) Group tours can be arranged. Donations are requested for admission. There is a small gift shop area with history books, cookbooks, locally made items, hand-carved birds, postcards, notecards and more. Books also can be ordered online. The museum is part of Recklein Commons, along with the public library, auditorium and veterans memorial. For more information, call 573-885-6099 or visit CrawfordMoMuseum.com.]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2023-02-16T14:27:12-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/ef03562d758dd004aaf25f6b25bca0f2-30.html#unique-entry-id-30http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/ef03562d758dd004aaf25f6b25bca0f2-30.html#unique-entry-id-30 by BARBARA GIBBS OSTMANN
Ozark County prides itself on being the “real Ozarks.” History and tradition play key roles in the county’s identity, as do two pristine lakes, two crystal-clear float streams, four historic mills and thousands of acres of scenic public land in the Caney Mountain Conservation Area and the Mark Twain National Forest.

Amid this bounty of riches, volunteers at the Ozark County Historium strive to preserve, cherish and share the county’s history.

The Historium, established by the not-for-profit Ozark County Genealogical and Historical Society, is housed in the former A.D. McDonald Mercantile building on the west side of the square in Gainesville, the county seat. Totally renovated from top to bottom, the 1920s-era building provides a beautiful and welcoming space for exhibits, meetings, classes and other gatherings.

Part emporium and part museum, the Historium is all about the unique culture and history of the county. Display cases around the perimeter of the room showcase artifacts from the county’s history. Quilt exhibits and other displays change seasonally. Local quilters meet there weekly to work on joint quilting projects. You can pull a chair up to the quilt frame, put on a thimble, and try your hand at making 12 stitches per inch. You could sign up for a basket-making class or stop in for a fiddling session or to hear a local old-timer talk about how things were done back in the day, such as plowing with a team of mules or turning cane sorghum into molasses.

The OCGHS, founded in 1986, purchased the building in 2010 and oversaw the renovation. In addition to the museum display cases and event space, the building houses a well-stocked genealogy library where a volunteer genealogist may help you find your roots, as well as a display area with maps, brochures and other local and regional information provided by the Ozark County Chamber of Commerce. The society has published several books and CDs about Ozark County, which are available at the Historium or from its online store. The Historium also offers locally made gift and craft items.

Ozark County Historium is located at 361 Main Street in Gainesville. It is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, or by appointment. OCGHS membership is open to anyone with an interest in Ozark County and includes a subscription to the newsletter, The Old Mill Run, and quarterly meetings. Visit the website, OzarkCountyHistory.org, Ozark County Historium on Facebook or call 417-679-2400 for more information. Upcoming holiday events include the annual Christmas pageant and parade at 6 p.m. December 16 on the Gainesville square. For more tourism information, contact the Ozark County Chamber of Commerce at Ozark County.net or 417-712-9465. ]]>info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2022-11-15T11:59:55-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/f7e614f634ec0399b6ca0d63c820a305-29.html#unique-entry-id-29http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/f7e614f634ec0399b6ca0d63c820a305-29.html#unique-entry-id-29info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2022-08-05T15:57:49-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/2dca0f752a5fcbbb7f997cecc79fb1e7-28.html#unique-entry-id-28http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/2dca0f752a5fcbbb7f997cecc79fb1e7-28.html#unique-entry-id-28info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2022-02-08T13:33:50-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/97b00b78edf8f9c6b07fc65971bad405-26.html#unique-entry-id-26http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/97b00b78edf8f9c6b07fc65971bad405-26.html#unique-entry-id-26info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2021-11-05T15:32:55-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/c4f0a039bb429a5bb6df7d7149c8975d-25.html#unique-entry-id-25http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/c4f0a039bb429a5bb6df7d7149c8975d-25.html#unique-entry-id-25info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2021-08-10T16:49:41-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/6ab2e058bace4a4c8e0c7f0467d1aa7c-24.html#unique-entry-id-24http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/6ab2e058bace4a4c8e0c7f0467d1aa7c-24.html#unique-entry-id-24info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2021-05-20T14:47:00-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/e6b873017c7a1a276f2c88f8eeae9b4e-23.html#unique-entry-id-23http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/e6b873017c7a1a276f2c88f8eeae9b4e-23.html#unique-entry-id-23info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2021-02-16T11:27:41-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/921bc826555a82896d7f88c299635da9-22.html#unique-entry-id-22http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/921bc826555a82896d7f88c299635da9-22.html#unique-entry-id-22info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2020-05-11T11:24:27-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/52f93205e84ac1a3940064962f74fe3b-21.html#unique-entry-id-21http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/52f93205e84ac1a3940064962f74fe3b-21.html#unique-entry-id-21info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2020-02-12T09:52:57-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/ce0069dc61d0fa26915d46a500c29de3-20.html#unique-entry-id-20http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/ce0069dc61d0fa26915d46a500c29de3-20.html#unique-entry-id-20info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2019-11-12T16:51:34-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/76cfc3ed418ec5c8600fd480572d3923-19.html#unique-entry-id-19http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/76cfc3ed418ec5c8600fd480572d3923-19.html#unique-entry-id-19info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2019-09-17T14:20:22-05:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/78f5b475e4dc857309e830cf974a18be-18.html#unique-entry-id-18http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/78f5b475e4dc857309e830cf974a18be-18.html#unique-entry-id-18info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2015-02-12T10:50:40-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/81cc410c2669eb3476cafa3a444c4833-17.html#unique-entry-id-17http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/81cc410c2669eb3476cafa3a444c4833-17.html#unique-entry-id-17info@showmemissouri.netREMEMBER WHEN2014-11-15T10:34:32-06:00http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/9523a3e683794928b6cefde6342d7246-16.html#unique-entry-id-16http://www.showmemissouri.net/pages/rememberwhen_files/9523a3e683794928b6cefde6342d7246-16.html#unique-entry-id-16