Spring 2022
Following a winter with some very cold weather, restrictions because of COVID and other troubling news we look forward to new beginnings and new growth. Many of us hope to break free from both routine and self-imposed “staying home” to get out into the world.
As usual, I have done a little research to get you started on those internet explorations.
What better place to enjoy spring than in one of Missouri’s State Parks? A very nice park that is located pretty close to my home in Glasgow is Van Meter State Park near Marshall. Its website at MoStateParks.com/park/annie-and-abel-van-meter-state-park lists many of the park’s features.
The park contains the remnants of a Missourian Indian village and is home to the American Indian Cultural Center. The website (MoStateParks.com/location/55530/missouris-american-indian-cultural-center) includes a photo gallery and information on camping and special events. Of course, there are hiking trails. I have camped and have taken students there on field trips. It is a lovely park that is quiet and safe.
Not far from Van Meter is the historic village of Arrow Rock. Arrow Rock was founded in 1829 and is a National Historic Landmark. For a town with a population of 56, there is a lot going on there, as seen on its website at ArrowRock.org/about-
discover-arrow-rock. The site describes many of the attractions and is liberally illustrated with photos. The town was named after evidence of 2,000 years of natives using flint deposits to make arrowheads, knives and tools. Arrow Rock is adjoined by a state park with camping and hiking trails.
The centerpiece of the historic shops and buildings in the city is the Huston Tavern (HustonTavern.com). The tavern was established in 1834 and still serves a mighty fine meal. Many folks eat there before attending a production at the Lyceum Theatre
(LyceumTheatre.org) which offers professional quality live entertainment. Tickets for the spring season are on sale now. I have attended many performances there, and I promise you will be highly pleased.
Missouri’s great artist, George Caleb Bingham, lived in Arrow Rock with his wife, Sarah, for many years. His house still stands and can be toured. Bingham was important in Missouri politics and in art. He is buried in Kansas City. You can learn more about him at HistoricMissourians.shsmo.org/george-caleb-bingham.
Another historic Missouri small town with great charm is Blackwater, which can be found online at BlackwaterMissouri.com. Read about this railroad town located just three miles off I-70. There are lots of shops, and you can stay in the Ironhorse Hotel in renovated 1800s-style rooms. You may also want to have your photo taken at the 1890s-era jail.
Near Blackwater is Wildcliff (WildcliffEvents.com), a flooded rock quarry that now hosts weddings and special events. The site includes numerous photos of the beautiful venue. I was recently a participant in a wedding there (not my own; I’ve been married for 52 years). It was the wedding of a former student.
Visiting Missouri’s State Parks can entertain both IRL and online. Missouri has 92 State Parks and historic sites. The system was established in 1917 and totals more than 150,000 acres. Visiting them offers an opportunity to see historic buildings, Civil War history, homes of famous Missourians and much more. All 92 state parks and historic sites can be located at MoStateParks.com/page/57778/locator-map. The site is a great trip planner and is a mini-vacation in itself.
If you should see me at a play in Arrow Rock or while studying an exhibit in a state museum, be sure to say hi. That is the kind of friendliness for which we Missourians are known.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
As usual, I have done a little research to get you started on those internet explorations.
What better place to enjoy spring than in one of Missouri’s State Parks? A very nice park that is located pretty close to my home in Glasgow is Van Meter State Park near Marshall. Its website at MoStateParks.com/park/annie-and-abel-van-meter-state-park lists many of the park’s features.
The park contains the remnants of a Missourian Indian village and is home to the American Indian Cultural Center. The website (MoStateParks.com/location/55530/missouris-american-indian-cultural-center) includes a photo gallery and information on camping and special events. Of course, there are hiking trails. I have camped and have taken students there on field trips. It is a lovely park that is quiet and safe.
Not far from Van Meter is the historic village of Arrow Rock. Arrow Rock was founded in 1829 and is a National Historic Landmark. For a town with a population of 56, there is a lot going on there, as seen on its website at ArrowRock.org/about-
discover-arrow-rock. The site describes many of the attractions and is liberally illustrated with photos. The town was named after evidence of 2,000 years of natives using flint deposits to make arrowheads, knives and tools. Arrow Rock is adjoined by a state park with camping and hiking trails.
The centerpiece of the historic shops and buildings in the city is the Huston Tavern (HustonTavern.com). The tavern was established in 1834 and still serves a mighty fine meal. Many folks eat there before attending a production at the Lyceum Theatre
(LyceumTheatre.org) which offers professional quality live entertainment. Tickets for the spring season are on sale now. I have attended many performances there, and I promise you will be highly pleased.
Missouri’s great artist, George Caleb Bingham, lived in Arrow Rock with his wife, Sarah, for many years. His house still stands and can be toured. Bingham was important in Missouri politics and in art. He is buried in Kansas City. You can learn more about him at HistoricMissourians.shsmo.org/george-caleb-bingham.
Another historic Missouri small town with great charm is Blackwater, which can be found online at BlackwaterMissouri.com. Read about this railroad town located just three miles off I-70. There are lots of shops, and you can stay in the Ironhorse Hotel in renovated 1800s-style rooms. You may also want to have your photo taken at the 1890s-era jail.
Near Blackwater is Wildcliff (WildcliffEvents.com), a flooded rock quarry that now hosts weddings and special events. The site includes numerous photos of the beautiful venue. I was recently a participant in a wedding there (not my own; I’ve been married for 52 years). It was the wedding of a former student.
Visiting Missouri’s State Parks can entertain both IRL and online. Missouri has 92 State Parks and historic sites. The system was established in 1917 and totals more than 150,000 acres. Visiting them offers an opportunity to see historic buildings, Civil War history, homes of famous Missourians and much more. All 92 state parks and historic sites can be located at MoStateParks.com/page/57778/locator-map. The site is a great trip planner and is a mini-vacation in itself.
If you should see me at a play in Arrow Rock or while studying an exhibit in a state museum, be sure to say hi. That is the kind of friendliness for which we Missourians are known.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.