Missouri TV Markets and Sizes
Missouri Has a Long History of Groundbreaking TV Moments Missouri TV Markets are defined by several Designated Market Areas (DMAs), ranging from major metropolitan hubs to smaller regional markets. Based on the 2025–2026 Nielsen rankings, here are the primary TV markets located within or significantly covering the state: Shockingly, only one TV market has climbed…
The Hunter-Dawson Mansion: A Glimpse into Pre-Civil War Missouri
The Hunter-Dawson Mansion is a masterpiece of Greek Revival architecture The Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid serves as a stunning time capsule of the state’s Antebellum era. Representing the peak of 19th-century wealth and social standing, this mansion offers a rare look at the lifestyle of prominent Missourians before the onset of the…
The Missouri County That Became Its Own Sovereign Nation
The Great McDonald Territory Secession A Missouri county revolts and sets up another Civil War in Missouri. It sounds like the setup for a tall tale. But in 1961, the residents of McDonald County were so fed up with being ignored by the state government that they decided to do the unthinkable: they seceded. Yes,…
The World’s First Skyscraper: St. Louis’s Gift to the Modern Skyline
How The Red Brick Revolution Changed the World If you’ve ever looked up at the glass towers of Manhattan or Dubai and wondered where it all began, you don’t need a plane ticket—you just need a parking spot at 7th and Chestnut. That is where you will find the Wainwright Building. The Wainwright Building isn’t…
Own Your Own Deserted Town: Discover the Legend of Ongo, Missouri
A Deserted Village with a Wedding Chapel on 900 Acres for $10,500,000 Welcome to Ongo—a breathtaking 900-acre “Paradise Village” that feels less like a real estate listing and more like a hidden chapter of the American frontier. Established in 1925, back when mail arrived by horseback, this unincorporated and deserted Missouri town has been privately…
How a Missourian Became America’s Largest Landowner: Inside His 2.7 Million-Acre Empire
For the Second Time in History, A Missourian is the Largest Landowner in the U.S. In 2026, Stan Kroenke officially became the largest private landowner in the United States. That’s pretty amazing a man from the small town of Mora. After graduation from Cole Camp High School, Kroenke went to Mizzou where he earned a…
The Bloodiest 47 Acres: Visiting the “Haunted” Missouri State Penitentiary
For 168 years, the Missouri State Penitentiary was a place you’d do anything to avoid. Today, however, “The Walls” stand as one of the most compelling historical sites in the Midwest. Opened in 1836 along the banks of the Missouri River in Jefferson City, the prison was already a veteran institution by the time the…
Missouri’s 200-Year-Old Typo (That No One Wants to Fix)
Why The State Flag Has A Major Error Hidden In Plain Sight If you have ever sat through one of my “Missouri Legends” talks, you know I can get a bit… passionate. Today, I’m leaning into some (mostly) faux internet outrage because I’ve uncovered a historical glitch hiding in plain sight. I am genuinely baffled…
First Town in Missouri With Electricity
The Night Missouri Switched on the Lights: The Story of the “Electric City” When we think of the late 19th-century “Electric Revolution,” our minds usually go straight to the bustling streets of New York or the laboratories of Thomas Edison. But for Missourians, the true spark of innovation happened in a much more unexpected place:…
The Biggest Cities in Missouri 125 Years Ago
In 1900, Missouri was the 5th Most Populous State In 1900, Missouri was a powerhouse of the American Midwest. This era marked the height of the “Gilded Age” influence on the state, with St. Louis preparing to host the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympics. Kansas City was also rapidly expanding as a major rail hub.…
Best Places to Live in Missouri
The Top Towns To Call Home in the Show Me State NOTE: After getting hundreds of messages about this story, I think it’s important to point out that I have lived in over 25 places in Missouri, so I am a bit of an expert on this topic. And I can tell you that there…
The History of Soulard Mardi Gras
From a House Party to a Phenomenon While New Orleans may hold the crown, St. Louis officially stakes its claim as the second-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States. But before the corporate sponsorships and sea of beads, the festivities in the historic Soulard neighborhood began with a much humbler—and slightly more impromptu—spark. 1980:…
The Wealthiest Zip Codes in Missouri
What are the wealthiest cities in Missouri? When it comes to wealth in Missouri, the St. Louis “West County” corridor and specific enclaves in Kansas City consistently hold the top spots. In addition to the big city zips, one area of Lake of the Ozarks is also a hot spot for the rich and famous.…
Vehicles Made in Missouri: Past & Present
From Corvette to El Camino to F-150: The History of Auto Manufacturing in Missouri Missouri has a deep-rooted history in automotive manufacturing. At one point, the Show Me State ranked second only to Detroit in production volume. Back in the day, St. Louis was a total car town. It didn’t just have one “Auto Row”—it…
Division Street: The Petty Reason Behind Springfield’s Most Famous Boundary
April 4th, 1887: Springfield and North Springfield become one city. Ever wonder why Springfield’s Division Street sounds so… literal? It’s not just a random name; it’s a scar from a decades-old rivalry. Back in the day, North Springfield and the city of Springfield were two totally separate towns, and for 15 years, they acted more…
Missouri’s White House: Inside the Gilded Age Grandeur of 25 Portland Place
The Crown Jewel of St. Louis Architecture Located in the prestigious Central West End, 25 Portland Place is a crown jewel of St. Louis architecture. This Beaux-Arts mansion, often referred to as the “City’s White House,” stands as a testament to the Gilded Age grandeur that defined the city at the turn of the 20th…
Coldest Days in Missouri History
The Lowest Temperatures Ever Recorded in the Show Me State Missouri’s past is peppered with deep freezes that would make even Truman the Tiger reach for a wool scarf. In a strange twist of geographic irony, the state’s coldest day on record occurred in the same town that holds the record for the hottest: Warsaw.…
St. Louis City vs. County: The Nasty History of the 1876 Divorce
The Nasty Split — That Has Gotten Nastier Over The Years The idea of separating the city of St. Louis from St. Louis County was officially decided on August 22, 1876. Ironically, the reasons used to justify the “Great Divorce” are the same reasons many believe the two should get back together today. St. Louis…
11 Oldest Settlements in Missouri Every History Buff Needs to See
Step Back in Time: The Oldest Towns in Missouri to Visit Today Rank City Founding Date 1. Sainte Genevieve 1735 2. St. Louis 1764 3. St. Charles 1769 4. New Madrid 1778 5. Florissant 1786 6. Herculaneum 1808 7. Jackson 1814 8. Franklin 1816 9t. Boonville 1817 9t. Clarksville 1817 9t. Marthasville (La Charrette) 1817…
The Missouri Mystery: Where Did The Phrase “The Show Me State” Come From?
The Secrets Behind Our Motto There are two things you need to know about The Show Me State motto: “The Show Me State” is a long-standing nickname for Missouri. It has come to define the state’s reputation for skepticism and pragmatism, even though most people don’t know where the phrase came from. In fact, nobody…
The Slave-Owning Missourian Who Helped End Slavery
“…a slave-owning Missouri senator from a slave state was the co-author and co-sponsor of the bill that prohibited slavery in the United States.” Here is a story that changed the course of United States history, yet few people know how vital a Missourian was in making it happen. We largely recognize President Abraham Lincoln as…
Missouri’s Gilded Age Mansion on the Bluffs
Rockcliffe Mansion in Hannibal is one of the most stunning homes ever built in Missouri.
Missourians in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Yes, there are a lot of Missourians in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened its doors in Cleveland in 1986, the first class consisted of the stars who music historians considered the “best of the best.” In that class was St. Louis native Chuck Berry.…
Why Missouri Has a Bootheel
The Political Deal That Shaped the State’s Southern Border Missouri wasn’t supposed to have a bootheel. It wasn’t planned to be this way and it wasn’t included in the original maps. But a wealthy and influential landowner from the area near Caruthersville named John Hardeman Walker changed the course of Missouri history. But nobody really…
The Mormon Extermination Order in Missouri: A Tragic History
The history of Mormons in Missouri The history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Missouri is more tragic than most people realize. The Mormon Church has a large presence in Missouri today, with tens of thousands of members scattered throughout the state. But at one point in Missouri history, there was…
Historic Missouri Church For Sale
This landmark dates back a century and was the home of a future pope for a time If you are in the market for a large home — then how about a massive church? The property includes the Immaculate Conception Church and former rectory for $1.8-million. It’s between Compton Heights and Lafayette Square in what…
Missouri’s President for a Day: David Rice Atchison
Senator David Rice Atchison may have been the United States President for 24-hours. The official US records beg to differ. (Atchison) “…was on Sunday, by virtue of his office, President of the United States—for one day!” Alexandria Gazette, 1849 Long before Harry S Truman became President, Missouri did have another man that could lay claim…
St. Louis’ Most Exclusive Neighborhoods
Missouri Mansions Series Westmoreland and Portland Place are two historic private streets located in St. Louis. These streets are known for their grand mansions and affluent residents. Westmoreland Place: Westmoreland Place is a private street situated in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis. It was developed in the late 19th century as an…
Things That Happened First in Missouri
Landmark Moments By Missourians Missouri may not be one of the “first” states, but we certainly have our fair share of “Firsts.” Many things were done here first because we are located west of the Mississippi River. It may sound basic, but many firsts in Missouri happened because there was not much else west of…
Missouri’s Riverside Mansions
Missouri Mansions Series The state of Missouri and our rivers have a history that are inseparable. The waterways have been a valuable resource, but also a destructive neighbor. And the views from the bluffs are some of the most beautiful in the country. So when Missourians decide to build their homes on these hills, they…
Former Pro Teams from Missouri
Missouri has had some of the most successful professional teams of all time. But the Show Me State has also lost numerous teams over the years.
Last Chance for Christmas: Personalized Missouri Christmas Gifts – 20% Off!
Need a Unique Gift for the Missouri Lover in Your Life? You can get a boring gift from the store, or get a Missourian something just for them. I have your personalized Missouri Christmas gifts right here. All you have to do if let me know how you want them signed! Buy any 2 books…
Missouri’s Railroad Museums
Missouri has a rich railroading history. In fact, there are several railroad museums across the state that showcase that history.
The Missouri Governor Who Committed Suicide
A mental health breakdown led to the death of the young Missouri Governor Missouri Governor Thomas Reynolds was a rising star in the world of politics in the mid-1800s. He already had a distinguished career in law and politics before he became governor. But struggles with mental health took their toll as he committed suicide…
How Missouri Became More Than a Square
The Platte Purchase was so much bigger than it appears Missouri was supposed to be pretty much a square. But the bootheel and the Platte Purchase gave us the unusual shape we know today. It’s Hip To Be Square When our Founding Fathers started plotting out boundaries for states west of the Mississippi River, they…
Missouri’s Historic Resorts and Hotels
Long before Lake of the Ozarks and Branson, this is where Missourians went on vacation There are dozens of historic resorts and hotels across Missouri that are a part of our legacy. Some of them still exist today. For many of us that grew up in Missouri, family vacations meant a trip to Lake of…
Missouri’s Famous Inventions
Thousands of patents have come from Missourians, but these are some of the most famous It’s amazing how many things have been invented in Missouri. We are a relatively small state in the middle of the country with a population that also lies in about the middle. But the number of inventions that have come…
History of Lambert’s Cafe
The small Missouri restaurant that became a tourist attraction March 13th, 1942 was the opening day at the “Home of Throwed Rolls.” Lambert’s Cafe opened in Sikeston as a small cafe in southeast Missouri but expanded over the years to be more than just a restaurant. It is now a destination. Earl and Agnes Lambert…
Top 10 Biggest Cities in Missouri
Biggest Cities in Missouri by population (2024 census estimate vs 2000 census): Here are the top 10 Biggest Cities in Missouri from the most recent census numbers in 2024. As you can see, Kansas City continues to climb while St. Louis continues to shrink. Blue Springs is the fastest growing city in Missouri right now,…
Missouri License Plate history
Missouri has a long and storied history with motor vehicles. From Route 66 cutting through the Show Me State to the old Corvette plant in north St. Louis to the massive auto plants in Kansas City, we have always had a love affair with our cars. In fact, our history with autos goes so far…
The Missourian Who Was The Largest Landowner in America in 1900
Missourian John Sliker Bilby was the Land King John Sliker Bilby, Missouri’s Land Baron John Sliker Bilby was the real-life version of the John Dutton from the show Yellowstone – only bigger. Bilby was reportedly the largest landowner in America around 1900 with an estimated 1,000,000 acres spread across 15 states in the late 1800s…
Missouri’s Tower Rock Emerges
A “Once In A Lifetime” Experience, Four Years In A Row Tower Rock is one of Missouri’s most intriguing natural landmarks — steeped in history, legend, and dramatic scenery. And it is attracting tourists once again to Perry County. The rock in the middle of the Mississippi River is normally surrounded by water, jutting 60…
Missouri’s Most Famous Doctors
The Intriguing Reasons Why Missouri Is A Leader in Medicine In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the state became an unlikely cradle of medical innovation. The state produced pioneers whose ideas, practices, and discoveries helped shape American healthcare. Many of them worked out of Missouri’s frontier conditions—where necessity, experimentation, and a blend of scientific…
Dewey Defeats Truman… The Full Missouri Story
November 2nd, 1948: Missourian Harry S Truman defeats Thomas E. Dewey for the U.S. presidency. We have all seen the iconic image of Harry S Truman holding up the Chicago Tribune newspaper with the erroneous headline. But do you know the Missouri history surrounding the days leading up to the iconic image of Truman holding…
The 100 Year History of Country Club Plaza Christmas Lights
Back in 1925, a string of lights at Country Club Plaza in Kansas City was lit. That small event paved the way for a tradition that continues today. The Country Club Plaza Christmas Lights are just different. In fact, the Plaza in Kansas City is one of the most magical places in the entire state.…
Walt Disney Chooses Orlando over Missouri
November 22nd, 1963: The United States in in shock as President John F. Kennedy is shot and killed in Dallas. That was also the day that Walt Disney flew over a vacant piece of land southwest of Orlando and proclaimed, “That’s It.” That day may have also been the day that St. Louis lost an…
Gascondy: The Missouri Resort That Disappeared
The village known as Gascondy used to attract wealthy Missourians to a bluff near Belle. The historic town is now extinct.