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.
Driving the “Genius Highway”
The Amazing History of Highway 36 in Northern Missouri It’s called the “Genius Highway” — and for good reason. Highway 36 across the northern part of Missouri is one of many great road trips across the state of Missouri to see our legendary people and places. The highway goes from Hannibal on the east to…
Missouri’s Most Unusual Homes
Missouri Mansions Series There are some homes in Missouri that you truly have to see to believe. Yes, it’s just another reason we call it the Show Me State. And it’s the reason why we put together our Missouri Mansions Series. These unusual homes offer more than just a place to live. They provide a…
Best Places For High School Football in Missouri
Friday Night Lights in Show Me State are special. These are the best places for High School Football in Missouri
Vouziers Estate: A Glimpse into Missouri’s Gilded Age
Missouri Mansions Series Slideshow images are courtesy of The Charles Trefts Collection at The State Historical Society of Missouri. The Desloge Dynasty The story of the Desloge family is one of extraordinary wealth, industrial power, political intrigue, and high society. And it is all set in Missouri. The business aspect of their story includes lead…
Carter Mansion in Carthage
Missouri Mansions Series The Carter Mansion in Carthage is a striking Victorian‑style estate built between 1893 and 1896 by Dr. John Addison Carter. Dr. Carter was a Civil War veteran and influential local physician and landowner. The home is easily recognizable because it is often pictured alongside its companion building, the “Carriage House”. History of…
Historic Mansions in Missouri
People are often surprised at the number of historic mansions in Missouri. These massive estates rival mansions anywhere in America. Why So Many Mansions in Missouri There are several reasons for the significant amount of wealth in the early years of our state. Beer barons, railroad magnates, banking executives, and manufacturing leaders all came to…
Brief History of Kimmswick
Discover the captivating history of Kimmswick, Missouri. A 19th-century river town that rose, fell, and revived into one of Missouri’s most charming historic gems.
Best Waterfront Restaurants in Missouri – 2025
Missouri is home to some of the best restaurants in the most beautiful locations. We scoured the state, talked with food writers, and checked restaurant rankings from across the web to come up with our “Best Waterfront Restaurants in Missouri” list for 2025. We did our best to find the iconic restaurants in all parts…
Brief History of Independence
Independence, Missouri, holds a significant place in American history, particularly in relation to westward expansion, the Oregon Trail, and the Mormon migration. It stated as a small outpost on the western frontier and grew to be Missouri’s 5th largest city. It is also the county seat of Jackson County and is seeing significant growth in…
Brief History of Joplin
Joplin, Missouri, is a city in the southwestern part of the state with a rich history tied to mining, transportation, and resilience. Here’s the brief history of Joplin: Early History Growth and Prosperity Challenges and Resilience Modern Joplin Today, Joplin is a vibrant community that honors its past while continuing to grow and adapt. We…
Brief History of Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is a city with a rich history. It is the economic hub of southeast Missouri due to it’s location along major highways and the Mississippi River. It is also the educational center thanks to the impact of Southeast Missouri State University. Early History of Cape Girardeau The area that became Cape Girardeau…
Explore the Missouri State Capitol: A Tour of History
The Magnificent State Capitol on the banks of the Missouri River There are some tours that you want to do by yourself and others that are done best with guidance. When it comes to the tour of the Missouri State Capitol, the latter certainly is better. And when it comes to Missouri State Capitol history,…
This Day in Missouri Baseball History: Royals Up to Bat
April 8th, 1969: The Kansas City Royals played their first-ever game. This day marked a significant moment for Kansas City which had been without a major league baseball team for two years after the Athletics moved to Oakland in 1967. The departure of the Athletics left Kansas City longing for a team to root for,…
Brief History of Branson
On April 1, 1912 the City of Branson was incorporated in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. It has a rich history that has shaped its identity as a popular tourist destination. Here is the brief history of Branson. Early Inhabitants The area that would become Branson was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including…
Brief History of St. Joseph, Missouri
Much of what we think of as the “Wild West” traces its origins to St. Joseph. When you think of westward expansion, cattle drives, the Pony Express, and the open frontier—pretty much all of that began along Missouri’s western border. But there is much more to this western Missouri town than many realize. Here is…
Pro Baseball Players from Missouri in 2024
Missouri knows baseball. In fact, many of the biggest moments in the history of Major League Baseball have connections to the Show Me State. From the I-70 Series to the 1944 All St. Louis World Series and even the amazing history of the Negro Leagues, hundreds of Missourians have played in the MLB and our…
Route 66 History in Missouri
March 15, 1931: Celebrations in Missouri as the final section of Route 66 is paved. It was a big party in downtown Rolla as an estimated 8,000 people turned out to commemorate the completion of Route 66 across Missouri. The “Mother Road” dates back to 1922 as Route 14, but it was more of a…
Brief History of Arrow Rock
1829 Philadelphia (Arrow Rock) Established Long before Missouri was a state, a landmark along the Missouri River known as Arrow Rock was a guide for generations of Native Americans and early European explorers. The central Missouri area was a stopping point known as Boone’s Lick country because of a salt spring right across the river…
The First Female Mayor in Missouri
1921: The citizens of St. James elect the first female mayor in the state. Two years after women in Missouri were finally allowed to vote, the first female mayor in Missouri history was elected in St. James. Mayme Ousley was born in nearby Edgar Springs and went to high school in Rolla where she graduated…
Brief History of Springfield, Missouri
1838: The “Queen City of the Ozarks” Started Small Springfield began as a small town in the southwestern part of the state but has grown to be the third largest city in Missouri. And it’s still growing. Prior to the founding of the city, Native American tribes including the Kickapoo, Osage, and Lenape had inhabited…
Brief History of Jefferson City
How Jefferson City Became the State Capital Jefferson City is the first and only city “created” to be the seat of government in United States history. Jefferson City was not even a town when the site was chosen to be the State Capital leading up to Missouri’s statehood. The area along the Missouri River was…
The Namesake for Raytown
January 18, 1808: William Ray is born. The name of William Ray may not be recognizable to most people, although the bustling town on the outskirts of Kansas City that was named in his honor sure is. Ray moved to Jackson County from Ohio to open a blacksmith shop along the Santa Fe Trail. He…
Sara Evans Hits #1
January 17, 2001: “Born to Fly” hits number one for Sara Evans. Sara Evans was on top of the charts and on top of the world back in 2001. The former Columbia residents and central Missouri native hit number one for the first time with the song, “Born to Fly,” which also earned Evans her…
Brief History of St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. Here’s a brief overview of the history of St. Louis. Early History The area where St. Louis is located was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Mississippian culture, prior to European exploration. In 1673, French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette reached…
Brief History of University of Missouri-Columbia
The Flagship Campus of the University of Missouri System The University of Missouri, located in Columbia, commonly known as Mizzou, is the flagship campus of the University of Missouri System. Here’s a brief history of the University of Missouri-Columbia: Founding and Early Years (1839-1860): The University of Missouri was founded in 1839, making it the…
Grant Wistrom Wins Lombardi Award
On December 11, 1997, Grant Wistrom wins the Lombardi Award as the nation’s top collegiate lineman. The Webb City native played college football at Nebraska from 1994 – 1997 where h won three national championships before being drafted 6th overall by the St. Louis Rams in 1998. He also won two state championships in high…
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
December 11, 1933: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art opened in Kansas City 2023 Marked the 90th anniversary of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art which helped put the Kansas City arts scene on the international map when it opened. It is recognized for the iconic badminton shuttlecocks on the lawn and loved by people around the…
Mizzou v. Illinois: Braggin’ Rights
December 10, 1980: The first Braggin’ Rights basketball game. The first Braggin’ Rights game was held in St. Louis between the Mizzou Tigers and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. Although the teams have a rivalry dating back to 1932, things escalated a notch when the annual match-up moved to a neutral site midway between…
History: Branson Appears on 60 Minutes
On December 8, 1991, 60 Minutes put Branson in the national spotlight. “If are wondering ‘why Branson? ‘no one knows why.“ -60 Minutes Branson got national attention after a profile about the city called “The Sound of Music.” The CBS News program profiled the small town in the Missouri Ozark Mountains and explained to Americans…
Most Expensive Colleges in Missouri
There are 67 colleges or universities in the state of Missouri. Many are 4-year public institutions, while a smaller number are 2-year programs or private colleges. Missouri boasts the first college west of the Mississippi River in St. Louis University as well as some of the earliest medical and law schools in the country. We…
David Eckstein One-On-One
St. Louis Cardinals legend David Eckstein has one of the most amazing stories of any athlete you will ever meet. He performance in the 2006 World Series won him an MVP and made him a Missouri Legend. David and his wife, Ashley, are good friends of my family. So we did the coolest interview I’ve…
Hall Brook Farms
Missouri Mansions Series The Hall Brook Farms mansion east of Joplin is one of the biggest homes in the state of Missouri. It boasts more than 16,000 square feet, but the size is just the beginning of this amazing home. When the home was originally built, it sat on more than 200 acres with a…
Why Missouri is the “Cave State”
There are over 7,500 caves within Missouri, according to the Department of Natural Resources, giving us the moniker of “the Cave State.” This number makes Missouri one of the most cave-rich states in the United States. An estimated 6,000 of these have been explored, although many of these are on private property or too small…
Most Haunted Places in Missouri
Some people believe in ghosts, others are skeptical. So finding the most haunted places in Missouri can be a difficult task, because believers of the paranormal believe they know where the most haunted places are while others will say there are NO haunted locations. So the best way to go about ranking haunted sites is…
Supermodels from Missouri
When it comes to fashion, most people don’t immediately think about the Show Me State. But when you look at Missouri’s history, you soon realize we have an high number of fashion icons from here. Here’s how I came to this realization. I was researching a recent story about the old garment district in downtown…
Missouri’s Best High Schools for Sports
Here are Missouri’s Best High Schools for Sports in 2023-24, based on data from Niche. The rankings include a number of factors, including: School City Classification 1. CBC – Christian Brothers College High School Town and Country Private-Boys 1. CBC – Christian Brothers College High School Frontenac Private-Girls 3. Rockhurst High School Kansas City Private-Boys…
Missouri Towns Under the Lakes
Missouri’s lakes are some of the most beautiful in the world. But beneath the calm waters are dozens of Missouri towns under the lakes.
Best High Schools In Missouri
A news ranking by U.S. News and World Report shows the best high schools in Missouri in 2023. They actually rank the entire country, but these are the ranking broken down by the Show Me State. Schools were evaluated and ranked based on a variety of criteria, including standardized test scores, parent and student surveys,…
Strange Names of Towns in Missouri
We certainly have some strange names of towns in Missouri! You can always tell when someone new moves to the Show Me State because they pronounce everything wrong. Take for example: But in addition to those names, there sure are some strange names of towns in Missouri, as well! Here are a few of the…
Oldest Counties in Missouri
Top 10 Oldest Counties in Missouri Top 10 Oldest Counties in Missouri(Note: The Top 5 were the Original 5 Counties in Missouri) County Date New Madrid County 1812 Cape Girardeau County 1812 Saint Charles County 1812 Saint Louis County 1812 Ste. Genevieve County 1812 Washington County 1813 Howard County 1816 Franklin County 1818 Wayne County…
Tallest Skyscrapers in Missouri
A list of the tallest skyscrapers in the state of Missouri Note: The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is 630 ft tall
Top 10 Biggest Counties in Missouri (by size)
A list of the biggest counties (by size) in the state of Missouri.
Top 10 Counties for Median Income in Missouri
The top counties in Missouri for median income are clustered around our major metro areas.
Top 10 Least Populated Counties in Missouri
A list of the least populated Missouri counties. Many of these are in northern Missouri, where population has been dwindling.
Oldest Counties in Missouri
The oldest counties in Missouri are generally those that were established when Missouri was still part of the Louisiana Territory before it became a state. In fact, all 13 counties listed below are all older than the state of Missouri itself. Here are the oldest counties in Missouri and their respective years of establishment. (Note: …