Everyone knew everyone … it was a small, friendly town Liberty, Missouri was a small town in the 1950s. Everyone knew everyone, doors weren’t locked, and you said hello to strangers if you passed on the sidewalk. A friendly town of less than 45,000 people. Published in the Gladstone News – Thursday, March 27, 1958. …
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Old Clay County Revisited
A recent donation to the Museum yielded not only valuable information on the donor’s ancestors, but an undated (about 1935) clipping from The Daily Standard. The title “Tom Holt Relives Early Days In Clay County In Interview” was an eye-catcher and I thought I’d share. “Born in Clay County Night After Family Arrived From North …
1922 Liberty Christian Church History
From the Methodist Episcopal Church South Liberty, Missouri 1922-23 booklet: “Historical Sketch of the Local Church.” “The Liberty Methodist Church had a feeble beginning. As early as 1822 Liberty is mentioned as preaching point on the Fishing River Circuit. The Church was at different times a part of the Fishing River, Lexington, Richmond and Weston …
Festivals – by any Name
September kicks off the Fall Festival season in Missouri. This weekend, Liberty and Excelsior Springs will each host festivals. The Liberty Fall Festival is celebrating its 44th year while the parade and activities have changed with the times. Excelsior Springs features “Mug Shots,” a sampling of the finest craft beers the city has to offer …
The County Home – “Robertson Station”
History is all around us in Liberty. From the fine homes that have been restored to books recounting historical events. Jesse James, Carrie Nation and Alexander Doniphan all are well known figures of our past. The county courthouses and the Liberty Arsenal are well documented buildings. But there are lesser-known events and institutions that, while …
Gallatin Township Land Grants, Now Staley Farms
The “Staley” Behind “Staley Farms” and all things that today carry that name The history of Staley Farms began with John Horace Staley. Born in 1873 in Willard, Greene County, Missouri. Mr. Staley had been involved in banking in Springfield prior to moving to Carthage where he became mayor. While living in Carthage, he became interested …
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Christmas Presents Under the Tree
It’s happening… the rush to Christmas is on! I cherish memories of my childhood as I struggle with the commercialization of most if not all of our current holidays. Traditions may have gone but those memories linger and dance like the long-ago sugar plums, in my head. As children, the excitement of Christmas pageants, Santa …
Just Fiddlin’ Around
One of the more interesting artifacts in the Museum is a 1936 violin, hand crafted from materials salvaged from the 1859 Clay County courthouse. This, the second courthouse in Clay County, was razed in 1934 to be replaced by a WPA project, with the county’s current edifice. Originally, court was conducted in the Owen’s Tavern, …
The Early Clay Countians
The Clay County Bicentennial is a great time to look at how far we’ve come, but also to look at individuals who have left their legacy in in our rich history. Not just by their actions during their life, but in writing down their stories. The Clay County Museum is fortunate to have had many …
Homemade Chili – 10¢
One of the perks of doing an inventory is finding treasures from local people talking about “ye olden days.” This letter isn’t that old… to me, 1977. It was sent to the Museum by Hazel Henry of Jim Henry’s Restaurant. Here is how she broke the news to her patrons: “September 1, 1977. Dear Friends: …