If not for President Thomas Jefferson, there would likely not be a state of Missouri. There certainly wouldn’t be a University of Missouri as we know it. In fact, Jefferson’s impact was so profound that his original tombstone lies in the middle of the MU campus.
Jefferson was quite precise about his tombstone: a six-foot-tall granite obelisk, atop a granite base with his birth and death dates, and a plaque with a personally chosen inscription.
The tombstone was originally erected at Jefferson’s home Monticello but was moved to Columbia in 1885 and unveiled on July 4 of that year.
Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.
Photo credit: [University of Missouri Photograph Collection, P0088. 025744-3.], The State Historical Society of Missouri, Photograph Collection.
Related Posts
Missouri History Today September 27, 1975: Tigers Triumph Over Badgers With 6-Point Margin
Missouri History Today September 27, 1975: Tigers Triumph Over Badgers With 6-Point Margin
Come Mingle With Monarchs!
If you marvel at majestic monarchs, with their beautiful, bright orange and black wings, then you won't want to miss a special event on Sept. 30, 2023. Fans of these fancy fliers can flock to see them as they begin their fall migration southward.
Bennett Spring State Park Has More Than Great Fishing
Bennett Spring State Park is lovely at any time of year, but visiting in the Fall is glorious. The lodge is a rustic yet very comfortable place to stay for a few days, so you have plenty of time to take in all this State Park has to offer.
Missouri Life’s First Photo Contest!
For Missouri Life’s first-ever photo contest, we teamed up with Mpix and asked our readers to take their best shot. And wow, were we impressed. The tranquil scenes, majestic landscapes, and curious culture captured really showcased the best of the Show-Me State.