Preserving the Disappearing Memory of Missouri’s Little Tuskegee

In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that separate-but-equal facilities like schools were unconstitutional. This led to the closure of the school perched on the hillside in Dalton. After the 1956 school year, active Dalton students attended now-integrated schools in their hometowns.
Now seemed like a great time to gather memories of Dalton Vocational School from the shrinking pool of aging alumni. This podcast tells the story of Dalton Vocational School—Missouri's "Little Tuskegee"—in the former students' own words. 


Henry Blosser House and Barn photo slideshow

The Henry Blosser House and Barn near Malta Bend had been abandoned and neglected for years when new owners Dr. Art and Carolyn Elman stepped in to preserve these architectural treasures. The project, led by acclaimed interior designer Kelee Katillac, took years of painstaking effort by a team of preservation experts. The result is a masterpiece where conscientious conservation and spectacular design intersect.


Missourians Survive Y2K Scare

On January 1, 2000, Missourians survived the Y2K (Year 2000) scare. Millions of anxious people around the state waited to see if electronics would shut down at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2000.


Basket of red apples

December 9, 1897

The Lebanon Rustic Republican reported that President William McKinley had received a barrel of big red apples from Absalom Nelson of Lebanon.


Image from inside an old one-room school house.

November 29, 1918

This date in Missouri history: They had a pie supper at the Perkins School in Manes, Mo. The 21-year-old teacher, Joe Todd, was shot clean through. There was no suspect; the teacher recovered.


Washington University flag

November 23, 1791

Philanthropist John O’Fallon was born on this day.  He established the O’Fallon Institute which is now Washington University. 


The first edition of the Stars and Stripes newspaper

Relics: Stars and Stripes Museum and Library

Since the first Stars and Stripes was printed in Bloomfield in 1861, the Department of Defense designated Bloomfield as the birthplace of the Stars and Stripes newspaper. The Missouri Stars and Stripes was printed only once during the Civil War. It wouldn’t see publication again until World War I, when it was an eight-page weekly. Publication stopped after WWI, then for the first nine months of World War II, it was restarted.


Woman riding horse and carrying flag on the beach

November 9, 1861

The Stars and Stripes, the famous newspaper for those serving in the military had been printed the night before and was distributed on this day for the first time.


Visit The Corn Cob Pipe Capital

Washington, Missouri, offers museums, restaurants, antique stores, and of course, Missouri Meerschaum Company.