Week 8--October 13-18, 2019

On our preparation day (P-Day) on Monday, October 14, we went to Shoal Creek Living History Museum. Shoal Creek was established in 1975, and is a group of historic buildings of nineteenth century Missouri that is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Missouri's early history and architecture. It was a beautiful sunny fall day.

Hughes Cabins were built in 1825. It was found inside a large farmhouse on the site of Happy Rock Park in Gladstone, Missouri. It's three cabins built together.

This open area between the cabins is called a dog-trot where they would store their farm tools and other items of value until a barn was constructed. This is a three dog-trot cabin because there are three cabins put together with an open areas between the cabins.

 The grist mill is the only structure built on site and is a replica of an 1824 mill built by Humphrey Smith along the Platte River near the town of Smithville, Missouri, in Clay County.

 City Hall and Jail was built in Missouri City, Missouri, in 1868 and was used until 1915. It was collapsed and ruins and was gifted to Shoal Creek in 1977 where it was reconstructed.

Mt. Ararat Baptist Church was built in 1884 near Fayette, Missouri, and used until 1985 when it was moved to Shoal Creek. It stands as a proud monument to those early settlers of Howard County. Next to the church was a pioneer cemetery. There were actual headstones of Clay and Platte County settlers. The headstones were moved by court order from land being developed for KCI, North Oak Traffic way, and the Hallmark plant near Liberty, Missouri. Actual remains were moved to nearby established cemeteries with new headstones erected.

As a side note, the Hallmark plant in Liberty is the U. S. distribution hub serving Hallmark Card, Inc. The facility fills and ships orders for Hallmark retail customers throughout all of the United States. The facility also serves about 100 countries internationally.

 The Arnold house was built in 1830 by Garrard Arnold and known as "The Cedars" because of the beautiful cedars that grew near the house. It was moved to Shoal Creek in 1976 from Claycomo, Missouri. It is log underneath clapboard siding. The original logs were visible near the outside chimney on the back of the house.

The doctor's office was originally the home of Isaac Neff and was constructed sometime prior to 1885 near the community of Roosterville in Clay County, Missouri. Also pictured is the medicinal and culinary herb garden which was located at the back of the doctor's office.

 The Thornton Mansion was the original home of one Clay County's early families. Colonel John Thornton built the home in 1829 with help of slaves. It was located near the site of the Ford Motor Company in Clay County, Missouri. 

Tom next to the Thornton Mansion. 

 A shot of the Grist Mill, City Hall and Jail, and the steeple of the church.

Garnalee poses on the covered wagon.














Besides the pictures of the buildings here there was also a mercantile which had living quarters for the storekeeper and family; an inn; a carpenter shop; a blacksmith barn; and a school which was built in 1880 and used until 1952 when small rural schools were closed. We were sad that buildings weren't opened for us to walk through. They are only open on days when they have an event.

The fall colors have popped up the last few days. 

On our daily walks we have often passed this headstone. The name appears to be for Genl. S D Lucas. We decided that it might be for General Samuel D Lucas who ordered the shooting of Joseph Smith, Hyrum and several other church leaders who were arrested in Far West, Missouri, before they were taken to Liberty Jail. Garnalee did some research on the web and there was a link to Find a Grave for General Samuel Davis Lucas. She clicked on the link and this very headstone appeared on her phone. So it has been verified for us that this is his headstone. The barely legible marker says Lucas was born on July 19, 1799 and died on Feb 23, 1865.  Joseph and the other prisoners were arrested on October 31, 1838. He ordered a subordinate, Genl. Alexander Doniphan, to march the prisoners into the town square the following morning and summarily execute them. Doniphan courageously refused and reportedly stated, "It is cold blooded murder.  I will not obey your order . . . and if you execute those men, I will hold you responsible before an earthly tribunal, so help me God." That refusal saved their lives.