Even though there are no tribes left in Missouri today, the state is actually named after a tribe of early Indians, called the Missouris. (The Indian word missouri is translated to: “town of the large canoes.”) Of course, there were other tribes living there in 1673 when Louis Joliet and Father Jacque Marquette began their exploration, including the Delawares and the Kansas tribe.
While it was French settlers that influenced the formation of early Missouri society, it was the rich land and its natural resources, including lead mining (which has indeed remained crucial to the nation, as its source of 90% of non-recycled lead supply) and the fur trade, that were all important to the state’s early economic development. Nowadays, Missouri is a leader in automobile manufacturing as well as in defense and aerospace technology, with food processing the state’s fastest-growing industry and tourism a strong economic force.
There are many historically interesting sites in Missouri, and they range from places like Fort Davidson, where the Battle of Pilot Knob took place in 1864, and The Battle of Lexington Historic Site, to the log house belonging to Daniel Boone’s son, Nathan. One of the four remaining covered bridges in the state can be seen at the Bollinger Grist Mill, while the St. Louis Union Station is the world’s largest train station. A national historic landmark, Union Station was restored in 1985 and now contains a multitude of shops, restaurants and a world-class hotel. The small state capital, Jefferson City, is home to Lincoln University, founded in 1866 for the special benefit of freed African Americans.
Of the cities in Missouri, the largest is Kansas followed by Saint Louis, Springfield and Independence. Missouri real estate covers highly varied geography, running from superb heritage homes in developed urban areas to working farms and ranches, and spreading all the way from the Great Plans to the thousand-mile shoreline of The Lake of the Ozarks, and it is all as rich in history and culture as the state itself. Cavers flock to Missouri (also known as “The Cave State”) to enjoy exploring its more than 6,000 recorded caves.
Although Missouri real estate appeals to Civil War history buffs and outdoorsmen equally, there are other attractions throughout the state as well, including the lavish country-music shows held in Branson; Mark Twain’s childhood home in Hannibal (in the northeast, and on the Mississippi River of course); and the Pony Express museum in St. Joseph.
As for the reason behind Missouri’s common “Show-Me” slogan–unofficial, of course, but used on license plates–apparently it goes directly to the character of Missourians. You’ll have to figure out the rest on your own.
REMAX Missouri (http://remax-missouri.com) is a real estate brokerage specializing in Missouri real estate. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
[tags]Missouri real estate[/tags]
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