Scavenger Hunt of Central Missouri History begins

In this October 2020 photo, Hillcrest Cemetery is seen as one of the locations in the 2020 scavenger hunt. (Olivia Garrett/Fulton Sun photo)
In this October 2020 photo, Hillcrest Cemetery is seen as one of the locations in the 2020 scavenger hunt. (Olivia Garrett/Fulton Sun photo)

The Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society's scavenger hunt is back this year with the opportunity to submit selfies at 21 historic sites in Central Missouri for a chance to win a prize.

In honor of Missouri's Bicentennial, the Callaway County historical society has coordinated with neighboring counties to provide this selfie scavenger hunt. Anyone in Cole, Callaway, Audrain, Boone, Montgomery or Osage counties can explore Mid-Missouri history through the hunt, which highlights 21 historic sites in Central Missouri, including Jefferson City, Fulton, Columbia, Mexico and more. Destinations include historical markers, churches, schools, cemeteries, businesses and outdoor areas.

"We are excited to work with our neighboring counties and the State Historical Society of Missouri to offer this event," said Kelly Borman, scavenger hunt chair. "Last year's scavenger hunt of Callaway County landmarks for Callaway 200 was a big success and well received after many events were canceled because of COVID. We wanted to offer the same opportunity this year and expand it to celebrate Missouri's 200 years of statehood."

Until Nov. 30, participants can submit selfies at the locations for a chance to win prizes. Those who visit all 21 sites and have photos authenticated by the historical society will have their names entered into a drawing Dec. 7 for a chance to win a $200 cash prize, $100 cash prize or a gift basket. To be entered, participants need to submit selfies from all 21 locations by 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30.

Photos can be submitted by posting them on the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society and tagging #kchsmissouri2021 and #missouri2021, emailing them to [email protected], or dropping them off at 513 Court St. in Fulton. Photos can be submitted as you go along, weekly or all at once.

The hunt features four spots in Jefferson City: Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, Lewis and Clark Monument at the Lewis and Clark Trailhead Plaza, Soldier's Memorial Plaza at Lincoln University, and Clark's Hill/Norton State Historic Site.

The Jefferson City Landing State Historic Site, located at 100 Jefferson St., is a historic district maintained by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The district encompasses several state-owned properties in Jefferson City, including the Christopher Maus House, Union Hotel and Lohman's Landing Building (also known as the Jefferson Landing Building), which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

The stone Lohman Building, which was constructed in 1839 by James Crump, has been used as a grocery store, warehouse, telegraph office, tavern and hotel. Crump's business partner Charles Lohman eventually purchased all sections of the building that then became known as Lohman's Landing.

In 1855, Charles Maus built a hotel across the street, and his brother, Christopher Maus, built a small, red brick home next to the hotel. The hotel went through several name changes before being named the Union Hotel after the Civil War. The Lohman and Union Hotel buildings were used for storage, tenement lodgings and a shoe factory before being acquired by the state in 1976. The buildings were restored as the state's contribution to the nation's 1976 bicentennial celebration.

If you park near the landing, you can walk to the next location, the Lewis and Clark Monument at the Lewis and Clark Trailhead Plaza. The monument recognizes Jefferson City's connection to Lewis and Clark's historical expedition.

The monument, which is near the corner of Jefferson Street and Capitol Avenue on the Capitol grounds, overlooks the Jefferson Landing Historic Site and the Missouri River.

Dedicated June 4, 2008, the plaza includes a monument of Capts. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, York, George Druillard and Seaman the dog, all who were on the Lewis and Clark expedition. The sculpture commemorates the date of June 4, 1804, when the Corps of Discovery encamped in the area which eventually became the state capital.

The Soldier's Memorial Plaza at 820 Chestnut St. on the Lincoln University campus serves as a permanent tribute to the Lincoln University founders - the men of the 62nd and 65th Colored Infantries who served in the U.S. Civil War.

Near the end of the Civil War, this progressive-minded group of soldiers who served as "camp laborers" for union troops recognized the need for formal education and raised nearly $6,400 for a school in Missouri, their home state. The soldiers ignored racial divisions and combined their resources to secure the initial funds for what was then known as Lincoln Institute.

The Clark's Hill/Norton State Historic Site at 1816 Osage Hickory St. has been identified as a landmark on Lewis and Clark's route to explore the Louisiana Purchase territory. Clark's description of the hill helped historians pinpoint it.

Between June 1-3, 1804, the expedition camped near the base of what is now known as Clark's Hill. At that time, the Osage and Missouri rivers merged at this point. Clark ascended this hill to make observations about both rivers and noted them and the view in his journal. To get to this historic site, take Highway 50 East from Jefferson City toward Osage City and follow the signs to the site.

Some other locations featured in the hunt include: Arthur Simmons Stable, a national landmark in Audrain County; The Big Bur Oak Tree that's stood for nearly 400 years in Boone County; Fulton State Hospital, the first public mental institution west of the Mississippi River in Callaway County; Graham Cave State Park, the first archaeological site designated a National Historic Landmark in Montgomery County; and Dauphine Hotel on the Lewis & Clark Trail in Osage County.

The State Historical Society of Missouri, located at 605 Elm St. in Columbia, is one of the stops included in the hunt. A free holiday ornament will be given to participants who have visited at least 10 stops before that one and have communicated this with the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society. Free ornaments are available from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Paper instruction packets with a list and descriptions of all featured landmarks and instructions for photos are available for pickup at the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society museum, 513 Court St. in Fulton, or at callawaymohistory.org/scavenger-hunt-2021. To learn more about the scavenger hunt, call 573-642-0570 or send an email to [email protected].