Historical Saint Joseph and Weston, Missouri

Exotic destinations of lush, tropical beaches or ancient castles in ancient lands dance through your head when you think of vacations. But, in a world where the economy rules our income we might need to think of brave new worlds to explore... right in our own little piece of the globe.

Before you start thinking "ROAD TRIP!" put the maps away, breathe slowly, and think of your limited vacation time. Instead of a walk-a-bout, you may need to take a fly-a-bout. But flying doesn't mean you have to miss all the little places. You simply need to think in terms of day trips from the major destinations you fly into. Some of America's greatest treasures are mere miles outside a metropolitan area. Places where the "average Joe's" live, work, and play, America...simplified.

One of these treasures isn't even buried, but waits patiently off the side of I-29 just forty seven miles north of Kansas City, MO. Saint Joseph, MO, more commonly called St. Joe is in essence completely off the vacation radar, but it shouldn't be. The people who live in St. Joseph may not even realize how special their town is. They work, play, and raise their families in a place they simply call home. But their town just oozes American History, from the home of a famous outlaw, historical architecture by some of the world's most renowned Architects, a Lover's Lane memorialized by Poet Eugene Fields, to a common stable that served as the birthplace for The Pony express.

In April, 1860 a lone horseback rider took off from Pikes Peak Stables in St. Joseph, MO carrying saddlebags of mail to be delivered between Missouri and Sacramento Calif. Known as the Pony Express, for 18 months riders rode out day and night to deliver correspondence and served as an important part in tying California to the Union. The Patee House, a magnificent, four story luxury hotel built in 1858, became the headquarters for the Pony Express. Now a museum filled with amazing pieces of Americana, such as a full sized steam locomotive and a relocated depot, sleighs, buggies, telephones, a ballroom and a model train room, the Patee House was also used as a headquarters for the Union Army.

Behind the Patee House Museum is the final home of Jesse James, one of America's most infamous criminals. Here, Jesse was killed on April 3, 1882, twenty two years to the day after the Pony Express sent out its first rider. The house was moved to the present location and operates as a museum. Saint Joseph has several museums of interest including The Glore Psychiatric Museum, Albrecht-Kemper Museum, and The Doll Museum. Another local museum of note is the extensive National Military Heritage Museum. Not only does the collection of over 20,000 artifacts and 10,000 books, magazines and articles make this a worthy place to visit, but also the main building is an important example of architecture designed by Harvey Ellis, a well known architect of the 1800's. Built as the first police department of St. Joseph, the building later served as a Marine Corps reserve training center during the Korean War.

One of the most amazing examples of Art Deco architecture is the Missouri Theater and Missouri Theater Building, designed by the Boller Brothers architects out of Kansas City. Built in 1927, the building is an exotic mix of Moorish and Art Deco styling and sculptures by Waylande Gregory, one of the most avant-garde art deco ceramic sculptors of the early twentieth century. The interior is so stupendous one finds it hard to pay attention to the theatrical presentations while studying the array of architectural and artistic pleasures surrounding them.

The sloped streets of St. Joe bring to mind cities of greater reputation in locations better known. Throughout the narrow streets and expansive parkways you will see buildings and magnificent homes that will one moment bring to mind San Francisco, another moment quaint villages in Europe or a plantation in the deep south, and the next a homestead on the plains of America. For history buffs and architect enthusiasts every corner you turn will present another "oooh" and "ahhh".

But St. Joseph has even more to offer. Perched on the cliffs above the mighty Missouri River where the ghosts of once glorious river boats seem to float by in the mist, St. Joe has an abundance of outdoor activities from cat fishing, or walking and bicycling along the 26 miles of parks, including stunning Krug Park, and multiple recreational facilities, swimming at the water park, or just kicking back to listen to an outdoor concert. Add to this a Casino for those who like to gamble a bit, and some of the nicest, down to earth people you will ever meet, St. Joseph may not only entertain you, but slyly steal a bit of your heart. This town is definitely worth the short drive from Kansas City.

Along the same drive you can turn off on Highway 273 to Weston, Missouri to experience a unique Midwest town that appears to have been cemented in time, never changing even while always mutating and re-inventing itself to survive many upheavals since its birth in 1837.

During the 1800's Weston was the second largest river port next to St. Louis. At one time the town had a population of over 5,000 but through the years of flooding, devastating fires and the Civil War, the town dwindled to about 1,000 residents. After one flood, the river was naturally diverted and ended up about two miles outside of the town, and no longer did over 300 riverboats come into the port. This little town though has dug it's teeth in and survived, and now has a wide array of historical sites and museums on top of some of the most interesting, finest shops in Missouri. Weston has become a haven for artists, writers, musicians, and fine craftsmen.

The greatest treasures of any Country are usually found along the highways outside major cities and often where least expected. To truly see or feel a place plan trips to the heart of the country...where the "Joe's" live.

Sources:
Saint Joseph Tourism
Personal Experience