F v^y ■ft 11 ^5 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 571 461 8 Conservation Resources Lig-Free® Type I Ph 8.S. Buffered LD TAVERN p 474 = fl77B5'ROW ROCK, MISSOURI Copy 1 ■ i^tw-'^r^" -^"^ "^^H*^ ., ■, . IE* "*,_^"' „*,!*« '-*^" -J-i-- •:/ ESTABLISHED ON SANTA FE TRAIL 1830 COMPILED BY J. P. BIGGS ARROW ROCK, MISSOURI 1913 THE HUGH STEPHENS PRINTING CO., JEFFERSON CITY 1807 TO HERBERT S. HADLEY, ELIZABETH GENTRY AND HOPE CASEY VAN BRUNT THIS BOOKLET IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 1913 1807 ARROW ROCK ITS HISTORY N THE YEAR 1807 a company of traders with headquarters at St. Louis, sent Capt. Geo. Sibley of St. Charles to establish a trading post within the present boundaries of Sa- line County. The site chosen after a careful survey of the country was where the town of Arrow Rock now stands. Here Capt. Sibley erected quite a substantial building of logs, a story and a half high with one door and no windows, which could be used for a trading house or converted into a fort or blockhouse. When the War of 1812 broke out Sibley returned to St. Louis and it is believed never came back to the county. Sibley's house stood on the present site of High Street, overlooking the Howard county bottom lands across the Missouri river. In the year 1811 the first ferry was estab- lished at Arrow Rock, and in 1827 we find the ferry crowded with passenger traffic to Saline county. The first settlement by white men in Saline county was made by Jesse Cox, a native of Madison county, Kentucky, just above the Arrow Rock in 1810. Here Cox "cleared a patch of ground and built a cabin." The next year he removed his family from Cooper's Fort, just across the river, and the development of Saline county began. 1913 1807 The plat of the town of Philadelphia (now Arrow Rock) was dated July 22, 1829. and filed August Tl, 1829. This plat recites that the town contained thirty-nine blocks, and Burton Lawless and John Bingham are named as pro- prietors of the town. Since that time there have been two addi- tions to the now quaint old town overlooking the Missouri river. The Santa Fe Trail led from Old Franklin through Arrow Rock westward to Santa Fe, about 900 miles. Wm. Becknell, known as the father of the Santa Fe Trail, made the first trip over the trail in 1820 and in 1822 made the first successful expedition. Arrow Rock being on the Trail, began to stir with new life and since that time has been a flourishing trading point. Many buildings of the war time period are still standing in the old town, among them being the Old Tavern that today caters to the comfort of the traveler and the motorist. The history of Arrow Rock is closely con- nected with the history and progress of Saline county and Missouri. Many of her citizens have occupied high positions in the service of both county and State. A visit to the old town carries one back to the pioneer period. Many things of interest are pointed out to the traveler, and he feels that the old town reaches from the past to the present, that she even yet echoes the call of the ox driver, the winding of the stage coach trumpet, and the honk of the motor horn. 1913 1807 DO YOU KNOW THAT ARROW ROCK Is situated on a high bluff overlooking the Mis- souri river? Is over 100 years old? Has a Tavern established in I 830? Has furnished three Governors to her State? Was the home of Geo. C. Bingham, the artist? Was once the county seat of Saline county? Has the best fresh water spring in the State? Is on the Missouri Cross-State Highway? Is on the Old Santa Fe Trail? Is on the proposed Transcontinental Highway? Has one of the Original Santa Fe Trail Markers? Is in sight of Cooper's Fort, the refuge of many early Missouri settlers? Had a cholera epidemic in 1849? Has a Methodist church built in 1850? Had a private school called McMahan Institute founded 1866? Had a school for young men called Richard Gaines School founded 1 860? Had Claiborne F. Jackson for postmaster in 1837 at a salary of $50.00 per year? Had a Methodist Conference in 1835 with Bishop Roberts presiding? Was the home of J. B. Jones, the author of "Wild Western Scenes," "The Country Merchant" and other books? 1913 1807 MISSOURI CROSS-STATE HIGHWAY Arrow Rock — Lexington ARROW ROCK, turn left around tavern. Right-hand road, turn right. Left-hand road, turn left, then right. Sign on right, turn left, swing right. Left-hand road, turn left around house. End of road, turn right, swing left. End of road, turn right. 4 corners, sign on left, turn right. End of road, turn left, cross R. R. 14.9. Brunswick St., jog left, then right. MARSHALL, courthouse on left. Benton Ave., turn right, cross R. R. End of road, turn left. End of road, turn right, then left. Right-hand road, turn right. First left-hand road, turn left. End of road, turn right. End of road, turn left, swing right. 4 corners, turn left straight to Malta Bend. Left-hand road, cemetery on right. End of road, turn right, swing left. WAVERLY, straight ahead. End of road, turn right, taking first left. 49.9 10.0 DOVER, turn left, taking first right. South St., turn right. 13th St., turn right. Main St., turn left. LEXINGTON. 1913 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 1.3 I.l 2.7 1.4 3.7 1.0 5.3 1.6 6.0 0.7 7.1 1.1 7.6 0.5 16.4 8.8 16.9 0.5 17.3 0.4 17.5 0.2 17.7 0.2 18.1 0.4 20.6 2.5 23.8 3.2 24.0 0.2 26.6 2.6 34.0 7.4 35.9 1.9 38.7 2.8 39.9 1.2 59.9 10.0 60.6 0.7 60.8 0.2 60.9 O.l 1807 OLD TAVERN DINING ROOM The cleanest, coolest place on the Missouri Cross-State Highway. 1913 1807 REST ROOM IN OLD TAVERN Established 1912 by Local Women's National Old Trails Road Association and main- tained for the cpmfprt of tourists. 1913 1807 MISSOURI CROSS-STATE HIGHWAY Arrow Rock — Columbia. 5.9 5.9 9.7 3.8 11.5 1.8 11.8 0.3 14.9 3.1 20.3 5.4 0.0 0.0 ARROW ROCK, turn right around Tavern, avoid road to right, 2.8. Turn left. Sign on far right, turn right. End of road, turn right. LAMINE, straight ahead. End of road, turn right. Right-hand road, turn right. 20.5 0.2 BOONVILLE, immediately after crossing R. R., turn left pass- ing station 20.8 to ferry over Missouri river, leaving ferry, go straight ahead to first 4 corners. 23.5 3.0 NEW FRANKLIN, turn right past P. O. Brick house on far left, turn right. End of road, turn left. Right-hand road, turn right. End of road, turn right. Left-hand road, turn left. End of road, turn right. Left-hand road, turn left. Left-hand road, turn left going straight through Rocheport 1 block where turn left along river avoiding road to left. 45.5 6.3 MIDWAY, follow main travel to west Broadway, cross R. R. 53.4. 53.6 8.1 COLUMBIA, postoffice on right. 1913 24.7 1.2 26.8 2.1 27.6 0.8 29.3 1.7 29.5 0.2 31.8 2.3 32.1 0.3 39.2 7.1 1807 REST ROOM IN THE OLD TAVERN. The Old Tavern Rest Room was established by the Local Women's National Old Trails Road Association in 1912, and is maintained by them for the interest and convenience of the tourist. The room is commodious and cool, is fitted with old-time furniture and is open day and night to all who may care to visit it. Here the tourist may tarry and refresh himself with water from the Big Spring, drunk from an old-fashioned gourd over 50 years old. Here the traveler is asked to register and view relics, handiwork, pictures and furniture of an early vintage. In this room may be seen the Headgear of Geronimo, the famous Indian Chief, the framed oil likeness of Gov. Claiborne F. Jackson, the rifle Governor Jackson carried during the war, his candlesticks, and the spur he wore during his whole military service, the sword that be- longed to W. S. Jackson, and many other relics that belong to the old families of Saline county. Here also are fine reproductions of the paintings of the famous Missouri artist, Geo. C. Bingham, as follows: "*The County Election," "The Result of the Election," "Pike's Peak," "Washington Crossing the Delaware," "Order No. II," "Palm Leaf Shade," "The Puzzled Witness," "The Jolly Flatboatmen," "John Howard Payne," "*The Stump Speaking," "Geo. C. Bingham." * Scenes of these pictures are in Arrow Rock, and por- traits are characters well known in Arrow Kock and com- munity. 1913 10 1807 REST ROOM IN THE OLD TAVERN- Continued. Adorning the walls besides the pictures and other relics mentioned are: Land grants and old deeds signed by John Quincy Adams. Bills of sale of slaves giving names, dates, descriptions, etc. The Reap Hook that cut the first crop of wheat grown in Saline county. Bingham's rifle, over 100 years old. An old Seth Thomas clock nearly 100 years old. A flax wheel that has seen much service. Old time cooking utensils. An Ox Yoke, the property of Dr. Price. Old style settees, lounges and chairs. Indian hammers, tomahawks and arrow- heads of all kinds. Daniel Boone's fiddle, given by him to a slave and afterwards given to a Saline county boy. Many other things of interest are to be found here, and it is well worth a few minutes of the traveler's time to look through this interesting place and view the handiwork of 100 years ago. 1913 1807 11 THE OLD TAVERN AT ARROW ROCK. This is one of the oldest and possibly the best preserved antebellum hostelries on the Santa Fe Trail. Built of brick in a substantial manner, and well cared for during past years, the Old Tavern does not look like it has been standing since 1830. The Tavern was built by Judge Joseph Huston in 1830 of bricks burned by his slaves on the present site of the building. Its architecture is characteristic of the early period, having old fashioned fireplaces, windows, etc. The woodwork throughout is of solid native walnut dressed by hand, and has been estimated to be worth many hundreds of dollars in itself. Many noted men have been guests at the Tavern, among them being Washington Irving, Thos. H. Benton, the Jacksons, Marmadukes and many others of equal note. Since the advent of the motor car the Old Tavern has been a place of much activity, and has become a favorite stopping place for the motorist from the city and near-by towns. Everything about the building is kept spot- lessly clean, and the management caters to the most fastidious. The hungry motorist after partaking of a meal of fried chicken, country ham, hot biscuits, garden vegetables and cold buttermilk, is sure to stop on his return trip. Special dinners at a special price may be had on sufficient notice. The traveler will make no mistake when he stops at the Old Tavern on the Santa Fe Trail. 1913 12 1807 BIG SPRING Deeded to Arrow Rock in 1 829, At Arrow Rock on Santa Fe Trail 1913 014 571 461 8 014 571 46 Conservation Resources Lig-Free® Type I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS mil mil III! nil 014 571 461 8 Conservation Resources