Clinton - Missouri
After visiting the Badlands in South Dakota in April 2014 I had stayed overnight in a hotel in the small town of Murdo South Dakota, (located roughly half way across the state on I-90) it was a 'drive until you're tired' location. I just wanted to grab a few more miles whilst the going was good and the weather was great, as the next day promised rain, rain and more rain.
I rose very early after a good nights rest and set out along I-90 looking at a fantastic sunrise that was being slowly eliminated by storm clouds, though it remained dry.
I rose very early after a good nights rest and set out along I-90 looking at a fantastic sunrise that was being slowly eliminated by storm clouds, though it remained dry.
I made the charge across I-90 to Sioux Falls in good time before turning south onto I-29 and making the long road through Sioux City Iowa, Omaha Nebraska and Kansas City Missouri before breaking off the interstate system after 1000 km. The promised rain didn't come and other than just two short showers I had a clear run arriving in Clinton Missouri by early evening.
After checking into my hotel I asked the concierge for points of interest in the area that I might view this evening, he pointed me to the town square and I was not disappointed. With the sun low in the sky casting long shadows and enhancing remaining colours it made for a beautiful shot of smalltown USA.
After checking into my hotel I asked the concierge for points of interest in the area that I might view this evening, he pointed me to the town square and I was not disappointed. With the sun low in the sky casting long shadows and enhancing remaining colours it made for a beautiful shot of smalltown USA.
Henry County Courthouse dominates the centre of the square (the largest town square in the state of Missouri) The large lawns surrounding the courthouse are the site of most of the town celebrations
Beside the courthouse is a wonderful civil war statue that gives a sense of being caught in time, almost like a photograph. It is seemingly unposed which really brings it to life and with the right angle to bring in the stars & stripes it makes for a pleasing photo itself.
On a different corner on the lawns is a bandstand and a number of picnic tables and locals out enjoying the evening sunshine, though disappointingly leaving a huge mess of take out wrappers and paper cups when they left.
What was the Henry County Bank is now a childrens theatre, constructed in 1887 it has stood the test of time very well...it looks every inch like a prop from a Bonnie & Clyde movie.
From the other side the bandstand sits perfectly against the backdrop of 1800's building and an information board that had me typing 'Whig' into google to educate myself a little further on US politics.
The town square is clearly the heart of the community here and time and money has been invested to maintain a certain look and feel to the area, these murals were tucked away in a narrow pathway between buildings.
How little it would take to transform this (temporarily) into a western town for the hollywood movie business, talking to a local guy in a coffee shop it would appear that money is tight around these parts right now and work is in short supply. It would be a real shame to see such a lovely old town fall from grace.
The chamber of commerce building was clearly a railway station at some point in its life and is incredibly similar to the Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce building which was also in the old railway station, even the colours are the same.
Just off the town square is a reconstruction of an old homestead including a fine example of a Dogtrot House (two log cabins connected by a tunnel to let breeze blow through) the tunnel became known as the 'dogtrot'
The dogtrot house was used in separate sections so one side for cooking/living and the other for private accommodation, it's a pretty nifty design idea to make the most of any cooling breeze available.
The yard has a good supply of farm machinery and a partially restored wagon tucked inside the dogtrot of the barn at the rear of the garden.
All in all Clinton Missouri is a wonderful little town, it has some other great attributes including being at the start/end of the Katy Trail which runs 240 miles between the towns of Machens on the Missouri River and Clinton. Running along the site of the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad it is a destination for many bike, hike and family day groups.
Small town USA has some wonderful secrets that they are always willing to share with inquisitive wanderers and Clinton Missouri has enough to make you return.
Small town USA has some wonderful secrets that they are always willing to share with inquisitive wanderers and Clinton Missouri has enough to make you return.