Dona Reynolds, Blog: July 2009

Throughout St. Joseph you can find many stunning sculptures, murals and mosaics as you visit our city, some of the pieces dating back to the early 1900's. 

St. Joseph has always been a city rich in history and artistic development.  Looking back on the original building and homes, shows how long art has been a part of the St. Joseph community.  From visual to performing arts the citizens of our town support and embrace the arts culture. 

 "Planting America" is a statue that features a mother, father and daughter planting an apple tree, and it is dedicated to the immigrants of St. Joseph.  This monument is a newly added addition to our community, located at Pryor Park just off of Alabama Street in South Side St. Joseph.  This was a project of the South Side Progressive Association.  The piece was created by a sculptor out of Utah, Claudia Packer who also created the statue of Chief White Cloud, another public art piece in St. Joseph five years ago. 

Immigrants Herman and Julia Fisher settled in the South Side during the 20^th Century, moving to the area from Russia.  The Catholic couple had six children who left money behind after their deaths, with $1.5 Million being left to the South Side Progressive Association for use to benefit the citizens of South St. Joseph.  The Association decided that a public art piece fit the mission perfect.  It would be a piece to reflect both the Fisher family and the immigrants of St. Joseph, beautifying the area which benefits the residents of the South End.  The Fishers at one time tended an apple orchard on their property, which is the reasoning for the design of this art piece. The dedication to immigrants came in honor of the Fishers as well as other immigrants that came to St. Joseph to work in packing houses and the Stockyards.  Landscaping and benches have been added to the viewing area as well. 

More on St Joseph

Walter Cronkite--St Joseph native--Remembered--St Joseph MO

As the nation mourns the passing of anchorman Walter Cronkite, local residents remember the St Joseph native.

Walter Cronkite was born in 1916, in St Joseph. His father Walter Cronkite Sr., and grandfather Frederick Cronkite were both dentists in St Joseph.  When Mr. Cronkite was about 6 months old his dentist father joined the military and the family temporarily relocated to Oklahoma.  At the time when Dr. Cronkite was sent overseas, young Walter and his mother moved to Kansas City where her parents lived.

Bob Slater, former managing editor of the News-Press and a retired vice president with St Joseph Light and Power, says he may have been the last St Joseph person to have an extended interview with the late Walter Cronkite about 6 years ago.  During the interview Mr. Cronkite fondly recalled visits to his grandparents home in St Joseph, the long driveway leading up to the house and the apple trees adding to the scene. 

Mr. Cronkite enjoyed getting back to St Joseph occasionally to renew his connections to the city and his family.  Mr. Cronkite remembered family trips to St Joseph and taking a trolley from Downtown toward the family home on Frederick Avenue that he loved.

In 1973, he used the Robidoux Hotel to film a television article.  When Twin Spires supporters need help in raising money in 1997 to save the church spires, Laurine McNeely called Mr. Cronkite.  The distinguished journalist donated 100 copies of his biography, "A Reporter's Life," and agreed to do a book-signing-at the former Catholic church.

Thank you to Marshall White, News-Press reporter for contributing to "St Joseph-Remembering Walter Cronkite."

More information on St Joseph

In 1986 the Krug family, a family of St. Joseph donated land to the City of St. Joseph for park development.  Originally only a portion of the land that is occupied today was given, but over time a total of 162 acres was acquired.  The beginning plans were drawn up before the depression so many things were left undone.  But still today the Krug Family legend lives on as the property serves as the largest park in St. Joseph with many attractions of its own. 

Krug Park is located on the North Side of the St. Joseph Parkway System which is 26 miles long.  The Parkway system is approximately 1500 acres of land that travels throughout St. Joseph consisting of 48 parks and other facilities.  Krug Park is one of the largest still attracting daily visitors.  It has many unique features including a pond, live animals, castle, children's play area, amphitheaterand much more.  The park also includes two tunnels that you can drive thru. 

Daily visitors go to Krug Park to feed the ducks and fish that sit at the entrance of the park.  Years ago paddle boats were available for rides around the pond.  Today the pond serves more for viewing purposes, but some events do take place throughout the year such as the city's largest fishing contest.

The "castle" is a building that sits to the left of the main entrance.  The large stone and brick structure was originally built in 1922 for the purpose of becoming a restaurant but that never happened.  Today it is open to the public in which lots of people use for birthday parties and family reunions.  The children's play area sits directly behind the castle and includes swings, slides, merry go round and teeter totters. 

Years ago the park also included a zoo typesetting, housing many animals for public viewing, including bears, llamas and much more.  Over time it became too hard for the parks department to service and house these animals, also for protection of its visitors they did away with this feature.  Today the Native Animal Exhibit is housed at the park, this exhibit includes animals that were born and lived in the Missouri area.  Living at the park today are Bison, Long Horned Cattle, White Tailed Deer and Donkey's.  These animals are available for the public to view, there is no staff on site, but they are caged and taken care of daily.

The amphitheater at the park was originally built for concerts and entertainment purposes, including a large stage and theater style seating.  Today it is used for the same purpose, but is also available for public use and rental.  Many wedding ceremonies have taken place in this area as well as fundraisers.  This area also includes grass areas and flower gardens.

Krug Park is also known as Holiday Park beginning the week following Thanksgiving through January 1 of each year.   The park transforms from its regular look to a lighted palace.  From top to bottom lights are hung and exhibits are moved in, it is a holiday lover's dream.  Admission is free to drive through the park.  The St. Joseph Optimist Club accepts donations for up keep of exhibits and new additions.         Each year during this time the parks sees more than 100,000 visitors.

A new addition to the park is the Mountain Bike Trails.  It is a five-plus trail system that is hard-packed and single-tracked winding over hills in the northwestern portion of the park.  There are some steep portions but is ideal for riders of all levels.  It is a great afternoon getaway right here in Northwest Missouri for those interested in Mountain Biking.

As you can tell, Krug Park is a vacation within itself.  Whether you feel like taking a nice walk thru the park, bike the trails, taking your children to feed the fish and ducks, or just a drive thru to honk your horn as driving thru the tunnels under the castle, there is something that everyone will love.   The beautiful view and atmosphere is absolutely breathtaking. 

St Joseph Parks Deptartment

additional information on St Joseph

WOW, What an attractive building!  As you enter the doors of the National Military Heritage Museum you soak up more than just the history of our military services. 

The large, brick structure speaks for itself when it comes to its beautiful appearance, but visitors can't help but be suspicious of the long-lived history of the building as they walk through and view exhibits. 

This building has been undergoing renovation and improvements for the past 20 years, with improvements still being made today. 

The Museum is housed in the E.J. Eckel/Harvey Ellis designed brick building that was build in 1890 as the City of St. Joseph's first Police Station.  The National Military Heritage Museum serves as a tribute branches of the armed forces from 1800 to present,to all.   The Museum is located at 701 Messanie and is open Monday thru Friday from 9am-5pm and Saturday from 9am to noon.  Admission is $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for students, the museum also offers personal and group tours.  If you would like more information on the museum you can visit here.

In 1890 when the building was built it was by E.J. Eckel in less than 90 days.  Eckel built many of the beautiful structures in the St. Joseph area. 

The building was designed by a well known designer Harvey Ellis.  Ellis also built the 1^st ever skyscraper in the United States (Minneapolis), City Hall and the Train Station in St. Louis, the German Bank on the corner 7^th Street and the Tootle Mansion on Hall Street in St. Joseph, and many more well known properties.  

In 1989 a committee was joined with the mission and purpose of preserving military heritage of the United States Armed Forces and those who served on the home front!  Their goal was to obtain 501C3 Not-for-Profit status and to become a museum housing exhibits showing the history of military service abroad and at home both during war and between wars.  With short turn around the committee was successful and the current property was purchased in 1989. 

Visit other things to do in St Joseph

Parents and Grandparents lined the streets today for the 4th of July Kids Parade in St Joseph.

The kids rode bikes, scooters, big wheels and several were pulled in wagons or walked, in celebration of the 4th of July. 

Many were dressed for the occasion while others carried flags. 

One thing is for certain everyone in attendance had a fun morning!

The Kids Tour of St Joseph is a series of three fun rides for ages 3 to 14.

The mission is to promote cycling as a recreational fitness activity while at the same time introducing kids to organized cycling events.    Kids are welcome to participate in single rides or all three rides. 

For the 2009 series, the St Joseph Local Organizing Committee of the Tour of Missouri is organizing the event as a prelude to the Tour of Missouri Stage Six Finish taking place on September 12,2009 in St Joseph, which is also the date of the final ride for the Kids Tour of St Joseph. 

Kids Tour of St Joseph could become an annual event with an increased number of ride dates and locations throughout St. Joseph's beautiful parkway system.

2009 Kids Tour of St. Joseph

      Stage 1 - July 11^th at Hyde Park (registration begins at 9:00AM, Rides start at 10:00AM)

     Stage 2 - August 15^that Krug Park -Upper Parking lots (registration begins at 9:00AM, Rides start at 10:00AM)

     Final Stage - September 12^th at Civic Center Park (registration begins at Noon, Rides start at 1:00PM - Tentative)

     Open to kids ages 3 to 14

     Participation is free

     Awards given to all participants

     Snacks provided to all participants

     Bike and Helmet required

     Parent or Guardian must be present to sign registration and waiver

     Drawings for prizes

For more information contact the City of St. Joseph at (816) 271-4671

This is where you can find other events offered in St Joseph Mo