Geography Album: Missouri, "The Show Me State"

We received a postcard from Missouri!

St. Jo, Missouri

"Hi, from Missouri! St. Joseph is known for The Pony Express, Jesse James and the Missouri River. Many of the Pioneers crossed the river heading west."

Now that our map is filled in so much, it is pretty easy for them to find the states. We noted that Missouri is bordered by several states, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, 

Kansas and Nebraska. (No state in the U.S. touches more than eight states.)

Fur Traders Descending the Missouri, c. 1845, George Caleb Bingham

The state is named for the Missouri River, which was named after the first natives encountered by Europeans in the region. The first European settlers were the French, first French Canadians and later the French from New Orleans. It became the center of a regional fur trade with Native American tribes that extended up the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

Student coloring page says,

"Independence, Missouri was the beginning of the Oregon Trail going west."

 Part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, Missouri earned the nickname "Gateway to the West" because it served as a major departure point for expeditions and settlers heading to the West in the 19th century.

Student's state sketch

 The Lewis and Clark Expedition departed up the Missouri River in 1804 to explore the western territories to the Pacific Ocean. St. Louis was a major supply point for decades for parties of settlers heading west. The territory was admitted as a slave state in 1821 as part of the Missouri Compromise.

"I am from Missouri. You have got to show me." 

-Missouri's U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver

There are a number of stories and legends behind Missouri's state slogan, "The Show Me State."

However the slogan originated, it is now used to indicate the stalwart, conservative, non-credulous character of Missouri's residents.

Our coloring page taught us the state bird, the Eastern Bluebird,  the state flower, the Red Hawthorn 

and the state tree, the Dogwood.

(We made paper Dogwood blooms when we did North Carolina.)

Laura and Almanzo and their daughter, Rose, moved to Mansfield, Missouri in 1894. Their farm, Rocky Ridge, is now a museum.

St. Louis Toasted Ravioli

"The St. Louis style of preparing ravioli is unique and delicious. The ravioli is breaded, fried and served with marinara sauce and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese." 

Another possibility for a main dish for this state would be 'Show Me' state Cashew Chicken.

"This is Cashew Chicken in the style first served in Springfield, Missouri in the 1960's. It involves deep frying the chicken pieces in peanut oil."

We also had Green Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.

and St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake for dessert.

We have "visited" 45 states (90%) with our Postcard-Geography album.

We still need postcards for these states: 

Mississippi

New Jersey

Vermont and Wyoming.

If you live in any of these states and would like to help us with this project, please leave a comment on how I can get in touch with you. Thank you!