Kansas City, Missouri, USA

It looks a little too modern to be historical, but better than nothing to proclaim pride in city history. Some cities do a good job at preserving buildings. Others excel at preserving ensembles of buildings and landmarks that add up to historical landscapes. [2021]

Columbia, Missouri, USA

Make art a part of the world you live in. As long as your mailbox abides by certain federal regulations, you can add on what you wish. So, make it yours. Make it reflect the character of the people who live under your roof. Make it reflect you! [2015]

Jamesport, Missouri, USA

The first Coca-Cola mural goes back to 1894 in . . . you guessed it! . . Georgia, not far from Atlanta. After that, corporate murals became one of the preferred methods to advertise the "delicious and refreshing drink." The total number of murals has been estimated at 16,000. P.S.: Thanks, Coke, for pulling out of Russia! [2008]

Tipton, Missouri, USA

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! A billiard ball towering above a Dutch bakery: That makes sense since billiards was brought to America by the Dutch. But the water tower was inspired by the town's economic base: The Fischer Manufacturing Co. built billiard tables. Be sure to see tomorrow's post. [2015]

Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Most murals are at street level and so in-your-face. Here's one that can't even be seen from the coffee shop over which it presides. Its message is subliminal: If you catch it while driving by, perhaps you will consider a trip to the Kansas City Zoo. [2021]

Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Electric scooters have become common sights on city streets across the country. Compare the footprint of the electric scooters seen here with the footprint of the full-size automobiles across the street. Which mode of transit is more space consuming? more energy efficient? more calorie consumptive? more climate neutral? more winter worthy? [2021]

Tarkio, Missouri, USA

Whether you are trying to sell gasoline or chicken, it's all about attracting attention. Enter: fiberglass animals. The Sinclair brontosaurus may have started the trend, but Dino and Foghorn Leghorn by no means exhaust all the possibilities. Go to any city, and you you are likely to see horses, cows, and dogs with roots in the dinosaur age of the 1960s. [2019]

Jefferson City, Missouri, USA

Even casual visitors can participate in the Jefferson City arts scene just by completing this statement: "I am...."  My words, however, were added to the "blanceaux" only after I took the picture: "I am from Virginia," said I. And, then, I drew a map of the state while thinking: This city ought to be the capital of Virginia, but I guess we didn't buy that domain name. [2015]

Rock Port, Missouri, USA

Don't call them windmills. Call them wind turbines. They are all over the Midwest. But, here in  Missouri you will find them only in the northwest corner. If your eyes are sharp, you can see that this is but one of many turbines in a huge wind farm. Today, a whopping 7% of U.S. electricity is generated by the wind. [2019]

Buffalo, Missouri, USA

Halloween approaches. Just look around: There are reminders everywhere. There might even be someone hanging around your own city hall who has been victimized by the season. [1987]

Jefferson City, Missouri, USA

August 10, 1821: That was the day when Missouri  was admitted to the Union. Happy Birthday, Show-Me State. It's only four more years til your bicentennial! Jefferson City will celebrate 200 years of capital-hood then, as well. In front of the capitol: the moving Vietnam Memorial Wall. [2015]

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

The U.S. Supreme Court has made some bad decisions over the years, but the Dred Scott decision in 1857 was the absolute worst. Wouldn't those nine Justices be surprised to know that their names are buried in footnotes, while Dred Scott, and his wife Harriet, have a place of honor in America's heart and heartland: something to remember on MLK Day. [2015]

Cuba, Missouri, USA

With the growing popularity of the automobile, Burma-Shave signs began to appear along America's highways. The first jingles were about the shaving cream, but other themes, like family bonding, soon began to appear. From 1932:
     You'll Love Your Wife
     You'll Love Her Paw
     You'll Even Love
     Your Mother-in-Law
     If You Use
     Burma-Shave
[2015]

Jefferson City, Missouri, USA

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, with its 58,307 names, stands on the Mall in Washington, D.C. In addition, several replicas (like this one) move from community to community to make it possible for everyone to participate in the experience of honoring those who gave their lives in the Vietnam War. [2015]

Columbia, Missouri, USA

Boone County Courthouse: The United States has 3,144 counties and county equivalents. The administrative hub of each is a courthouse. Memorials to the war dead are found on the grounds of most. Here, tablets of names honor the dead of the Civil War and the World War 1917-1918. [2015]

Fulton, Missouri, USA

Golden rod suggests something of an etymological problem. All species belong to the genus Solidago. According to the sources, it is from Latin, meaning "to make whole." Convincing? Hardly. Sol has to stand for sun, doesn't it? And dago sounds like dagger. When you look at them what do you see? Sun daggers, a.k.a., "golden rods." Convincing? Assuredly. [2015]

Columbia, Missouri, USA

The symbolic entrance to Columbia's City Hall is always open. It's a steel-and-glass walk-through sculpture that keynotes Columbia's history by mining the archives of landscape change. At night, the keyhole becomes a light box. [2015]

Jefferson City, Missouri, USA

Today's the last day the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall will be on the State Capitol Grounds in Jefferson City. More than 58,000 names are etched into the real wall in Washington, D.C. This half-size replica takes those names around the country to memorialize the fallen heroes of the Vietnam War. [2015]

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

The Old St. Louis County Courthouse was built in 1828. It is remarkably similar to the Helsinki Cathedral which was built starting in 1830 and finishing in 1852. When the dome on the courthouse was put up in 1861, the architecture became even more similar. How do you explain such comparability given the 5,000 miles that separate Helsinki and St. Louis? [2015]

Meadville, Missouri, USA

The Locust Creek Covered Bridge seems to have been moved here, right? The basis for your conclusion? There's no stream for it to cross. Surprise! The bridge stayed in the same position, but the meander abandoned its channel in the 1940s. As for the old road, Route 8: it was replaced with a new through route a short jog south. [2008]