40 Interesting Facts About Missouri State

40 Interesting Facts About Missouri State

The state of Missouri is located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America.  The state which has been ranked as the 18th most populous state is a beautiful state that is filled with hidden gems that make living in the state a beautiful experience where one continues to uncover new things each time. Therefore, in this article, we are going to explore the 40 facts about this state so that we can impart the reader with more knowledge on the subject. Furthermore, the article will be a good place for someone who wants to tour and explore the state to get information that will expand their knowledge base as well as prepare them for their trip ahead.

1 The state does not have an official way to pronounce its name

The flag of Missouri. Marie Watkins Oliver, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The state of Missouri is the only state in the United States of America that does not have an official way that its name is pronounced. There are usually cases where some places in the world have names that are difficult to pronounce and thus make it confusing for people to pronounce the name when they are saying it.

 Missouri is one of these places and even locals have different variations of how they pronounce the name with others saying Misoor-ee, Mizzooor-ee, and Mussour-ah. Several linguists have also attempted to explain the varying pronunciations but they did not find any logical explanations as they did not stem from cultural backgrounds.

2 The name Missouri does not mean muddy waters

For a long time, the name of the state Missouri has been said to translate to mean muddy waters which is untrue. In actuality, the name Missouri originated from a Siouan Native American tribe that was known as Missouri. Therefore, the state was named after a Native American tribe and the name does not mean muddy waters as earlier suggested. The explanation for the translation is that there was a neighbouring tribe that spoke the Miami-Illinois language that had the word Missouri in their diction and it roughly translated to those who have dugout canoes.

3 It does not have an official nickname

The state does not have an official nickname even though it has been known by many names. However, the most popular nickname that the state is known by is the Show Me State which has even made it to license plates. The origin of the nickname is not quite known but it is speculated that it may have arisen from something that a congressman from Missouri Willard Vandiver said, ‘frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me. The politician may not have been the one that invented the phrase but he was the one that popularised it.

4 There are traces of humans dating back 10,00 years

The state of Missouri has a long history that can be traced back 10,000 years where signs of human settlement are traced back to. The state of Missouri was home to the Paleo Indians from the beginning of 12,000 BC. The Indians migrated from modern say Russia and first came to Alaska and spread to various parts of the United States of America. At around 1000 BC, the complex cultures could be traced around the country thus suggesting that there were traces of human settlement tracing back to a long time ago.

5 The French were the first Europeans in Missouri

The French were the first European people to pass over the state of Missouri when they arrived in North America. The group consisting of Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet who were a Jesuit priest and an explorer passed through the region now known as Missouri. However, the two did not stop there and they continued to  Mississippi and close to the Gulf of Mexico before turning back.

6 The ownership of the state changed hands several times before being admitted to the United States

A view of the Missouri river.

The state of Missouri was the 24th state to be admitted into the United States but before that, it had changed ownership several times. The French first colonised the area before they lost to Britain after the French and Indian War which took place in 1763. When the war was coming to an end, the French gave up control of La Louisiane to Spain who developed the area alongside French immigrants who had escaped British rule.

Later, France retook control of the region under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800 but he sold it to the United States of America in 1803. The Louisiana Territory was later split into the Missouri Territory and the Louisiana Territory in 1812. Missouri then joined the union in 1824 as the 24th state.

7 Missouri went to war with Iowa over a border dispute

After the split from the Louisiana territory, the northern border of Missouri had not been clearly defined and the state tried to take advantage of the situation and claim a 15.3 km wide strip that belonged to Iowa. When the tax agents went to collect tax from the region they were chased away with pitchforks and this led to the Missouri-Iowa Honey war where both states sent law enforcement authorities to go and protect the territory. The dispute was later settled by Congress which determined that it was part of Iowa.

Check out this article on the facts about Mississippi

8 Missouri and the Civil War

The state of Missouri took an interesting take to the American Civil War in that instead of deciding whether they would support the Confederate side of the Union states, the state had people fighting on both sides. The majority had been for joining the Union states but the governor Claiborne Jackson was against it. This led to two troops who were fighting on both sides emerging.

9 Mark Twain was born in Missouri

The famous author Samuel Langhorne Clemens who was popularly known as Mark Twain throughout his writing career was born in Missouri. The author was born in Florida, Missouri and grew up in Hannibal which is a nearby town. While starting his career, he worked with several small news agencies before quitting to become a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River.  It was not until later that he wrote masterpieces that were based on his experiences on the Mississippi River.

10 Missouri has a lot of fountains

This may come as a surprise but Missouri indeed has more fountains than Rome which is quite surprising. Even though there has been no tally done to prove this fact, Kansas tour guides swear that this is true. The explanation they offer for this fact is that private homesteads have fountains which results in a high number of fountains in the state.

11 The first pancake mix was created in Missouri

The end of the 19th century saw a surplus of flour in St. Joseph, Missouri. Two entrepreneurs saw this as a good business opportunity and thus created a mix of flour, baking powder, salt and cornflour and then marketed it as a self-raising pancake mix. They named the product Aunt Jemimah pancake mix and it was stocked on the shelves in 1889. From then on, many other brands have emerged that sell pancake mix but the idea originated in Missouri

12 The largest beer-producing plant is located in Missouri

The state of Missouri has a quite diverse range of economic activities going on in it in that it is home to the largest beer-producing plant in the United States of America. The biggest beer producing company in the world Anheuser-Busch has the largest producing plant in St. Louis, Missouri.  The company has factories all over the world but the biggest one is located in Missouri. This is beneficial to the economy of the state as they can provide employment to the residents as well as collect revenue from the plant. Additionally, the factory is among the oldest factories that the company has and it even offers behind-the-scenes tours.

13 The Table Rock Lake is famed for fishing

A picture of the man made lake in Missouri. Bruce Grembowski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The man-made lake, Table Rock Lake which is located in Missouri is a premier fishing location and it has gained popularity over the years and thus attracted a lot of people who visit the lake to fulfil their fishing plans. The lake was created in the 1950s and it has done exceptionally well to date. The lake features a diverse landscape under the water which is ideal for different species of fish to thrive.

14 Missouri has a lot of state parks

The state is filled with a lot of state parks that provide visitors and residents a chance to interact with natural beauty as well as engage in outdoor recreational activities. Some of the renowned state parks include the Elephant Rocks State Park which features big granite boulders that were formed over a billion years ago. The unique landscape at the park is ideal for hiking and therefore hiking enthusiasts should consider exploring this place. Another place is the Ha Ha Tonka State Park which is characterised by rugged terrain that is perfect for hikes, historic castle ruins and scenic views of the Lake of the Ozarks.

15 The deadliest Tornado ever experienced in Missouri

 The state of Missouri is located in what has been nicknamed the Tornado Alley, which is a region that is prone to hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. The state of Missouri was caught in a deadly tornado that was referred to as the Tri-State Tornado that happened in 1925. The tornado caused extensive damages in three states Missouri, Illinois and Indiana and resulted in 695 people dead while more than 2,000 more victims were injured. The calamity caused a lot of irreparable damage to the three states that devastated the residents.

Read more on the compelling facts about Kansas

16 The two renowned Wild West outlaws called Missouri home

Alexander Franklin James and Jesse Woodson James who fought for the Confederates in the American Civil War were born in Kearney, Missouri in the 19th century. After the Confederates were defeated in the Civil War, the duo became outlaws whose aim was to oppose the new Union way of life. The duo would engage in criminal activities like robbing banks, trains and stagecoaches and leaving a trail of bodies behind.

17 The first Olympic games in the United States of America were held in Missouri

The Olympic games have been held in Europe since the games were introduced to contemporary society.  It was not until 1904 that the United States of America got a chance to host the games. The games had been scheduled to be held in Chicago but St. Louis objected until it was changed to St. Louis, Missouri.  The Olympic games only had 65 participants from outside North America as transatlantic flights had not been invented at the time.

18 The Weird Laws in Missouri

The state of Missouri has some weird laws with the brothel law coming out at the top as the weirdest one. The law states that no more than four unrelated women will not live in the same house together. Surprisingly, the law was never revoked. Another weird law is that people are not allowed to worry about squirrels. It is also illegal to intoxicate an elephant.  Other weird laws in Missouri will make a person wonder how they came to be.

19 Missouri features a well-developed highway system

The Route 66 sign in Missouri.

For a state to achieve economic growth, its transport infrastructure is usually a huge factor as it will determine its accessibility as well as ease of movement of goods and services into and out of the state. Missouri is famed for having a very well-developed transport infrastructure with the state having segments of Route 66 which has been dubbed the Main Street of America. This shows the state’s significance in shaping the country’s highway culture.

20 The mule is the state’s official animal

It might come as a surprise that the state’s official animal is the mule as most people often think that Missouri’s official animal is the horse. Therefore, the mule is held in high regard in the state as it represents the history of the state and its ties to agriculture and transportation. When the state was developing, mules played a huge role in those two sectors as they are famed for their agility and versatility. The mules would pull wagons, help in farming and also used to transport things. Therefore, it is only fitting that they are the official state animal.

21 Ice cream cones were first invented in Missouri

The ice cream cones that are usually made from waffles were first invented in Missouri. The invention was not an intentional one but a lucky one because, during the St. Louis World’s Fair which took place in 1904, one ice cream vendor ran out of cups to put ice cream on he asked a waffle vendor that was nearby to roll the waffle into a cone and it resulted in the famous cone that is still being used to date.

22 Harry S. Truman was born in Missouri

The 33rd president of the United States of America. 

Harry S. Truman was the 33rd president of the United States of America and he is the only president that was born in Missouri.  He grew up in a town known as Independence where the Church of Latter-Day Saints is also located. Many history enthusiasts flock to the town so that they can experience the significance that the state held in the 19th century and also see the hometown of the 33rd president of the United States of America. Harry. S. Truman Library and Museum as well as the National Frontier Trails Museum are some of the facilities attracting tourists to the state.

23 The Washington University in St.Louis, Missouri is one of the performing schools

Washington University located in Missouri has been ranked severally among the top universities in the United States of America. The school has great research programs that make the students who attend school there achieve academic excellence. It is also known for its immense contributions to different fields like engineering, medicine and social sciences. The school focuses on intellectual growth as well as innovation and thus is one of the top choices that students make when selecting where to study.

24 Missouri has mineral resources

The state is rich in mineral resources with the notable ones being coal, lead and zinc. The resources have been instrumental in the development of the state’s economy since its discovery in the 18th century. Furthermore,  the resources were helpful during the Civil War as they provided materials needed to make ammunition and other resources needed in the war. The coal mining industry has also been crucial to the state as it not only provided energy for the state but also beyond the border lines. The significance of the resources has declined over the years but they were crucial during important historical events.

25 The St Louis Public Library

The interior of the St. Louis public library in Missouri. Jonathan Cutrer, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The St. Louis Public Library which is located in Missouri is one of the oldest libraries in the United States of America. The library features a vast collection of books and historical documents alongside multimedia resources. The Central Library features a Beaux-Arts design that is often referred to as an architectural masterpiece. The library is an essential part of the community as it provides a platform for community engagement, research and cultural interactions.

26 The St. Louis Cardinals fly the Missouri flag high

The St. Louis Cardinals is a team that plays in Major League Baseball and they have won several World Series Championships and thus fly the flag of Missouri high as that is the state that they come from. The team has won 11 World Series championships over the years which makes them a formidable team. Their success has garnered them a huge following with the residents of Missouri being proud of them as they associate themselves with their victories.

27 It is home to diverse wildlife

A picture of white tailed deers grazing. Raul654., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The state’s ecosystem supports an array of different wildlife species that attract wildlife enthusiasts to the state. Some of the species that are common in the state of Missouri include the white-tailed deer and the wild turkey. The tourists can easily spot a deer when they are exploring as they are many in the state. People who like birdwatching can also consider Missouri as their destination as it has a variety of bird species because of the diverse habitats which allows different species of birds to thrive in the area.

Explore the facts about the Reindeer

28 The first successful skydive was done in Missouri

The state of Missouri got to witness a groundbreaking advancement in the field of aviation in 1912 when Captain Berry successfully skydived from a plane in St. Louis. This moment was instrumental to the advancements in the field like parachuting as well as paragliding. The captain’s jump showed that controlled jumps can be safe and they can even be turned into a sport that people enjoy.

29 The Ozarks National Scenic Riverways are located in Missouri

A picture of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. National Park Service Digital Image Archives, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Ozark National Riverway are a protected area that is located in Missouri that sits on 8,000 acres of land that is full of natural beauty. The national park comprises pristine rivers like the Jack Fork and Current Rivers which give outdoor enthusiasts a chance to partake in activities like kayaking, tubing and canoeing. The national park also features caves, hiking trails and campsites which gives the tourists and locals variety when they visit the park.

30 The first kindergarten in America was started in Missouri

A pioneering Missourian known as Susan Elizabeth Blow started the first American kindergarten in 1873. This development marked the start of basic education in the area. Blow started a kindergarten that featured play-based learning and child development, a curriculum that was similar to Germany’s. This innovative approach towards early childhood education led to the program being expanded nationwide so that children in other states could also benefit.

31 The GDP of Missouri almost equivalent to that for the Czech Republic

The state of Missouri has a robust economic activity and its GDP is said to be equivalent to the one for the Czech Republic. Missouri has a diverse economy with stakes in the agricultural field, manufacturing and services which ensures that there is economic stability in the state. Furthermore, its central location in the United States ensures that it has access to good transport networks which are essential in the economic landscape of a state.

32 The first bread-slicing machine was invented in Missouri

The building that housed the first bread slicing machine. Americasroof, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The state of Missouri is lauded for a culinary breakthrough that happened in 1928 when the first bread-slicing machine was invented by Otto Fredrick Rohwedder who was a Chillicothe native. The machine sliced bread uniformly and thus invention is still in use upto date. The pioneer’s innovative discovery has changed the game in the way sandwiches are made in contemporary society.

33 Missouri borders eight states

The statement that Missouri is located at the centre of the United States of America is quite true and this fact can be backed by the fact that the state of Missouri borders eight other states. This is quite phenomenal as one would expect the highest number of states to share the border with Missouri to be five but this state has broken a record and it borders eight states. The states include Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kentucky,  Illinois, Tennessee and Arkansas.

34 The first drive-thru restaurant was established in Missouri

The concept of drive-thru restaurants is a normal thing in contemporary society and it is well appreciated by people as it makes getting food from a restaurant much faster while the person is comfortable in their car. The drive-thru enthusiasts have the state of Missouri to thank for this invention as the first drive-thru restaurant was established in this state. The restaurant was known as the Red Giant Hamburg and it is still operational to date.

35 The significance of the Gateway  Arch in Missouri

The St. Louis Gateway arch. Bev Sykes from Davis, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of America’s most well-known monuments and a representation of Western development is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. It is a component of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and stands 630 feet tall, making it the highest arch in the whole globe. Eero Saarinen created it, and it was finished in 1965. For sweeping views of St. Louis and the Mississippi River, visitors may take trams to the top. The Arch honours St. Louis’ contribution to American westward migration, notably during the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It is an architectural wonder and a must-see location for both visitors and history buffs.

36 The Gooey Butter Cake is from Missouri

The delicious dish known as gooey butter cake originates from the St. Louis, Missouri, region. It is distinguished by a foundation of sweet and buttery yellow cake with a gooey, creamy topping. Cream cheese, powdered sugar, and eggs are the usual ingredients in the topping, giving it a lusciously creamy and gooey feel. This popular dessert is frequently sliced into squares or bars and coated with powdered sugar. In the area, gooey butter cake has grown to be known as an iconic dessert that can be had at any time of the day and on different social occasions. It’s a regional favourite because of the dish’s appealing fusion of tastes and textures.

37 The Missouri pizza

In contrast to classic Italian or New York traditions, St. Louis is well known for its own take on pizza. The crunchy, unleavened dough of St. Louis-style pizza is very thin and cracker-like. It stands out even more due to the addition of Provel cheese, a processed cheese combination of Swiss, Provolone, and Cheddar. With a tangy, somewhat sweet tomato sauce and toppings like pepperoni or sausage, the resultant pizza has a distinct flavour and texture. It is a cherished regional speciality with a devoted following among both locals and visitors to St. Louis.

Find out more about pizza here

38 The state is dedicated to conserving the environment

Rangers from the Missouri Department of Conservation. USFWSmidwest, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Missouri’s dedication to conservation has a long-standing reputation. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is at the forefront of these initiatives. This group is very important in maintaining the state’s natural environments, controlling wildlife populations, and encouraging environmentally friendly outdoor activities. MDC runs a number of conservation areas and educational initiatives that encourage both locals and visitors to have a strong respect for the environment. Their commitment to conservation guarantees that Missouri’s various ecosystems, from marshes to forests, flourish for future generations, providing opportunities for outdoor lovers and preserving the state’s biodiversity.

39 Missouri has an underground wedding venue

The underground wedding location known as Bridal Cave is situated near Camdenton, Missouri. It has hosted more than 2,000 weddings since it opened in 1949, making it the top option for couples looking for an out-of-the-ordinary location for their wedding. Ceremonies take place against a backdrop that is incredibly spectacular thanks to the cave’s amazing natural structures and mystical atmosphere. For couples wishing to exchange vows in an underground paradise, surrounded by the splendour of Missouri’s geological wonders, it provides a one-of-a-kind event.

40 Missouri is filled with unique historical pieces

The world’s largest chess piece, a massive 15-foot-tall white king, is placed in the city of St. Louis, which is home to several other unusual attractions. Another amazing attraction is the world’s largest man-made moon, which is positioned atop the Moonrise Hotel in St. Louis. The skyline of the city is enhanced by the presence of this enormous celestial ball, making it a distinctive and unforgettable sight for both locals and tourists. These outstanding works serve as a prime example of St. Louis’ propensity for fusing art, innovation, and creative expression.

The state of Missuori is a lush and interesting state with a lot of history. therefore, it is a good place for history enthusiast to visit so that the can expand their knowledge base. Furthermore, the visitors are assured of good delicacies with the highlights being the Missuori Pizza and the Gooey Butter cake that the reader will undoubtedly enjoy.