SHSMO Rolla Research Center

06/03/2026

Lucy Wortham James (2nd from the right) with her decorated bicycle, near Saint James, Missouri. She was a philanthropist and descendant of the family that established the Maramec Iron Works in 1826; she would later preserve Maramec Spring through the James Foundation preserving the land after developing a fondness for the area during her childhood.

This image, views of the spring, the James family, the Iron Works, and much more can be found in the James Memorial Public Library Photograph Collection (R1299) at the Rolla Research Center.

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The State Historical Society of Missouri Phelps County Historical Society

05/31/2026

On this day in 1909, around 11:00 am, two Frisco Railroad trains collided at Bourbon, Missouri. Amazingly, no one was injured, although both engines and a mail car were badly damaged in the wreck. The mess was cleaned up by 3 that afternoon, and business returned to usual.

Images from the John F. Bradbury, Jr. Postcard Collection (R1551)

05/29/2026

Join SHSMO archivist Ashley Weaver, along with host Kathleen Seale, as we learn about Stony Dell Resort, the Prewett family, who expanded their enterprise to include a park with a picnic area, a rock garden, and a zoo looking to stand out from other roadside stops. Register online, https://shsmo.org/events/2026/asphalt-archives-telling-missouri-route-66-story-disneyland-ozarks-stony-dell-swimming.

On Stony Dell’s opening day, the Rolla Herald reported that the pool in Arlington, Mo., attracted over 1,000 visitors; it quickly became a popular entertainment spot for locals, travelers along Route 66, construction workers, and military personnel at nearby Fort Leonard Wood during the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s. the amenities at the Stony Dell complex included a spring-fed swimming pool with a slide and diving board, a stone bathhouse, a restaurant, rustic cabins, a souvenir shop, a filling station, and a park with a picnic area. Stony Dell like many of its Route 66 counterparts, continuously looked for ways to appeal to travelers.

05/28/2026

05/26/2026

Float trip season is finally here! For most of us, float trips on Missouri's rivers are a recurring summer activity, but they look much different today than they once did. Wooden johnboats were once the most popular way to navigate Missouri's rivers. To learn more about how johnboats became so popular in the Ozarks and find out the origins of the term, check out Lynn Morrow's article in Ozarks Watch, "True Sportsman, Float Trips & Ozark Ripley's Johnboat," published in 2019.

For more information and photographs on float fishing, johnboats, river crafts, and the evolution of river tourism in the Ozarks, see the Lynn Morrow John Boats & River Ways Collection (R1523) here at the Rolla Research Center. We look forward to your visit.

05/19/2026

The Rolla Office will be closed today due to a scheduled power outage for the Curtis Laws Wilson Library on the Missouri S&T campus.

05/17/2026

Where there's a whisk, there's a way! Happy World Baking Day!
Image: R1356 Ray Family Papers

05/15/2026

Coffee and Conversation with the Curator is back
Enter May 15—June 15
One randomly drawn winner—and up to five friends—will take a private tour with SHSMO Art Curator Joan Stack. Learn how works of art are cared for, displayed, and preserved, then enjoy coffee and conversation in a small-group setting designed for questions, stories, and connection.
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THE DETAILS: From May 15 through June 15, 2026, anyone who joins or renews their SHSMO membership will be entered into a drawing for this exclusive experience at the Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm Street, Columbia.
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Don't miss the chance for an insider experience that offers a deeper look at SHSMO art and history. The winner will be notified on June 20.
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05/13/2026

The shortest standard-gauge railway line in the United States was built by the Cassville and Western Railway Company (C&W) in Barry County, Missouri, in the summer of 1896. The track was five miles and 400 feet long. The first train rolled into Cassville on July 4, 1896, to much fanfare. The route chosen to lay the tracks was slightly uphill, so the engine would steam up the grade to Exter, and then quietly return home on a gravity coast back to Cassville. The C & W railway line successfully improved Cassville’s overall economy, but maintaining the line created a new kind of economic hardship for the investors. The complete disregard of maintenance and management meant a steady decline from the onset for the C & W.

In 1919, the C & W was purchased by Mr. David Dingler and Mr. James C. Ault, and the company was renamed the Cassville & Exeter Railway Company. The short line entered a new era of prosperity and popularity with this change of ownership. Dingler’s hard work and enthusiasm revitalized the Cassville railway business, improved the condition and reputation of the line, and spread joy up and down the line. In fact, his friendly demeanor struck a chord with everyone who met him. He planned special trips for schoolchildren, delighted tourists, treated strangers like family, and made great friends with the Frisco Railroad linemen at Exeter, who often loaned the short line equipment. Dingler’s good cheer even made the papers. It was the second most notable feature of the Cassville and Exter railroad line. The most notable being how short the line was. Dingler was often quoted as saying, “that the Cassville and Exter Railway may be short, but it was just as wide as any of the other lines.” He wanted the public to take C&E railroad seriously without losing its sense of wonder and humor.

The Dingler family ran the shortest standard-gauge railroad line in the United States for as long as they could, which became even shorter after losing a tenth of a mile over the years, and closed for good in the autumn of 1956. The last run over the 4.8 miles of track to Exeter took place on September 11 to return an empty boxcar to the Frisco line. By the time the track was retired, the railroad had served the Cassville community for over 60 years.

R0421 Cassville & Exeter Railway Company Records

01/08/2026

We invite you to experience the rich history and enduring legacy of Route 66 by registering for this important online series. Notable authors, historians, and passionate advocates will come together to share their unique stories and expertise about this iconic highway. Participants will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Route 66 and its significance in American culture and history. Celebrate, learn, and connect with others who are dedicated to preserving the memory of the road that has helped shape the nation.

The speaker series is proudly certified as an Official Route 66 Centennial Activity by the federal U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission and is organized and hosted by Research Route 66, a collaboration led by the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, and ten archives, libraries and museums along the route.

You can register for these events here, https://speakers.researchroute66.org/.

Stay up-to-date with all of SHSMO's news on our website, https://shsmo.org/route66.

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The State Historical Society of Missouri