California in Moniteau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Smith - Burke Park
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 22, 2012
1. Smith - Burke Park Marker
Circa 1858, after tracks were laid through California, the Missouri Pacific Railroad built the Central Hotel to house railroad employees. Later, Dr. J.P. Burke, a local doctor who practiced medicine in California for about 50 years, purchased the property and resided in the structure along with his family, which maintained residency until 1968. The property was purchased in 1990 by California Progress, Inc., a non-profit corporation dedicated to the future of California, Missouri, in order to build a park in memory of the Central Hotel and Dr. J.P. Burke for their contributions to the community.
California Progress, Inc. wishes to thanks the following for their generous donations to this project:
Dr. Jack Child Ida Margeret Eitzen Leslie E. Morginson-Eitzen Jana Beale Morgana
Erected by California Progress, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 38° 37.727′ N, 92° 34.037′ W. Marker is in California, Missouri,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Missouri River Corridor. It is also in the American Ozarks, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Farmers and Traders Bank (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); California Aurora School Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Finke Opera House (approx. half a mile away); Eisenhower Green Ash (approx. half a mile away); Moniteau County Courthouse (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Fertile Fields and Flooding (approx. 14.7 miles away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 22, 2012
2. Smith - Burke Park Marker
Also see . . .
1. California, Missouri - Parks & Pools. (Submitted on January 8, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. About California, Missouri. (Submitted on January 8, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 22, 2012
3. Smith - Burke Park and Marker
Photographed by Deborah Billups, undated
4. Central Hotel Drawing on Smith - Burke Park Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 539 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 8, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
