Louisiana in Pike County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Louisiana
Side A:
Louisiana, early Mississippi River port, known for the Delicious apple developed here and grown through the world, was settled, in 1817, when John Bryson pre-empted land near the confluence of the river and Noix Creek. A year later Samuel Caldwell and Joel Shaw from Kentucky founded the town on land bought from Bryson.
The Pioneer Stark cabin was moved here from the nearby hills, restored and opened as a museum, 1952, to honor Horticulturist James Hart Stark who built the cabin. The orchard he planted, 1816, with grafted scions brought from the family's Kentucky orchard, considered the first of grafted apple trees west of the Alleghenies, has become known under his descendants as one of the oldest and largest commercial nurseries in the world. Here are carried on many of Luther Burbank's experiments. The Stark Nursery obtained first patent granted a fruit, 1934.
Settlers were in the general vicinity of Louisiana as early as 1810 and some 2 miles southeast a D.A.R. monument marks the site of Buffalo Fort where 15 families took refuge during the War of 1812.
Side B:
Prominent supply stop for pioneers to the Salt River Country, the city flourished as a river port until the coming of the railroads, Louisiana early became a trade and industrial center.
Laid out the year Pike Co. was organized the town served as country seat until 1824. Centrally located Bowling Green succeeded as county seat. The slang term "Pike" or "Piker" derives from this county and came into use to identify natives of the region who joined the '49 Gold Rush. The county is named for Explorer Zebulon M. Pike.
Here lived Lloyd C. Stark, Governor of Missouri, 1937-1941. John B. Henderson (1826-1913), U.S. Senator, promoter of the 13th and 15th Constitutional Amendments, had law offices here. Champ Clark (1850-1921), Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives, had law offices and taught here before making his home in nearby Bowling Green. Scientist R.R. Rowley (1854-1934) taught here.
The third Missouri railroad bridge across the Mississippi opened here, 1873. Champ Clark Highway Bridge was dedicated, 1928
Erected 1953 by State Historical Society of Missouri and State Highway Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, The State Historical Society of series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.
Location. 39° 25.64′ N, 91° 4.575′ W. Marker is in Louisiana, Missouri, in Pike County. Marker is on Georgia Street east of County Route NN, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Louisiana MO 63353, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. "Miss Lucille's Garden" (approx. 2.2 miles away); Louisiana Public Library (approx. 2.2 miles away); Floods of 1973 and 1993 (approx. 2.3 miles away); John Brooks Henderson (approx. 2.3 miles away); Henderson Park (approx. 2.3 miles away); Champ Clark Bridge (approx. 2.3 miles away); Welcome to Illinois (approx. 5.1 miles away in Illinois); Oldest Building in Pike County (approx. 8.2 miles away in Illinois). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisiana.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 6, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.