Founded in 1859 and named for John Wood Brooks, who surveyed the town. First incorporated in 1865. The town became division headquarters for the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad in 1859. — — Map (db m144456) HM
This tablet is placed
in grateful recognition of
a gift of
Rev. Walter Tormey
whose generosity made
possible this park
to the City of Brookfield
Aug. 31, 1925
2023-2024
Tormey Park Renovation
and Joy Tree made . . . — — Map (db m294953) HM
In 1859, while laying out plans for Brookfield, John Wood Brooks, surveyor for the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad and native of Boston, included a park reminiscent of his hometown Boston Commons. Though it began as one large park, as the town grew . . . — — Map (db m198798) HM
In memory of those from the Brookfield area who gave their lives in freedom's cause this memorial is hereby dedicated
[Roll of Honored Dead] — — Map (db m67172) WM
Truss Structures
Kingpost
The kingpost was the first and simplest truss structure used in America. Its basic idea consists of a center post, the kingpost, with compression beams slanting downward and outward toward each shore. The . . . — — Map (db m67182) HM
The Ainse-Marne American Cemetery adjoins the site of the Battle of Belleau Woods. In this early engagement for US troops in France, US troops stopped a sudden German advance along the Marne River. In this battle (June 1-26, 1918), U.S. Marine . . . — — Map (db m293991) HM
Dr. Nathaniel Harris built the house now known as the Pershing Boyhood Home in 1858. It is approximately 3,800 square feet and is of Rural Gothic gingerbread, Victorian-era styling. The foundation is native limestone and the exterior walls are . . . — — Map (db m292695) HM
Brookwood American Cemetery honors the American sailors and civilians lost at sea and those who died in England away from the battlefields. When the U.S. entered World War I in April 1917, the Navy took command of the U.S. Coast Guard for the . . . — — Map (db m293995) HM
General Pershing dedicated much of his postwar efforts memorializing those who served and sacrificed in the Great War. It is in that spirit that we honor his commitment to duty completing the last detail. While approximately 35,000 American . . . — — Map (db m293999) HM
Flanders Field is one of the best known of the American cemeteries due to John McCraes poem In Flanders Fields written in 1916. In Flanders Fields by John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row . . . — — Map (db m293996) HM
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the
United States of America — — Map (db m67051) HM
General of the Armies of
the United States 1914-1924
In 1917 General Pershing organized in Europe the 2,000,000 men of the American Expeditionary Force and led them to Allied victory in November 1918
Born in Laclede, Missouri, General . . . — — Map (db m67050) HM WM
Laclede is distinguished as the boyhood home of John Joseph Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I. He was born near Laclede in Linn County, Sept. 13, 1860. At the time, his parents, John Fletcher and . . . — — Map (db m67004) HM
Birthplace and boyhood home of General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in the World War. — — Map (db m67052) HM
Laclede, Mo. was established in 1853. Conveniently located with access from the railroads, Laclede was at one time quite a prosperous town. general stores, banks, factory work, appliance retail, implement dealerships, upholstery, beauticians, . . . — — Map (db m67078) HM
Water is the lifeblood of natural wetlands. The life of the wetlands at Pershing State Park depends upon Locust Creek, which flows under this bridge. Think of the water in this creek as the blood in your body's own circulatory system. Just as in . . . — — Map (db m288493) HM
Though its present setting suggests otherwise, this bridge was part of "Route 8," the first transcontinental highway in the United States and the primary east-west artery in Linn County. Prior to that designation, "Route 8" played an important . . . — — Map (db m67180) HM
The Meuse-Argonne battle was the largest single battle American forces ever fought. Over 1.2 million American soldiers fought alongside French and British soldiers for 47 days. The battle culminated in the wars armistice on Nov. 11, 1918. Over . . . — — Map (db m293997) HM
Most of the troops buried in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery lost their lives fighting in eastern France in 1918. The United States Army practiced segregation during World War I. African American troops generally performed non-combat duties . . . — — Map (db m293994) HM
Welcome to Pershing State Park. This state park commemorates a significant figure in U.S. military history and preserves an important remnant of our natural history.
The park was acquired in 1937 as a tribute to Gen. John J. Pershing, leader . . . — — Map (db m288494) HM
Built in 1874 and located nine miles south of Laclede, Prairie Mound School served as a rural one-room schoolhouse. It is where young John Pershing moved out of his boyhood home and into the world. He taught there before and after receiving his . . . — — Map (db m292683) HM
The Saint-Mihiel offensive was the first and only American offensive completely planned and executed by General Pershing and the American Expeditionary Force. The American objective was to break through the German lines and capture the rail city of . . . — — Map (db m293992) HM
General Pershing sent American troops into the trenches alongside French and British allies to halt the German advance on Paris in April 1918. For months, the allied forces had dealt with thick mud, crushing heat, and foul odors. Farmers in the . . . — — Map (db m293993) HM
This statue is a bronze, 10-foot tall heroic-scale image of Gen. John J. Pershing in full dress uniform, clutching a pair of gloves in his left hand. Carl Mose of St. Louis sculpted it and in 1957, Roman Bronze Works of Corona, New York, cast the . . . — — Map (db m292692) HM
Many soldiers buried in the Suresnes American Cemetery died from battle wounds in nearby hospitals. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 entangled most of Europe. Though the US government declared neutrality, American businesses and banks . . . — — Map (db m293998) HM
Sergeant Edward Younger was initially told that he had been picked to be one of the six pallbearers for unknowns of the A.E.F. On October 24, 1921 at City Hall in Chβlons-en-Champagne in a makeshift chapel, four flag draped caskets (each with an . . . — — Map (db m292688) HM
They Gave Their Lives in the
Cause of All Freedoms
George M. Gooch
April 23, 1919
Elc. M 3/C, U.S.S. Oklahoma
Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941
Harold Lloyd Head
October 10, 1921
S. 2/C, U.S.S. Oklahoma
Pearl Harbor . . . — — Map (db m67081) WM
Constructed in 1906, the building was brand new when Roy Disney remembered the entire family eating out at the Allen Hotel dining room. Roy didn't remember what he had to eat, but he did remember that his little sister, Ruth, spilled the plate . . . — — Map (db m67166) HM
"To tell the truth, more things of importance happened to me in Marceline than have happened to me since, or are likely to in the future."
Walt often drew upon his idyllic farm life in Marceline for stories and characters that became world . . . — — Map (db m198818) HM
Elias [Disney] purchased 45 acres in Marceline from his brother Robert at a price of $125 an acre, promising installment payments with money he was to receive for houses in Chicago that Flora had designed and he had built.
In the spring of . . . — — Map (db m67134) HM
In the spring of 1906 Elias and Flora Disney moved their family from the hustle and bustle of Chicago to this idyllic 45 acre farm, purchased from the estate of Civil War veteran William Crane.
At the time of the move the farm was largely . . . — — Map (db m198812) HM
The confectionery located at this site in the Allen Hotel Block, built in 1905, was a favorite stop for Marcelineans with a sweet tooth. When designing Downtown Disney, which is adjacent to Disneyland, the Disney Company included Marceline's . . . — — Map (db m62153) HM
The Disney family moved into this home in 1906.
"I went with my family to live in Marceline when I was four years old...I clearly remember the day we arrived there on the train. A Mr. Coffman met us in his wagon and we rode out to our house in . . . — — Map (db m55367) HM
In 1898, the Santa Fe Railway donated land in the center of the city for a park. Walt Disney played in this very park as a child and would later name the first steam engine installed in his Disneyland Resort the E.P. Ripley. As a tribute to our . . . — — Map (db m198822) HM
Walt Disney's hometown of Marceline today is much as it was when he lived here. The first plans of Disneyland show a remarkable resemblance to the town, with it's store fronts on main street and locomotives coming and going. All who enter Disneyland . . . — — Map (db m62154) HM
Walt's 1949 film "So Dear To My Heart" was set in the early 1900's, echoing the time period the Disney family spent in Marceline.
For the film Walt instructed his production designers to create a barn set that reflected his 'best memory' of the . . . — — Map (db m198809) HM
This official Olympic flagpole was used at Squaw Valley, California in the pageantry ceremonies of the VIII Olympic Winter Games held in February 18-28, 1960.
Walt Disney, Chairman of Pageantry — — Map (db m246872) HM
This locomotive is of the "Consolidation" class, having a wheel arrangement 2-8-0. Santa Fe classified it as 2535 series.
The wheels are of medium size, indicating that it was intended for medium-speed, freight duty.
Number 2546 is one of . . . — — Map (db m67164) HM
In 1949 Walt Disney released the film "So Dear To My Heart," which takes place in the early 1900's - the same period as Walt's childhood.
In the movie, one of the structures on the farm was a barn. It was a set designed and built according to . . . — — Map (db m67136) HM
this home is currently a private residence
"I went with our family to live in Marceline when I was around 4 years old I clearly remember the day we arrived there on the train. A Mr. Coffman met us in his wagon and we rode out . . . — — Map (db m198821) HM
This large cottonwood tree still stands where Walt and Ruth played and waded in the spring that runs at its base. Daydreaming under the giant cottonwood young Walt Disney would observe the whole of nature surrounding him the bugs, animals, birds, . . . — — Map (db m55381) HM
In 1950 Walt recreated the barn from Marceline at his home in California and used it as his personal workshop.
It became his "Happy Place" and became the birthplace of "Disney Imagineering." — — Map (db m55382) HM
In 1906 Elias Disney purchased the William Crane Farm located on the outskirts of Marceline, Missouri. The entire family was enlisted by Elias & Flora to help maintain the farm, tasking a young Walt with the responsibility of keeping an eye on his . . . — — Map (db m198801) HM
This Dreaming Tree Sapling was planted by Walt's grandson Bradford Disney Lund, with the assistance of Walt Disney World Ambassadors Sara Spike, Juan Aviles and Christopher Stewart. Soil from the Magic Kingdom and water from the Rivers of America . . . — — Map (db m198817) HM
Opened June 30, 1930. In 1956, Walt and Roy Disney held the Midwest premiere of their feature film "The Great Locomotive Chase" in this theater. They personally greeted each child at the door. Walt and Roy took the stage before the movie started and . . . — — Map (db m55386) HM
As an adult Walt [Disney] wrote:
"To tell the truth, more things of importance happened to me in Marceline than have happened to me since or are likely to the future."
Often he drew upon farm life for stories and characters that became world . . . — — Map (db m67135) HM
After Walt Disney's death in December of 1966, the citizens of Marceline lobbied the United States Postal Department to issue a commemorative stamp to his honor. The postal department agreed to issue the stamp. After the issuance of the stamp was . . . — — Map (db m67165) HM
Walt Disney was the age of four when his family moved from Chicago to a forty-acre farm in Marceline. Walt quickly learned to love farm life, and the old barn became his and his younger sister Ruth's favorite place to play.
The barn provided . . . — — Map (db m67137) HM
When a young Walt decided to hold a 'Circus' in the barn, his friends paid 10 cent for a show comprised of a lethargic goat, a pig, and the family dog & cat dressed in sister Ruth's doll clothing. They were not impressed.
When Flora heard the . . . — — Map (db m198815) HM
In 1950 Walt used his fondest memories of Marceline to recreate the old family farm barn in the backyard of his new Holmby Hills property in California.
Walt used the new barn as a personal workshop for his beloved Carolwood Pacific Railway. It . . . — — Map (db m198814) HM
This barn was built by volunteers in the summer of 2001 to help celebrate Walt's 100th birthday. It was constructed using the blueprints Walt had commissioned for his own Holmby Hills workshop.
Autographs and messages to Walt and Roy are . . . — — Map (db m198807) HM
In honor of those from the
Marceline - Bucklin Community
who made the supreme sacrifice
in the World Wars
World War I
William Gupton Wesley Simon Hedrick William P. Jones Samuel Kennedy Lester Leake Foster Miller . . . — — Map (db m67141) HM
The Coca-Cola building on Main Street USA at Disneyland is modeled after the Zurcher Building you see here. Built in 1892, Zurcher Jewelers occupied this site from 1903 to 1973. In the Knights of Pythias hall, located in the second story, Elias . . . — — Map (db m62421) HM
