Missouri, Clay County, Liberty
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Originally John Owens' log tavern near Liberty Spring. Used for court sessions until 1831, when the permanent court house was built on the square.
Bicentennial 1976
(Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Originally John Owens' log tavern near Liberty Spring. Used for court sessions until 1831, when the permanent court house was built on the square.
Bicentennial 1976
(Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
In 1849, U.S. troops led by Maj. Jefferson Van Horne established a post in what is now downtown El Paso to secure territory gained in the U.S.-Mexico War, 1846-48. It moved several times: to Magoffinsville in 1854; to Camp Concordia in 1868; back downtown in 1878; to Hart’s Mill in the 1880s; and finally to Lanoria Mesa in 1893 on land donated by El Paso citizens. The post name changed in 1854 to honor Lt. Col. William Wallace Smith Bliss, a veteran of the U.S.-Mexico War.
Text On Main Face of Marker 
2013
Contract 14
Contract 14 provided for the construction of a cantilever type steel bridge over the Sacandaga Reservoir at Batchellerville, N.Y., consisting of nineteen spans of 150 feet and two of 112 1/2 feet, including the construction of 20 piers, 2 abutments and the east approach to the bridge. There are involved about 5,800 cubic yards earth embankment, 1,200 cubic yards riprap, 29,500 lineal feet untreated timber piles, 9,100 cubic yards concrete, 6,900 square yards concrete pavement surfacing, 445 tons concrete reinforcement and 1,600 tons structural steel. The contract was awarded to Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Company on July 23, 1929, and the estimated cost is $491,400. This bridge will be completed during the fall of 1930. This contract is under the immediate direction of C. R. DeGraff, Resident Engineer, with H. A. Fleig, Assistant Engineer, serving as principal Assistant, E. A. Faille, Assistant Engineer, on inspection of concrete and J. E. Driscoll, Assistant Engineer, on inspection of steel and piles. The Edinburg approach to the bridge is to be constructed by the County of Saratoga in pursuance to its agreement with the Board.
Surrendered with property and $20,000 to Texas Confederates on March 21, 1861. From old fort, the South launched the New Mexico-Arizona campaign. Later, Confederates abandoned and destroyed most of fort and equipment, except for hospital and medical supplies left for their sick and wounded. Federals occupied fort, July 4, 1862, and later escorted the recovered patients by horseback and ambulance over 500 miles down the Rio Grande to Fort Clark. Federals held the trans-Pecos area longer than any other part of Texas.
Augusta, home of Old Augusta Cemetery, was built on the site of a former Indian village, “Sawanogi,” on high ground close to the Tallapoosa River. In 1824 a disastrous flood swept over the plateau, invading shops and residences. A year later a deadly form of malarial fever took half the population to their graves, killing the town as well. The cemetery, burial place for the Ross, Charles, and Taylor families, continued to be used until the early 20th century. The iron fence surrounding the cemetery formerly was erected around the state Capitol in Montgomery.
Dedicated to all who have
The only community in the U.S. so designated, Verbena was named for the profuse wild flowers growing in the area. Settlers arrived in the area as early as 1832. Completion of the North-South Railroad and a train depot at Verbena in 1870 enabled Montgomery citizens to escape yellow fever epidemics, the worst being in 1873. Because of the healthier climate, many prominent citizens built summer homes here and the village grew to include two hotels, doctor's offices, a bank, general stores, mineral springs, and more. Sidney Lanier, a great Southern poet, is reputed to have written “Into the Woods” while camping on the banks of nearby Chestnut Creek which is also known for its gold mines. By 1900, Dr. Walter Reed's Commission succeeded in eradicating yellow fever and the population dwindled, but the village remains and some of the beautiful homes and a church building erected in 1876 are still in use. Verbena was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
As early as 1807, springs in this area were used as a spa. In 1827, Dr. Christopher C. Graham purchased the springs. This "Saratoga of the West" flourished until 1853, when sold to US Gov't. as a military asylum. Fire later destroyed main buildings and the place fell into disuse. Judge Ben C. Allin opened a resort called "Graham Springs" on these grounds, beginning 1912.
His birthplace stands north of the road. A member of the General Assembly at 21, later a captain in the war with Spain, he was 24 years in Congress, later a Senator, Secretary of State 12 years, his efforts in behalf of the United Nations earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. He died in 1955, aged 83, and is buried in Washington’s National Cathedral.
