CONTENTS The Show Me State 4 Quick Facts 6 Geography 8 Climate and Weather 12 Plants and Animals 14 History 18 Did You Know 24 People 26 Cities 30 Transportation 34 Natural Resources 36 Industry 38 Sports 40 Entertainment 42 Timeline 44 Glossary 46 Index 48
THE SHOW ME STATE In the early 1800s Missouri was the launching point for many explorers point for many explorer and settlers heading west The Lewis and Clark Expedition began near St Louis Missouri Today St Louis is called the Gateway to the West hi The city’s Gateway Arch is the tallest monument in the United States Missouri is a land with Southern and Midwestern traditions all rolled into one Banjos and square dancing compete with blues and indie rock bands Kansas City barbecue is legendary while St Louis thin-crust pizza is unforgettably unique Missouri is also filled with natural beauty from the Northern Plains to the wooded Ozark Mountains in the south People from Missouri have a reputation of being skeptical until something is proven to them In 1899 Missouri politician Willard Vandiver once said I’m from Missouri and you have got to show me That is why today Missouri is called The Show Me State The Hodgson Water Mill is in Ozark County Missouri The mill once used the flowing water from Bryant Creek to grind grains 4 MISSOURI
The Gateway Arch in St Louis Missouri is the tallest monument in the United States
