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
MISSOURI QUICK FACTS Name Missouri is named after the Missouri River which runs along the state’s eastern border The river and state are both named after a tribe of Native Americans called the Missouri State Capital Jefferson City population 43,132 Date of Statehood August 10 1821 24th state Population 6,083,672 18th-most populous state Area Total Land and Water 69,707 square miles 180,540 sq km 21st-largest state Largest City Kansas City population 470,800 Nickname The Show Me State Motto Salus populi suprema lex esto The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law State Bird Bluebird 6 MISSOURI
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA State Flower White Hawthorn Blossom State Mineral Galena White Hawthorn Galena State Tree Flowering Dogwood State Song The Missouri Waltz Highest Point Taum Sauk Mountain 1,772 feet 540 m Flowering Dogwood Lowest Point St Francis River 230 feet 70 m Average July High Temperature 89 F 32 C Taum Sauk Mountain Record High Temperature 118 F 48 C in Union and Warsaw on July 14 1954 St Francis River Harry S Truman Average January Low Temperature 21 F 6 C Record Low Temperature 40 F 40 C in Warsaw on February 13 1905 Average Annual Precipitation 43 inches 109 cm Number of U S Senators 2 Number of U S Representatives 8 U S Presidents Born in Missouri Harry S Truman 33rd president U S Postal Service Abbreviation MO QUICK FACTS 7
