Scott City uses 'fireside chat' to get to town's roots

A "fireside chat" Friday in Scott City kicked off an effort to collect oral histories of Scott City and the five communities that came together throughout the years to form the town's boundaries.

Several people with ties to the Scott City community gathered at the Scott City Nutrition Center to discuss the history of what used to be five separate towns -- Illmo, Fornfelt, Ancell, Burger and Scott City. Each used to exist independently before consolidating with Scott City decades ago.

The Scott City Historic Preservation Commission hopes to document the histories of the towns and how they have added to the community of Scott City.

"I want future generations to know what the founders of Scott City sacrificed and endured to create these communities; I feel the children of this generation are missing out on the local history," said Susan Perez, chairwoman of the commission.

The commission plans to collect the oral histories for compilation in a book. Leaders felt that a fireside chat would be a great place to start in collecting the memories people have.

Many stories began with the railroad. Everyone in attendance had some tie to the railroad whether it be themselves, a husband, brother or other relative.

"I remember the day I got the call saying that the caboose had arrived," said Shirley Young, a former mayor. She recalled the effort it took to remove the caboose from the track and have it placed in its current location along Main Street. She also shared facts about a collection of photos of former mayors of Ancell, Illmo and Fornfelt.

A former schoolhouse called the Head School was the headquarters for the commission until the building was destroyed by arson several years ago. Young spoke of several photos that were destroyed, as well as the original lantern from the Thebes railroad bridge. Without the bridge linking Missouri to Illinois, Illmo likely never would have existed.

The commission invites anyone with ties to Scott City to contact them to share their information.

"Everyone has a different viewpoint of history, and we want to capture them all," Perez said.

For more information on the Scott City Historic Preservation Commission or to set up an appointment to share stories, call Paula Davidson Goodale at 334-7655.

Pertinent address:

105 E. Hickory St., Scott City, MO