A Rural Libranian's Thoughts on Bollinger County

The community I have called home for the past seven years has become a part of me just as I have merged within it. Marble Hill, located in Bollinger County Missouri, is now running through me. The town is where I am employed which allows me to shelter and feed my children. The townsfolk have given my family stability in this sometimes crazy, chaotic life. The precious young ones have plenty of room to run wild like generations before them. The land here is not only a place to work and rest it is a springboard of dreams as big as you can imagine. The people have nurtured me through 7 years of dreams and stood by me as I succeeded and failed which I hope will be true for my children. The locals breathe fresh air, wave as you pass and men still open the doors for the women. The townsfolk of Marble Hill has built the brick and mortar you will see as you are driving to us but the people inside those walls are discoverers, daring and artistic. It all started with the big dreams one community had and was followed by neighbors who were bred with human kindness and the belief that all is possible if you work for it.

One of the many amazing feats this community has managed is a top class museum. The Bollinger County Museum of Natural History houses a life size replica of the Missouri dinosaur. Yes, a dig site with an actual dinosaur is here in Bollinger County, Mo. The museum has a viewing room where archeologists actually work from time to time sifting through the fossils at the museum. I was amazed at the quality of their exhibits and the history of this land I now call home. My children have been to the museum often to see they exhibits and of course there is a children's room with enough activities to keep my 7 & 8 year old girls busy for a hour and a half!!

Thousand Oaks Winery & Vineyard is a family owned business nestled on their family's 60 acre farm in the scenic hills of Bollinger Country, Missouri. The wonderful folks who own and run this winery have a motto that they run their winery by. "It's Not Just About Wine: At Thousand Oaks Winery, we understand you could have chosen any of Missouri's fine wineries, but you decided to visit us. We've crafted a relaxing environment conducive to special events, private parties, weddings, and gatherings of your family and friends. We might be a little off the beaten path, but we believe you will find us well worth the drive. Our entertainment, grounds, menu, and staff all lend themselves to providing you a memorable experience that will make you want to visit us again." The winery is a must stop when you venture out this way.

The area also has an amazing getaway that will appeal to both the young and the mature that is the Whippoorwill Lake Campground. The campground is located in the beautiful foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The campground is a perfect place for day outings, family camping, church events, reunions, picnics, beach activities and private parties. There are 5 Rustic Cabins available for rent located in the woods overlooking the valley and the lake. They are walking distance from the bathhouse, beach and the music stage. Everyone can enjoy the crystal clean - spring fed water and the sandy beach which is a great place to relax and enjoy the sun. The swimming area has a roped off area for swimming for children and good swimmers may swim out to the diving dock. The campground is adding a Western Town to Whippoorwill Lake. They are starting with a Western Town Hotel. It will take you back in time, while staying in nice rooms overlooking the lake. The rooms will have bathrooms, refrigerators and microwaves. They plan to have the Western Town Hotel complete sometime in 2011. They are not stopping there; they are also building an Old Time Bath House, General Store, Gift Shop, Hardware Store, a Barber Shop and a Church House. I must admit this is the place that takes all my frantic thinking and puts an end to it. My children and I go really early to go swimming and the lake is smooth and peaceful with the smell of campfires cooking breakfast and my mind slows down for those hours and remembers that love, beauty and family surrounds me as I step into the lake.

The conservation areas we have are simply amazing totaling 19,306 acres (yes, in Bollinger County) give and take five or ten acres. We have camping, hunting, horse trails, hiking trails, boat ramps, archery range, shooting range, bird watching and definitely more things that I have yet to encounter. I am in awe every time I go wander around in this 3000 acre natural wonderland. I find new things that I have to take a picture of so I can look it up on my computer to explain it with some knowledge to my children. What's the difference between a conservation area and a park? Like a park, a conservation area is a public land that people can enjoy. Unlike a park, a conservation area's key purpose is to provide wildlife habitat and give all Missourians a place to hunt, fish and experience nature. Some areas, such as shooting ranges and outdoor education centers, exist to help people learn and practice outdoor skills.

I must mention the food in the area is great for the whole family. One of my family's favorite places to go is Jay's BBQ where you receive food for a good two meals on one plate for around seven dollars. So far I have not found a better selection of entrees that all are good. It is hard to work downwind from the smokers and smell the ribs and BBQ and not eat there every day. We also like Jer's which is located right by the Twin City Park so after you eat the home-style cooked meal you can easily cross the bridge and walk it off while the little ones plays. Shorty's Chuckwagon is located ½ a block from the Massey House. Shorty's has the feel of a small town café that everyone goes and talks about the day and the days ahead while eating a hearty meal.

The Massey House, an 1869 log structure has porches running the full width of the front and back of the house and a "dog trot" down the middle. The house is furnished with period pieces and artifacts, including an iron cook stove and original bedstead. The Massey House also houses many exhibits on Bollinger County history. The Massey House is also located across the street from the 1885 Bollinger County Courthouse. The museum is housed in the former Will Mayfield College buildings was a school located in Marble Hill, Missouri. From 1878 to 1934, the college offered four years of preparatory school and two years of junior college work. Graduates of Will Mayfield College generally became teachers and administrators, and the college consistently claimed that there were more teachers in Missouri with Will Mayfield diplomas than from any other state college. A devastating fire in 1926 and the Depression of the 1930's led to economic difficulties and closed its doors for good in May of 1934.

I am amazed that I almost forgot about Castor River. A 142-acre valley of paradise with Smallmouth fishing, float trips, swimming, picnics, hiking and biking trails, hot showers, tent and trailer camping, basketball, horse shoes, swimming, volleyball, playground. Hunters are welcome. Tree stands are available for deer and turkey season. It is an absolute adventure to go there with your family and definitely not one you will forget anytime soon.

Of course my favorite place in the area is the Bollinger County Library (also the place of my employment!). We have over 25 internet connected computers available for the public. I have never seen us restrict time or say no to anyone who walks through the doors to hop on a computer. We also have Wi-Fi. I have traveled to many states and areas were the chances of hopping on the computer for MapQuest or email is nearly impossible. I love that we open our doors to travelers for all their needs. We also have an "honor" room where you are allowed to take a load of paperbacks and bring them back when you are done. All we do is count how many you have and we don't even ask your name. So if you are coming down to visit us for a few days stop by and check your email or Facebook and grab a few books for your trip.

One of the questions I hear a lot when I speak of our lovely community is how to get to us.

From Cape: Take Hwy 72 just a few miles Past Jackson and Turn Left at the Light onto Route 34. Drive about 16 miles to Marble Hill.

From Dexter or Sikeston: Take hwy 25 to Advance. Past McDonalds, Turn Left onto Hwy 91 just a few blocks and then turn right still on Hwy 91, travel few miles and Hwy 91 will turn into Hwy 51 N. Once you're about 12 miles into our hill country on Hwy 51 you will run into Marble Hill.

From Popular Bluff: Several ways, but one is 60 to 51 towards Puxico, from there just stay on 51, few more miles to a stop. At stop turn left - still on hwy 51 N. then about few more curvy miles and then you will be at Marble Hill.

From St. Louis: Take I-55 to Jackson and Follow Directions above or if you don't mind many curves and hills then you can get off at exit 129 in Perryville onto Hwy 51 S. and Travel about 40 minutes to Marble Hill. Reminder, there is a Stop Sign at ( HWY 72 )Patton Junction, then about 20 more miles to Marble Hill.

From Fredericktown: Take Hwy 72 to Patton Junction. Turn Right onto 51 S. and then follow it to Marble Hill.