Fall has arrived, but so far it is making a feeble attempt at color. With luck, more intense colors should appear in another couple of weeks. In the meantime, we appreciated what little Fall had to offer while at Shoal Creek Living History Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. The buildings were closed during our visit, but our purpose was to enjoy the great outdoors, so no problem. We had the entire place to ourselves and it proved to be a wonderful way to spend the morning.

Shoal Creek Living History Museum got its start in 1975. It is a replica of a 19^th century village with 21 structures, 13 of which are authentic buildings dating from 1807-1885. The historic buildings were relocated from surrounding counties to create the community which nestles quietly on 80 acres in Hodge Park. During special events, the buildings are open, and live re-enactments give visitors an idea of village life through skits and demonstrations.

Near the museum entrance, we caught a glimpse of the bison herd that roams the park.

Mt. Ararat Baptist Church has a prominent location near the center of the settlement. It was built in 1884 near Fayette, MO and was used until 1985 when it was moved to Shoal Creek.

The Grist Mill was built on site and is a reproduction of an 1824 mill built by Humphrey Smith along the Platte River near Smithville, MO. It was my favorite structure at the village, and look… a little Fall color!

The Daniel W. Hughes cabin is a “double dogtrot”: three cabins connected by a breezeway all under a common roof. The cabins, one of which was a cooking cabin, were constructed around 1830.

The unique City Hall structure was built in Missouri City in 1868. It was used until 1915 when it collapsed. The ruins were gifted to Shoal Creek in 1977 where it was reconstructed. The lower level of the building was a jail whose last prisoner was a deserter from Fort Leavenworth, KS.

The Arnold home was moved to Shoal Creek in 1976 but was built in 1830. It was known as “The Cedars” because of the beautiful cedar trees that grew near the house in Claycomo, MO. The home was so well built that it required very little repair for over 75 years.

Constructed by William Stribling in 1835, the Stribling cabin is two stories in height and was used as a residence as late as the 1940’s. Its original location was along the Fishing River north of Liberty, MO.

The Eldorado School was built in 1880 by Peter S. Peterson, a carpenter from Sweden. It was originally located in a rural area near the town of Tracy in Platte County, MO. The school was closed in 1952 when consolidation of rural districts forced students to be bused into town.

Built in the 1800’s, the barn was originally part of the Sam Ray farm located next to Hodge Park. It is currently used as a blacksmith shop because of its large, centrally located brick forge.

The former home of Col. John Thornton was originally constructed sometime before 1820. Col. Thornton was an army commander, a politician, and a county judge who often held court in his home.

The Crossroads Inn was originally a private home constructed in the 1830’s by John W. Reynolds, who had 14 children.

Currently used as a doctor’s office with medicinal gardens, this structure was originally the home of Isaac Neff. It was constructed sometime prior to 1855 near the community of Roosterville in Clay County, MO.

Several other buildings and displays complete the Shoal Creek community. We enjoyed our time here so much that I recommend a visit if you are ever in the Kansas City area. It should be especially lovely in the next few weeks when the autumn leaves have reached their peak of color!