"The Show-Me State"

Welcome to Missouri

Missouri/Arkansas border on I-55
December 31, 2005

I've always liked the Show-Me state as Missouri's nickname, although I'm not sure how it applies. Missouri is a great midwestern state: a good combination of farm lands and cosmopolitan cities. My trip here was the first time I didn't drive the entire way (thankfully), since I flew into St. Louis for road trip down to San Antonio, Texas, to see the Michigan football team. While people may say otherwise, I would say that St. Louis and not Chicago is the capital of the midwest and is a lot of fun to visit. I didn't make it over to Kansas City during my trip, but I've heard that it and St. Louis complement each other very well. (UPDATE: On my Omaha trip, I spent the night outside of Kansas City, and this statement is true.)

I guess this technically isn't the first Missouri sign I passed on my trip. When I went to take a picture of the Gateway Arch, I actually crossed over into East St. Louis in Illinois, and took this picture on the way back into Missouri. I didn't like it because it was too high and taken from my car, since there was no should on the bridge. So on my return back to Missouri, it was easier to stop for this sign. I have to say this sign is terrible. It is still small and really dull. There's really nothing catchy about it and almost doesn't look different than any other green interstate sign.

Welcome to Jefferson City

December 27, 2005

I didn't like Jefferson City before I even visited it. Looking at a map, with no adjacent interstate, I knew the trip would take some time, since it would be two-lane U.S. highways the entire way. I hate it when I'm right. My trip was going from St. Louis to Oklahoma City, so I the trip to Jefferson City took probably twice as long without interstates. Upon arrival, my opinion didn't change much. The capital of the Show-Me state is small town located along the Missouri River and is littered with signs pointing out various Lewis & Clark historical sites. While I love visiting historical sites, there were just too many and it seemed like Jefferson City was just trying to make a name for itself with the most historical markers per square mile.

The capitol itself isn't anything special. This picture is taken from the steps of the state Supreme Court across the street. It is in a great location, on a little bluff overlooking the Missouri River, which is literally right behind the building. I really liked the statue of Thomas Jefferson in front of the capitol, since I would think that would be an obvious choice and would be weird if it wasn't there. Only one other monument on the grounds was also a disappointment. I liked the dome and the dark grey limestone, but the building seems fairly similar to most of the other capitols, especially Oklahoma.

Miscellaneous Missouri Symbols

State Route Sign

License Plate

Seal

Quarter