Cedar County Historical Society Research Library project is in progress

By Judy Nichols

The Cedar County Historical Society met at the museum in Stockton on Monday, April 27. Members present were: President Judy Nichols, Vice President Chris Barber, Treasurer Sheila Griggs, Judith Cain, Anna Hopkins, Virginia Barber, Heather Smith, Joe Phillips and Ellis Benham. The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited. The March minutes and treasurer’s reports were approved.

Sheila Griggs stated that she would like to move forward with an October, Stockton Cemetery Walk as discussed in previous meetings. New member, Heather Smith, explained in detail how it would work and how other societies presented the programs. Members agreed that the society would have her check into the details to see if it could be accomplished this year. She will share the information at the next meeting in May.

Joe Phillips asked for an update on the Caplinger bridge land auction in March. Apparently, the land was not sold, since there has been no new warranty deed recorded for that parcel listed in the index at the Cedar County Recorder’s office. There have been several versions of the story circulating, so the true outcome is not certain at this time since the society uses documents to confirm stories.

An update and some history was shared about the historic Hoff House on East 32 Highway in Stockton. Kendra Jones Morris purchased the house from Bernard Mitchell’s descendants. He had purchased it from the Hoffs in the early 1980’s. It is also believed that the Hoff family purchased the house from the Russell Lilburn Estate in the mid to late 1860’s (no deed has been found yet). Lilburn purchased the house from Doctor William Blake (both Cedar County founders) in 1860. Dr. William Blake’s wife, Sarah, was the daughter of Russell Lilburn. The Blakes purchased the house from the United States Government as a land patent in 1848. It is believed that the west portion of the house was built circa 1855. The Hoff house is suggested to be the oldest home still standing in Cedar County, at 309 East Street in Stockton.

Russell Lilburn was killed on Christmas Day, 1863, when he came home from the Civil War to visit his family. He was the commander of the “Stockton Grays” and was apparently killed by Union sympathizers. Kendra has spent the past year repairing the house in anticipation for her new venture,“A Historic Venue and Gathering Place at Stockton Lake.” She has had the house re-shingled, replaced the older porch posts with round wooden columns, replaced windows and is adding a covered porte-cochere (drive-through porch) to an east entryway with columns that match the front porch. She will focus on some repairs on the inside soon and plans to keep the interior original. The new columns on the front porch will give the house a historic Greek Revival appearance. She will then add updated photos and further information to her website. The society hopes to visit the house when the project is finished.

Parker Kenney was not able to attend the meeting, but shared information about her new Cedar County History blog, “The Backyard Dispatch,” at https://thebackyarddispatch.blogspot.com/?m=1 . A Cedar County Historical Society website was also discussed.

The Research Library project, inventorying maps, labeling them and storing them on the new map rack is in progress. More supplies for the project has been ordered.

The publication inventory is still on hold for now and will be completed when some boxes are opened and re-counted. Members will work on it as time permits.

The missing torpedo level has been located in the museum, thanks to Sheila and her sharp eye.

Best Choice labels will no longer be collected by the society, so they will donate what has already been collected to another group.

Jill Ritchie donated an old photo of a parade in Jerico Springs when the Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) Lodge building was dedicated between 1908 and 1910.

Members discussed reprinting the 1961 Cedar County Atlas book to sell. Judy Nichols will check with printers to see if it needs to be reformatted to be spiral bound.

Judy Nichols noted that the Preserve Our Past Society’s will be hosting their annual breakfast on May 9 at the Wayside Inn Museum in El Dorado Springs, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. The Route 54 Cruisers will also hold a car show on Main Street that morning.

Members discussed the upcoming Walnut Festival in September and the annual White Elephant Sale at the museum. Whether to have a booth in the park this year has not been decided upon yet.

The museum will be open on Saturday, May 2 and 16 from Noon to 4 p.m. and Monday, May 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. Due to Memorial Day falling on Monday, May 25, the next monthly meeting has been moved to Monday, May 18 at 1 p.m. at the museum.

The Cedar County Museum and Research Library are located at 106 Davis Street in Stockton. For information, appointments or to purchase publications, call 417-276-1142, by email at cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com, on Facebook at “Cedar County Mo Historical Society” or by mail at P.O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785.