Editorial Ideas
Carthage, Missouri – America’s Maple Leaf City

Maple Leafs, Artists, and Architecture, Oh My! - Look up! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s the beautiful maple trees of Carthage, Missouri! Known as America's Maple Leaf City, Carthage celebrates the pure beauty of autumn the third week of October each year with its Maple Leaf Festival that includes a large parade. There’s also a Victorian Christmas Home tour and the Midwest Gathering of the Artists that features the work of area artists each year. The Marion Days festival attracts over 40,000 Vietnamese-American Catholics who attend this week long religious celebration at the Congregation of the Mother Coredemptrix in Carthage. Summer highlights the produce of area growers at the relaxed Farmers Market at the downtown Square, the same place you can find frequent Friday night concerts and jam sessions with area musicians. No matter what time of year, there is always something happening in Carthage!

She’s Got The Power - She was a woman who appreciated the history of the area and wanted to commemorate it. She was Marian Powers Winchester and she left a bequest to the City of Carthage which established this modern piece of architecture that houses the city’s Powers Museum, a history museum. Filled with old Route 66 information and an area history reference library, the Powers Museum hosts a number of rotating exhibits and public programs on history of the area for those who visit.

Relax and Unwind - Come and get your kicks on the original Route 66! Missouri offers travelers some of the most beautiful scenery in the Midwest. Bluffs and valleys, rivers and lakes, all converge to provide breathtaking and historical views of the state’s towns and cities. One of the first concrete-paved portions of Missouri's highway system was the stretch of road west of Carthage that connects it to Joplin that was laid in 1920. In 1926 this route became part of the national highway we now call Route 66. Driving along this historic route today you can visit Kellogg Lake, Powers Museum, Municipal Park, Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre, and 66 Drive-In movie theatre, the last of the original six drive-ins named after this famous road.

‘Gang’ Violence and Bloodshed in Carthage, Missouri - No matter what ‘gang’ you associate with, either the North or the South; you will be fascinated by a visit to the Civil War Museum. Carthage holds over 160 years of history and much of it is captured through exhibits in this museum, offering visitors an opportunity to step back in time. Your visit will captivate you and you’ll find artifacts and information about the Battle of Carthage and the Civil War in southwest Missouri. The focal point of this museum is the mural painted by Andy Thomas that features battle action on the courthouse square. Wandering through the museum complex will lead you to mini-displays about Belle Starr and the African-American and Native American contributions to the war, among others.

Remembering Life’s Precious Moments - She looks at you with tear-drop eyes, imploring you to stop a while and play, or to remember a special time. She’s one of several costumed figures entertaining young and old alike on the grounds at Precious Moments. Stepping onto the grounds of the Precious Moments Park lets you know you are in a special place. Beautifully landscaped and located on some of the area’s prettiest land, the Precious Moments Chapel will captivate you with over 70 murals completed by internationally known artist, Sam Butcher. There are hotel and RV accommodations not far from Precious Moments Park to house the guests.

Carthage Baked Up Some Delicious Gingerbread - Carthage has its own many versions of Painted Ladies, the Victorian homes that were established after the Civil War. The Phelps House is a mansion that easily calls to mind the opulence of the era. Decorated with period furnishings, this mansion features 10 fireplaces and hand carved woodwork and is available for special occasions. The Leggett House is also a must see. The home was built in 1901 out of Carthage Limestone by J.P. Leggett, the inventor of the coil bedspring. These are but only two of Carthage’s historical home offerings. You’ll enjoy a leisurely driving tour of the neighborhoods that house these delightful Painted Ladies, complete with warm paint colors, turrets and, of course, gingerbread!

For More Information Contact: Kate Massey at 1-866-357-8687