Advertise on podcast: Small Town Showcase

You’ll find Excelsior Springs about 40 minutes northeast of Kansas City. It grew to the height of its popularity due to its abundant springs and natural mineral waters, which made the town a destination spa community. Today, Excelsior Springs is a wonderful example of what happens when a small town understands the importance of preserving historic spaces and investing in a vibrant downtown. People might not come to Excelsior Springs for the same reasons as they did 100 years ago, but they’re still finding that same charm and distinctive energy.

We're cruising on into Waynesville, located in Pulaski County and home to about 5,400 people.  Between road warriors on Route 66 and military families from Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville has become a melting pot.  And that’s just the start. There are so many layers to Waynesville's story. From its place in Trail of Tears history, its complicated role in the Civil War, and the heyday of Route 66, each piece of this community’s past plays a big role in its identity today.

Our featured community this episode is Savannah, Missouri, located in Andrew County in northwestern Missouri. It has a population of just about 5,000 people, but the unique businesses, cultural offerings, parks, food, and events rival those of communities two or three times its size.

Perryville is a community of just over 8,000 people about 80 miles south of St. Louis, and honestly, it is almost overwhelming how much this town has to offer. From natural history sites to museums, restaurants, historic properties, and more, Perryville is a true small town destination in the Show Me State with many layers of history to explore. For this conversation, I’m joined by Perry County Heritage Tourism Director and Missouri Humanities Board Member Trish Erzfeld, along with Perryville City Administrator Brent Buerck.

We’re heading to the far northwest corner of Missouri to the town of Tarkio, in Atchison County. Once a bustling railroad and college community nestled along the Tarkio River, this little town of just about fifteen hundred people has a story that’s equal parts grit and revival. From the legacy of Tarkio College, which is experiencing a rebirth after decades of silence,  to local landmarks and its historic downtown, Tarkio is a place where history and hometown pride run deep.

Elsberry is a Mississippi River community that has seen both trials and triumph. From its early days as a railroad community to its growing downtown businesses, Elsberry’s story is a testament to small town perseverance and preservation.

Prairie Home, Missouri, stands as the smallest Small Town Showcase featured community thus far...but as we've learned, small towns do big things! Prairie Home is a town where residents truly depend on one another to ensure community success and resilience, and they strive to prove that population size is just a number. For example, check out their Prairie Home Free Fair, an annual summer tradition for over 100 years! It's the perfect example of community pride and support.

Potosi is a town in the Missouri Ozarks with a population of about 2,500 people. This community is surrounded by natural beauty, and some of Missouri's finest state parks are found in the vicinity. It's also an area with deep roots and rich history, with original settlers dating back to the early 1760s and much of its story tied to bountiful lead mining in the region. Potosi proudly celebrates its history through annual festivals, commemorative signage, and historic sites, and the town's story keeps its citizens actively engaged in propelling the community forward.

Our featured community for this episode is a true piece of American History: Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. This small river community of about 5,000 people is hailed as the first permanent European settlement West of the Mississippi River, giving Ste. Gen major historical significance not just for Missouri, but nationally as well. Almost 300 years later, the town is brimming with historic charm, engaging and exciting events, and a yearn to share their story with more people, enticing them to experience Ste. Gen’s many offerings.

Marceline is your quintessential small town, where you’ll find a historic main street district with shops, restaurants, and other unique businesses. They also have a tie to one of the most famous people in entertainment and cinema history, as the boyhood home of none other than Walt Disney. Hear from two Marceline residents who are dedicated to telling Marceline's story.

Albany is the county seat of Gentry County in Northwest Missouri. It’s beautiful scenery, with lots of rivers and streams, century farms with rolling hills and old barns, and a vibrant downtown. For a town of its size, it's remarkable to see so many thriving businesses, community groups, events, and most of all, restaurants. When asked why this is possible when towns even 5x their size can’t compete with their amenities, Albany residents say it all comes down to the support of the people here and the proximity to other smaller towns that come to Albany to take advantage of all they have to offer.

Carrollton, Missouri, located in Carroll County, is a town of movers and shakers with one eye always looking to the future. Whether it's the revitalization of their main street district, sitting on the planning committees of community events, or leading the charge fundraising for new assets in the community, the people of Carrollton are dedicated to making sure that their town only gets better for future generations.

Aurora is home to about 7,400 people in Lawrence County, Missouri, near Springfield. The pride people have in this town and its strong sense of place are what make Aurora such a thriving, progressive community. There are many ways that this town is dedicated to success, such as beautification efforts, free programs for families, and preserving its story through murals, podcasts, exhibits, and more. The Houn' Dawg pride is strong in Aurora--listen to see for yourself!

Just about 30 miles west of St. Louis sits the town of Pacific, Missouri. While many communities that surround bigger cities have been affected by urban sprawl, the same effect doesn’t seem to have reached Pacific. Though its proximity to a major highway, large cities, and attractions give it the amenities, as you learn about the community, you’ll soon realize that Pacific has fully retained its small town charm, energy, and atmosphere.

Welcome to where the past meets the Current..the Current River that is. In this episode, travel with us to Doniphan, deep in Southern Missouri. Here, the Current River is their life’s blood. The history of the community is rooted in it, it's an invaluable tourist attraction, and it's also a symbol for the importance of conserving natural history and resources. Jake and Randy join us for this conversation and reflect on this town that’s steeped in history, culture, and community pride.