Author Archives: admin

OSCEOLA Book Signing

Many thanks to Larry Lewis of Osceola for arranging our presentation to the St. Clair County Historical Society last week. With Larry’s recommendation and the support of Angie Jones, Director of the St. Clair County Library, we were invited to … Continue reading

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KANSAS CITY STAR – 53 years ago today – CORPS RECOMMENDS ADDING POWER GENERATION TO KAYSINGER BLUFF DAM

Twelve years after authorization of what was then called Kaysinger Dam, and a little more than two years before the actual groundbreaking commencement of construction, Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen. W. K. Wilson, Jr. recommended to the Secretary of … Continue reading

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“WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A DAM ON THE OSAGE RIVER AFTER YOU’VE BOUGHT IT?”

In Damming the Osage we question the wisdom of the seven multipurpose Corps of Engineers dams and reservoirs built on the Osage River. The case we make against these public works projects is based on the flawed logic of the … Continue reading

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THE CORPS PREPARES TO JETTISON LOCK AND DAM NO. 1

After half a century of headaches the Army Corps of Engineers ceased operation of Lock & Dam No. 1 ten miles from the junction of the Osage and Missouri rivers. It saw little traffic and was a maintenance nightmare. We … Continue reading

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DAMS and LOUIS EGAN ON HYPERCOMMON.COM

Lens & Pen has launched a new website (in addition to Dammingtheosage.com and our publishing site beautifulozarks.com). HYPERCOMMON.com will be a platform for a wide range of interests, encompassing our more than passing interest in pop culture. One of those … Continue reading

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OSAGE PEACE MEDAL PRESENTED TO POPE PAUL VI

On April 2, 1975, Sylvester J. Tinker, Chief of the Osage Nation, presented to Pope Paul VI at the Vatican a solid silver Osage Peace Medal, saying: “I present this Medal as a symbol of peace and friendship and ask … Continue reading

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LITTLE (SQUATTER’S) HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE: LAURA INGALLS WILDER FAMILY – TRESPASSERS ON OSAGE LANDS

One of the joys of research is a road trip. Working on Damming the Osage took us the length of the Osage River and across areas of Missouri and Kansas that were once the domain of the Osage Indians. Early … Continue reading

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COLLAPSE OF BROWN’S FORD BRIDGE ON OSAGE RIVER

This “swinger” over the Osage at Brown’s Ford was built between 1912 and 1915 by E.A. Bledsoe and Ira Alspach, who also built the suspension bridge at Monegaw Springs.  (see earlier post here) On June 21, 1940, the aging Brown’s … Continue reading

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WILLMORE LAKE SITES Brochure, Lake of the Ozarks

“Escape the pressure of the city for a life at the Lake!” proclaims this late 1940s or early 1950s real estate brochure.  (click to enlarge) Interior copy promises a private domain to armchair shoppers reading and dreaming from their harried … Continue reading

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SUSPENSION BRIDGE AT MONEGAW SPRINGS

“Swinging Bridge, Monegaw” (click to enlarge) Incredible 6 x 8 cabinet photograph of the SUSPENSION BRIDGE AT MONEGAW SPRINGS. Joe Dice wasn’t the only builder of suspension bridges in the Osage River valley. The plaque on this bridge reads: “19-Monegaw … Continue reading

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