As Cole County presiding commissioner, I have been going out for drives in the county to discover, and rediscover, our communities, low-water crossings and unique natural spots. Cole County has more than 450 miles of roads, and I hope to travel them all.
My wife grew up in Westphalia; so we visit Osage County often, and as a child, I remember the old, scary, narrow bridge crossing the Osage River into Cole County and the curvy old Highway 50, the "Bloody Bucket" stretch, and the old Troop F Highway Patrol buildings as you came into Jefferson City.
Going back to the Osage River Bridge, the first one I remembered was built in 1922, and replaced in the late 1950s. Before that, for nearly a century, you had to cross the Osage River by ferry at Lisletown, today Mari-Osa Delta, at Huber's Ferry. From the Cole County side if you look up on the bluffs to the right of the bridge you'll see the Huber barn and house.
Moving east into Cole County you will see the spire of St. John's Lutheran Church built in 1889. This is now Schubert, an unincorporated area at the Taos exit.
Lorenzo Schubert arrived in Cole County in 1842 and bought land at Osage Point on the Lisletown Road. In the late 1860s, Osage Point moved further west to the intersection of St. Louis Road and the Osage City-Tuscumbia Road. The first St. John's Church was built in 1869, and a village grew up around it. This included the Schubert General Store, a blacksmith shop, barber shop, cafe, garage and chicken hatchery. The Palace Inn, a dance hall and bar, is fondly remembered by many old-timers.
Unfortunately, in the mid 1970s, the new four-lane improvements on U.S. 50 and 63 destroyed many of the buildings in Schubert.
Today, whether you drive east or west near the Osage River, you still see the beautiful spire of St. John's Lutheran church, which still has a strong congregation.
Cole County and so many interesting townships, with great histories. As I visit more of them, I will write about their uniqueness. Next month, as we prepare for winter, I want to recognize our Cole County Public Works. This is a wonderful county to live in, and I enjoy spotlighting what makes us so special.
Sam Bushman is the presiding commissioner on the Cole County Commission. He shares his perspective each month on county issues. He can be reached at [email protected].