Do you want to learn more about the Show Me State?
Let’s discover some fun facts about Missouri!
Missouri became the 24th state in 1821.
Sitting in the midwestern US, Missouri has a total of eight other states that border it!
Surrounding the state are Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.
Wow!
There is only one other state in America that has this many state borders, and that is Tennessee!
How cool!
Another fun fact about Missouri is that its name Missouri comes from a Native American word meaning “wooden canoe people”? That sure does tell you a lot about its first settlers.
How neat!
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Keep reading for more unique and interesting Missouri facts!
Fun Missouri Facts for Kids
The Tallest Monument in the Country is in Missouri
Standing tall in St. Louis, Missouri is the Gateway Arch.
Recognized as the tallest man-made national monument in the United States, the Gateway Arch is 630 feet high and 630 feet wide.
This is twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty!
Built in 1965, this “Gateway to the West” provides the perfect view of Missouri’s landscape for 30 miles in any direction!
Missouri Has a City of Fountains
Kansas City, Missouri has more fountains than any other city in America.
The very first fountain was constructed in the late 1800s, and soon thereafter, the city began building more fountains.
Some fountains were made to provide drinking water, while others were made simply to be incredible works of art such as sculpture pieces or memorials.
Today, there are more than 200 fountains that adorn Kansas City.
Also known as ‘The City of Fountains’, Kansas City celebrates its love for fountains every year on Fountain Day.
On this day, the start of fountain season begins as all of the beautiful water fountains begin to flow again.
The ‘Pony Express’ Began in Missouri
What is the Pony Express, you ask?
Well, it was a mail delivery system that began in the Spring of 1860 and ended in the fall of 1861.
With the town of St. Joseph, Missouri being the starting point for the Pony Express, mail was delivered in record time across the frontier all the way to California and back.
With the help of almost 200 different relief stations, lone horsemen carried the mail in a relay fashion by switching off the mail at a specific point (relief station).
This meant that mail was able to be delivered quickly in an average of about 10 days!
That may seem like a long time to deliver mail these days, but back then it was considered very fast!
Missouri is Home to Union Station
Situated in Kansas City, Union Station was built in 1914.
With over 100 years of passenger trains, Union Station has made its place in history and it is still in operation today.
While trains to places like Chicago and Los Angeles are currently running through, there is more to this station than just the transportation.
Union Station also features a rail history exhibit, a science center with a planetarium, shops, restaurants, and even a movie theater!
Missouri Fun Facts
The Show-Me State has definitely earned its place in the history books.
With the tallest monument, City of Fountains, a 100-year-old train station, and the start of the Pony Express, Missouri is filled with fun and fascinating facts!
Would you like to share any other fun Missouri facts?