Johnson County Missouri Historical Society - Museum and Library

04/02/2026

The 1909 Holden, Mo. Fair featured an impressive bill that showcased the finest attractions available, all included as part of the free entertainment. The attractions included Lucille Mulhall, touted as the greatest woman rider in the world, and her Congress of Western Riders, who performed thrilling wild West sports such as bucking horse riding, roping, and tying wild cattle. Other highlights included Professor Tiller's high dive from a 90-foot ladder into a water tank, and the Four Flying DeAllons' aerial performances on triple and single bars. The fair also featured daily balloon ascensions and parachute leaps, mule races, and plug running contests. Exhibitions for show stock horses, cattle, and poultry were also held, and the art hall was filled with an impressive array of exhibits. Each day brought spirited speed contests with substantial purses.

03/29/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/14GPzVyMQw9/

Anna Lou Peterson poses with her dolls in Lafayette County, Missouri, ca. 1910s. The doll to the right of her wears a sash reading "Votes for Women."
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"Anna Lou Peterson," Leonard D. and Marie Rehkop Collection of Algert T. Peterson Photographs, (C3888). See more photos from the collection here: https://tinyurl.com/AlgertTPeterson
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03/26/2026

As we wrap up Womens History Month, we honor the distinguished Mrs. Fanita Baldwin Houts.
She served as the Dean of Women at Central Missouri State College for nearly a quarter century. A lifelong Warrensburg resident, she affiliated with the college in 1921 and retired in 1945. House held both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education degrees from the college and attended the University of Missouri for a year, as well as Columbia University for summer coursework. Born in Warrensburg in 1873 to Roderick and Albertine Tabor Baldwin, who settled in the area after the Civil War, she was raised in a prominent family. Her father, a Union Army veteran, built the family home at 921 North Holden Street and published the Warrensburg Standard, which later merged with the Holden Herald. Prior to her marriage to Warrensburg attorney Oliver Lee Houts in 1904, she taught in Warrensburg public schools and Kansas City. Following her husband's death in 1912, House remained active in various clubs and church organizations, including the Art Books and Crafts Club and the Warrensburg chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Notably, she served as the second president of the ABC Club and regent of the DAR chapter. Her contributions also included helping establish a public library, and she was honored at the 15th anniversary of the DAR chapter. Houts was a member of the Presbyterian Church and played an active role in its women's organizations.
Houts Hall at UCM was named in her honor.

03/19/2026

In honor of Women's History Month, we honor our own history making Rose Marie Kinder . To read more about her publications, see our article by Gregory D Bontz on our website in the 2025 Fall Bulletin fall-2025-news-final-1.pdf https://share.google/OQvkx7PHiPKeFhl78

03/19/2026

Martha Haller from Holden Mo.
1938 Daily Star-Journal.
Another amazing woman to be celebrated during Women's History Month. Click picture to read article.

03/18/2026

In recognition of Women's History Month, we celebrate the legacy of Pauline A. Humphrey. The Pauline A. Humphreys Education Building at CMSC was dedicated in 1954 to commemorate her remarkable service, as acknowledged by the board of regents. Following a distinguished career, Miss Humphreys retired from CMSC, where she held the position of professor emeritus of education, after nearly forty years of dedicated service to the faculty. Her home was located at 137 Grover Street. Before joining CMSC's faculty in 1912, she gained experience at the Carnegie Institute and the Ethical Culture School in New York City. Miss Humphreys was a trailblazer in educational leadership, serving as president of the Missouri State Teachers Association and founding the state's first Future Teachers of America chapter. Her national roles included vice presidency of Cap Delta Phi and founding Delta Cappa Gamma for women teachers. Recognized for her excellence, she was listed in Who's Who in Education for over ten years and participated in various educational and civic organizations. At CMSC, she led the education department from 1924 and the teacher education division from 1945, before taking on the role of directing the testing service.

03/17/2026

Top of the day! May the wind be always at your back. We wish you a happy St. Patrick's Day.
Here is a clipping from The Daily Star-Journal March 17, 1914

03/12/2026

Today, in celebration of Women’s History Month, we honor the life and
legacy of Anna Marie Todd, an educator whose dedication shaped
generations of students and left a lasting mark on our community.

Photo credit,
The Rhetor Yearbook in 1926,

Professor Todd devoted her life to teaching and to the power of
language. She joined the faculty of Central Missouri State College in
1908 and spent decades inspiring students with her love of English and
learning. Over the years, she became not only a respected scholar but
also a cherished mentor whose influence reached far beyond the
classroom.

Anna Marie Todd was born on October 20, 1882, in Seneca, Kansas, the
daughter of teachers Milton and Mary Elizabeth Daly Todd. Raised in a
family that valued education, she followed in their footsteps. She
studied at the State Normal School in Cheney, Washington, later
teaching there before beginning the chapter of her life that would
connect her forever to Warrensburg, Missouri.

In 1908, she came to Warrensburg to serve as Supervisor of English in
the Laboratory School. By 1914, she had joined the college’s English
Department as an associate professor. Her commitment to scholarship
led her to study at University of Chicago, and she later earned her
master’s degree from Columbia University.

Professor Todd retired from Central Missouri State College in 1953
after more than four decades of service. Retirement did not slow her
curiosity or her spirit of adventure. She spent a summer traveling
throughout Europe and later studied for a year at University of
Cambridge before returning to Warrensburg,
where she resided many years at 302 S College Ave.

Her connection to the college remained strong throughout her life. In
fact, she was associated with the institution, first as a faculty
member and later as a retired teacher, longer than anyone in its
history at the time.

In recognition of her extraordinary dedication, the college honored
her by naming one of its women’s residence halls Todd Hall, ensuring
that generations of students would remember the woman whose passion
for education helped build the school’s legacy.

Toward the end of 1961, Professor Todd moved to Temple, Texas to be
closer to her daughter. After suffering a stroke, she passed away on
January 20, 1962, at the age of 79.

03/10/2026

The 1920s era brought many new outlets for the women of State Normal School #2 in Warrensburg. In celebration of National Women's History Month, we honor their legacy.

03/09/2026

Our condolences to all family and friends of Mrs.Clara Stevens.
https://www.sweeneyphillipsholdren.com/obituary/clara-stevens?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQb2uVjbGNrBBvasGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHjU-KSfXxpV2fHa0zwZt5Q9nsmscqEKQztWUGo-NxKgi_qJPxiltcwbN7Q3K_aem_VreirtySgru8rUHUBf32YA

Our beloved mother, Clara Reece Stevens, age 78 of Warrensburg, MO, went home to be with the Lord on February 28, 2026, while in her home surrounded by her family. She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, First Lady, a sister and a friend. Clara was born in Mayview,

03/01/2026

We celebrate influential women of Johnson County, Missouri, including historic figures like 19th-century educator and activist Carrie Nation, who studied in Warrensburg, and local figures like Flora Quick, for whom Quick City was named. These women helped shape the county through education, social activism, and breaking traditional gender roles.

Key Historical and Influential Figures
Carrie Nation (1846–1911): Known for her fervent activism against alcohol, she attended the Normal Institute in Warrensburg in 1872 to obtain a teaching certificate and later established an early model for battered women's shelters.
Flora Quick: Daughter of a wealthy landowner, she was a notable figure in the early development of the area, for whom Quick City was named.
Virginia Johnson: Recognized for her contributions to the region's history, often associated with the early development of Johnson County.
Ella Ewing (1872–1913): Known as the "Missouri Giantess" she was an internationally recognized figure from Scotland, Missouri (near the region), who used her fame to build a home and support her family.