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Places to SeeTipton has a number of interesting places to see and things to do. This is just a small sampling: BUTTERFIELD MARKEREnd of the Rail and Start of the MailThe first trip of the Butterfield Overland Mail originated in Tipton on September 16, 1858, from what is now the corner of Moniteau Street and Osage Avenue in downtown Tipton, Missouri. In early 1857, the Post Office Department had put up for bids a contract which called for an overland mail route to California which would not exceed a time of 25 days and would run twice a week. John Butterfield was awarded the contract for $600,000. By September, 1858, he had 250 coaches, 1,800 of the best horses and mules, and 1,200 skilled superintendents, road bosses, drivers, guards, conductors, keepers, blacksmiths, harness makers, hostlers and clerks. Each driver had a 60-mile route, and armed conductors had 120-mile routes. The conductors had absolute charge of passengers and mail, and guarded them with their lives. Passenger fare from St. Louis to San Francisco was $200, and 15 cents a mile for shorter distances. The last trip from Tipton was made on March 21, 1861. Attacks by Indians forced the closing of the Gila Trail. Other trails were now in operation and the railroad lines had been extended beyond Tipton. A roadside marker commemorates Tipton as the first eastern stagecoach terminus of the Butterfield Overland Mail. It is located on Highway 50 west of the intersection of Highways 5 and 50. MACLAY HOMEListed on the National Register of Historical Places, the Maclay Home was built in 1858 as a young ladies seminary. It was closed with the advent of the Civil War. In October, 1861, Union General John C. Fremont encamped his troops in Tipton and used the vacant seminary building as his headquarters during his stay there. The minute you step inside the Maclay Home, you’ll feel that you’ve stepped back into history. The beautiful pre-Civil War home is open for public tours on the second and fourth Sundays, May through October, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tours are also conducted during the various local festivities. Cost of the tour: $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for those 12 and under. School groups can tour for $1.00 per student. Special tours by appointment. Phone (660) 433-2101 or 433-2176. PRICE JAMES LIBRARYThe history of the Price James Memorial Library in Tipton is a very interesting one. The first owner of the land where the library now stands, at 104 East Morgan, was William Tipton Seely, who purchased it on August 7, 1850. He sold it on December 4, 1859 to William P. Tooley. There were 15 other land owners from that time until May 19, 1916, when it was sold to Sterling Price James. The construction of the building came about in a strange way. W.H. Coleman, who had purchased the lot in 1891, had a very serious illness. The medicine that the doctor gave him caused him to turn blue. He sued the doctor and the company that made the medicine for $10,000 and with this money he built the attractive two-story mansion. The home was left to the City of Tipton by Olive J. Ashburst; and in 1981, the library, named after her father, was opened to the public. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call the library at (660) 433-5622. ST. ANDREW’S CHURCHA log building was erected in 1845 southwest of Tipton for the people of the Catholic faith. Priests from Jefferson City and Boonville ministered to them until Rev. H.V. Kalmer came to Tipton in 1865. The log church was moved to town and a frame building was also erected in town in 1865-1866. After years of stress and hard labor in trying to establish a church, school and pastoral residence, Rev. Kalmer resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. Hillner, under whose administration the foundation of the present church was laid but the work was discontinued for various reasons. In May 1877, Rev. Francis Kueper was sent to Tipton. He immediately began work on the collection fund for a new building. The stately Gothic church building was completed in 1883-84 at a cost of $18,000.00. Two years later, a pastoral residence was built east of the church; and in 1890, a combination school and Sisters House was erected west of the church. In October, 1904, stained glass windows depicting the Glorious and Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary were installed at a cost of $3,000. In 1921, Rev. Kueper celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. He retired from the Tipton parish in 1929. Kueper Center, named in his honor, and the present school building opened in 1940. In 1952, St. Andrew’s was remodeled with the high front and side altars removed in a modernization effort. The church was renovated again after a fire on Mother’s Day, 1985, with a slight return to the Gothic style with paint and furnishings. In 1988, the colorful stained glass windows were repaired and covered with a Plexiglas preservative. The present pastor is Rev. Henry Reichart and the rectory phone number is (660) 433-2162 TIPTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOn May 9, 1867, Rev. J. Addison Whitaker preached a sermon to a small but interested group of people and helped them organize the first Presbyterian Church in Tipton in connection with the St. Louis Presbytery. By 1888, a total of 253 members had been admitted to the church, and in 1898, a beautiful house of worship was built at the corner of what is now Highway B and Howard Street in Tipton. Recently, because of so few members left, the board deeded the building to Historic Tipton to preserve and restore. Several years ago the stained glass windows were restored to their near original appearance, and under the guidance of Historic Tipton the steeple and belfry have been restored. The church remains virtually as it was built and the furnishings are original. On July 4,1992, the 125th anniversary of the church was celebrated. Services are still held once a month on the first Sunday. The Gracious Tea Room is now available to small groups, minimum 15 people, maximum 40 people. Various menus are available, but reservations are necessary. For more information on the Tea Room or preservation efforts contact Iola Potts at (660) 433-2150, or Lucy Layne at (660) 433-2175. TIPTON CITY PARKTipton City Park offers four large shelter houses with barbecue grills, a ball field, two sand volleyball courts, a basketball court, restrooms, playground with large mounds for sledding and playing, a caboose, a fishing lake with ducks, horseshoe pits, and a walking trial around the lake. Located on South Ferguson Street, the park is open year round. For reservations call City Hall. MANITO LAKE WILDLIFE AREAManito Lake wildlife Area is a wildlife area of 851 acres with a 77 acre lake managed for multiple use. Fishing, hunting, hiking and watching wildlife are primary uses. The area has toilets, paved handicapped fishing, jetty, and a board launching ramp. Outboard motors not larger than 10-HP are permitted. Special fishing regulations are posted on bulletin boards at parking areas. No camping or swimming is allowed and the area closes at 10:00 p.m. Manito Lake Wildlife Area is located near Fortuna, MO. Contact: Missouri Department of Conservation, P. O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 for detailed information and map.
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