[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 112 (Wednesday, September 20, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   TRIBUTE TO CAVE SPRING NATURE PARK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 20, 2000

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
one of Missouri's treasured historical and natural sites as it 
celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Twenty-two years ago as a Missouri 
State Representative, I had the privilege to join the members of the 
Cave Spring Association in creating and preserving the Cave Spring 
Nature Park as one of our country's celebrated historical sites.
  The roots run deep in the area now named the Cave Spring Nature Park. 
From as far back as pre-pioneer times this site was referred to as the 
``Osage Trace.'' This name was attributed to the Indians who occupied 
the area: the Osage, Sac, Kansa, and Fox tribes. Later the area and its 
trails were surveyed and soon opened as trading routes to Santa Fe, New 
Mexico. Under the ownership of Jesse Barnes, this land would become one 
of the principal campgrounds for pioneer settlers, traders, and wagon 
trains heading west to discover the new territory. The cave spring was 
producing up to a million gallons of water a day to replenish the 
travelers and their horses, as well as creating a lush landscape.
  It was this breathtaking landscape that would later attract horseback 
riders and picnickers including the young Harry Truman and Bess Wallace 
during their courtship. A picture of the infamous cave at this site 
would later be featured in a 1945 Life Magazine edition entitled 
``Truman's Missouri.'' From 1857 to 1877 the Cave Spring was owned by 
Harry Truman's grandfather, Solomon Young. Soon the Truman family would 
build their family farm just on the outskirts of the Cave Spring area, 
which is today appropriately known as Grandview. In the following years 
the Cave Spring would be the recognized by the Daughter's of the 
American Revolution as one of the foremost significant sites along the 
historic Santa Fe Trail. Unfortunately, over the course of the next few 
decades the Cave Spring would fall into a period of dormancy and 
neglect in which the cave itself was in a ``lost'' state in which its 
whereabouts were unknown. It was not until the construction of a church 
that a large sinkhole was created which revealed the cave and 
subsequently the spring was rediscovered to a new world of 
appreciation. This brought new exploration and celebration of the Cave 
Spring and its surroundings. Soon after the rediscovery, the Cave 
Spring Association was formed to ensure that this site would receive 
the appreciation it has earned to ensure that its legacy will live on 
forever. Since 1975 the Cave Spring Nature Park and Historic Site has 
provided the northwestern Missouri region with a variety of natural and 
historic opportunities, specializing in enrichment programs for 
children, young adults, and families. The Association has worked 
tirelessly to preserve this site and the rich history that it bears.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting the Cave Spring Nature Park 
and Historic Site and the entire Cave Spring Association for 25 years 
of service to the Greater Kansas City community.




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