[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 186 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF OWENSVILLE ON ITS CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

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                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2011

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of 
Owensville, located in Gasconade County in Missouri, as the community 
celebrates its centennial anniversary this year.
  What is now the City of Owensville began as an early trail called the 
Potosi to Boonslick Trail. Spurs from this main trail went to the 
current city, creating a crossroads that later became the St. Louis to 
Springfield Road and the St. James to Hermann Road called the ``Iron 
Road.''
  The city was originally laid out in 1886 by the Owensville 
Improvement Company, whose owner, Francis Owen, is the town's namesake. 
Owensville was named from the horseshoe contest in 1847 by Francis Owen 
and Edward Luster. The contest was won by Mr. Luster, but he did not 
want the town named Lusterville, and, therefore, it was named 
``Owen'sville'' in honor of his friend. Later it was condensed to 
Owensville. Owensville residents believe their city is the only place 
named as a result of a horseshoe pitching contest. Owensville was 
incorporated as a fourth-class city on May 27, 1911.
  Over the past century, industries such as a corn cob pipe factory, a 
tomato cannery, shoe factories and clay mining supported the town. 
Today, the RR Donnelly printing company and Emhart Glass Manufacturing 
are located there. Owensville is a thriving town and a proud community 
of more than 2,500 residents.
  In closing, I ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing the 
residents of the City of Owensville congratulations on their centennial 
anniversary.

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