[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18773-18774]
[From the U.S. 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

[[Page 18774]]

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.

                          ____________________