The whole family will enjoy this special day trip while visiting St. Joseph, MO. A short drive east on MO Highway 36 is where the midwestern towns of Marceline and Hamilton are located. .
Many people are familiar with Main Street attraction at Walt Disney Parks in several locations across the world. How did this attraction come about? The image was captured by Walt Disney as a young boy.
Even Walt Disney said, "One thing that is missing from these Main Streets are the real people who lived in the town,” from the New Scientist, January 1996.
This is the vacation to get acquainted with the real everyday people on Main Street, USA.
J.C. Penney Museum, Hamilton, MO
A fun stop during this car trip is to visit the J.C. Penney Museum in Hamilton, MO. This is the hometown of James Cash Penney, founder of J.C. Penney retail stores. People remember J.C. Penney as one of the first business people to refer to employees as associates and this community is quite proud of their hometown hero.
It is a valued stop to see the history and photographs of both this man and his stores. One will see Penney's first and last desks, get to sit in his last office chair, and see a wax dummy of James Penney. This museum is open daily with a $5 admission. Verify hours by calling (816) 583-2168.
Of course take the time to walk the sidewalks in the actual town of Hamilton and visit with these friendly midwestern people.
Walt Disney Hometown Museum, Marceline, MO
The idea of the Disney Parks was conceived from Walt Disney's short four years of childhood experience in Marceline which is a midwest railroad town. Walt Disney recognized this town as his home and returned for visits as an adult.
Next stop on this short journey is at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum. (660) 376-3343. The museum finds a home in the old Santa Fe Depot, 120 E. Santa Fe St. The depot is where Walt and his family got off the train from Chicago and began their many memories.
The museum is open April 1 to October 31, daily 10 to 4, Sunday 1 to 4, closed on Mondays. Tickets prices are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. The museum gift shop is open to the public without admission.
Visitors discover Walt’s story of his childhood days, family, friends, and associates who were there for him through his creative journey. Items on display are interpretative exhibits of the Disney family, hundreds of personal letters written between family members, artifacts, effects, and personal belongings from Disney family members.
Walt Disney's Favorite Places Around Town
The hometown itself is an attraction for many people to explore. Kids may have homemade ice cream or Fitz’s old-fashioned soda at Sweet Tunes while parents shop for Antiques in town. The whole family may have lunch at Ma Vic’s Corner Café.
A must see are Walt's favorite places around Marceline.
Walt’s Barn – Visit Walt’s Happy Place, a barn located on the old Disney family farm where Walt and his sister played. The barn was reconstructed through volunteer effort in 2001. Visitors may leave a written message to be read by other visitors.
The Dreaming Tree – A large cottonwood tree still stands where Walt and Ruth played and waded in the spring next to it. Walt continued to return to this place as an adult where he would spend hours with his own thoughts. Visitors may enjoy this same experience today.
Main Street, USA – This is the real street where families will recognize familiar names used in Disney Parks.
- Families may have lunch in the building, once Murray’s Department Store and where Walt’s father served an oyster dinner to local farmers in hopes of organizing a union.
- It is fun to stroll past the Zurcher building and see the original Coke mural which inspired Coke Corner at Disneyland.
- Be sure to find the specially designed street signs which were personally dedicated by Mickey Mouse.
- E.P. Ripley Park – Walt named the first steam locomotive to operate at Disneyland E.P. Ripley after the President of the Santa Fe Railroad.
- Gazebo in Ripley Park – This is where traditional Sunday concerts took place in town. Walt’s mother would spread a quilt out, sit and visit with friends. An occasional highlight was listening to Walt's father playing his fiddle.
- Walt Disney Post Office – US Postal Dept issued the Walt Disney commemorative stamp on August 24, 2004. This is the only federal building named after Disney.
- Walt Disney Park and Pool was dedicated on July 4, 1956 while Walt and Roy and their wives were in attendance.
- Midget Autopia was donated to the Disney Park and Pool by Walt and Roy. The ride was the first attraction ever to leave and be operated outside Disneyland. Today, the tracks remain and with a restored Midget Autopia vehicle visible at the museum.
Visit favorite hometown heroes Walt Disney and J.C. Penney on inexpensive family vacations in north central Missouri just outside historical St. Joseph.
(Permission was granted to use all images from the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, Marceline, MO)
Donna West - Donna West is a Writer with an uncanny ability and passion of finding unusual ideas, off the beaten path, even in everyday occurrences.
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