Where was "Uncle Ike's" post office located (Notch, MO?)? Are there any markers or buildings that indicate where it once stood? Just curious.
It was Harold Bell Wright's story, "The Shepherd of the Hills," published in 1907, that gave lasting fame to "the post office at the Forks." Morrill read a description of his great grandfather's domain from the opening of Chapter 22 of Wright's story.
The little building became a tourist attraction, and in 1979 the outbuilding and the Morrill home were awarded a listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Morrill family retains ownership of the land and buildings, which are now closed to the public.
Here is the form from the National Registry for the Nomination of Morrill's Land
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/79001397.pdf (http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/79001397.pdf)
There is a map here, but it IS on private land.
Thanks Rube! I'm suprised they don't open it up for tours. You'd think they could do a pretty good little business there.
Very interesting little history, and geography lesson there! I had no idea that this area was still in existence today. I always find it fascinating to experience tangible evidence of those who visited the Ozarks decades before me. Thanks for the link rube. :)
The post office is still at Notch...for many years you could saddle up and ride horses at the property. But, after reading Rube's posting, I don't know if they still are open! You can pass by the property, located just west of SDC on Highway 76. If you are going west, the property is on the right hand side of the road. By the way, The Evergreen Cemetery property just east of SDC on Hwy 76 is the resting place for many people connected to the Shepherd of the Hills. I think the Lynch sisters of Marvel Cave fame are buried there...as is Mary Herschend, founder of SDC. I think the memorial stone for Hugo Herschend is just that, but I'm not sure. For some reason I want to say he is actually buried in the Chicago area, but I am not sure. (Herschends moved to Branson from Chicago, where Hugo was a retired Electrolux employee) Uncle Ike donated the cemetery property for use as a cemetery. He himself is buried there under the name Levi Morrill. That was his real name.
Indeed they are there Junior.
Mary and Hugo are both marked on the same headstone
Genevieve and Miriam Lynch
William Henry Lynch
Truman and Helen Powell
Levi Morrill
Charles A Vining
Lester Vining
There's a website advertising "Uncle Ike's Trail Ride" is this the same place?
http://www.uncleikestrailride.com/guidelines.php
Yes, this is the same place. I recommend you stop by and see the post office and ride a horse too. If you are a big fan of Shepherd of the Hills, it's a must see. Most of the old buildings associated with the book or characters from the book are gone. I am aware that the Mandy Ford Cabin was still around as of the last few years, located on private property down the road from the SDC Wilderness, and I think the Fiddlin' Jake cabin might still be around...located on private property, too. Neither are open to the public.
Sadly, I think the Jim Lane Cabin that stood near the Entrance of Mutton Hollow for years and years fell into disrepair and to vandalism, and was torn down in the 1990s. This is a sad example of how the old things of Branson are cleared away to make room for new attractions with no historical base in the community.
That is the unfortunate part Junior. No matter what man erects on the surface, the Earth always has a way of "repairing" itself over time. It just really stings when vandals, and demolitionist speed up the process. However, as long as we all keep sharing the stories of the past, the knowledge will live on forever. :)
The trail rides were on my short list of things to do this spring/ summer. I am looking forward to it for several reasons (I love the book, and also I have never ridden a horse). Now I am not some city-fied Ollie Stewart like character, I have just never had the opportunity to ride a horse thats all! It'll be a two-fer, two things I like at once.
You can rest assured if you ride a trail horse in Branson, the horse has walked the trail so many times he will not get wild...the trail horses are very gentle. The guy who ran the trail rides at the old Mutton Hollow attraction sold my stepdad a couple of horses we kept at first on rental property at Kimberling City and later at a house in the country we had north of Branson. Very gentle horses. They appreciated the fact they were not walking that ole trail, too! They enjoyed being "free" to roam pastures without having a bunch of people around. So enjoy a trail ride in Branson, the scenery is nice and it is a quiet, peaceful way to spend a bit of time.
Details to come...
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photo-1.jpg)
This week I was able to find a free morning to make it over to check an item off of my bucket list...I rode a Horse!
After stopping by in person to find out ride times, I was told to return the following morning around 8:30 to join another group (since I was riding solo).
Upon arrival I noticed a problem, I was the only one there! The workers offered to call me when a group arrived, but I opted to stay for at least 15-20 minutes before leaving. Just about the time I was deciding to leave, a family showed up for a ride. The ride itself was very relaxing. Following (from what our guide said) some of the same mail routes followed by Levi and his son. My horse Jackson was very easy going, and as Junior said earlier, pretty much knew the trail and direction, and I only needed to use the reigns a few times in the 2.5 mile ride.
The main draw of this specific trail ride over any of the others was the namesake "Uncle Ike" and his post office/ homestead. The photos were terrible (since the post office was backlit with the morning sun) So I arranged with the owners to return later in the day when the light was better.
Very cool. This has been on my list for a while also, but I'm a little concerned about the weight rule on the horses. I was wanting my 5 yr old to ride with me but that would put us well over the 250lb limit. I'm about 240 by myself so I'm hoping even if go solo, they don't have a scale there! ;D
I totally understand. Unfortunately they do have a scale on the premises (I am unsure of the accuracy seeing that it is a simple bathroom scale that more than likely is stored outside, but it probably is pretty close enough). They do allow "carry" riders, but I am assuming they would incorporate that into the overall total.
If you haven't gotten a look at it yet, and are a fan of the SOTH legacy, check out this Dept. of Interior-Parks Services Application for the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM. It details square footage, materials, usage, and all other pertinent details.
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/79001397.pdf (http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/79001397.pdf)
Thanks, Rube. Interesting find!
I painstakingly reenacted several of the postcards...here is one of the several that I attempted.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/ike.jpg)
Very cool Rube!
Poor building has lost a bit of its luster over the years, but hey at least it is still standing. :)