Looking Back: Small Items, Big History

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

While looking through one of the collections housed at the Historical Society, I ran across a pamphlet titled “Information Directory of Grain Valley, Missouri”. Although it isn’t dated, it was probably published in late 1930’s.

The directory was printed compliments of the advertisers which included Grain Valley Grain Company, the Bank of Grain Valley, A.M. White Ice Co., Storms Pharmacy, Kirby Orchards, E. C. Huff Auto Repair, White Grocery & Restaurant, Chas. O. Ryan A.G. Grocery, Sims Barber Shop, The Valley Store, Bill’s Market, Mrs. G. B. Webb and Sons Furniture and Undertaking, and the Oak Grove Banner. By my count, that’s four grocery stores. In this post-depression period, the good citizens of Grain Valley didn’t lack for food.

Information in this small, 6 x 12 - inch folded pamphlet included a time table for the bus going both east and west via Independence, a separate bus to Kansas City, as well as the east and west bound Baltimore & Ohio train times. At the date of publishing, Porter Rumbo was mayor, E. A. Snodgrass was the City Clerk and other city officials included Bill Tucker, Walter Hoehn, and Floyd Sharp. There was also information for the motorist, which mainly included the distance to nearby towns and major cities in Missouri. The facts about Grain Valley were also a part of the pamphlet.

This is merely one small item among the hundreds that can be found at the Historical Society Museum. It is our goal to continually add new “old stuff” to our collection. Come by and visit on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. or make an appointment to visit at your convenience.

If you have a particular interest, we can help with research about topics such as Pink Hill, Stony Point, and Grain Valley. We have photos, memorabilia, and some genealogy information in our collection. Visit our website, www.grainvalleyhistory.com, or follow us on Facebook (@grainvalleyhistory) for more information.