Anyways, the Pythians apparently were a secret society that believed in doing good for the community. They built this amazing building in Springfield in 1917 and used it to look after orphans, sick people and the elderly. We had a great tour guide to ourselves named Mia who was raised in Springfield and was very knowledgeable about the history of the building.
The Pythian's owned the building until 1941 and because of twindling useage for orphans and sick people, the U.S. army wanted to buy it and built hospitals nearby to look after wounded soldiers from the war. The army made many changes to the interior of the building.
After the war the army no longer needed the building and it went through a succession of owners and started to deteriorate. In 2003 a woman and her daughters who lived in California and had done renovations to large mansions there, decided that they wanted to renovate a castle-like building and this one was on the market. They bought it and have spent a lot of money restoring it. It has a theater room, a ballroom, and is still a work in progress. Many people in Springfield use it to hold their wedding reception. A couple getting married this fall were coming in as we were leaving to sign their contract. They offered to take our picture.
Our tour guide had many interesting stories she had learned from some of the orphans that had lived in the castle.
Our next stop was just north of Springfield. The Fantastic Caverns. Yes, you're right---we did another tour of some caverns.
This tour was done by a motorized jeep with a trailer attached. This cavern was quite a bit different than the Meramac Caverns we had seen earlier. It is amazing that these caverns are privately owned and operated. There are hundreds of them throughout Missouri.
These caverns are truly amazing. This tour took about an hour. There are parts that are so large that they were used for entertainment. Buck Owens and other famous country singers use to entertain in them.
After these two sites we were running out of time and headed for Branson. Southern Missouri is very pretty with rolling hills and lots of forests. Branson itself is quite unusual. Think of the Las Vegas strip only with a narrower main road and wall to wall entertainment places, mini golf , places to eat etc.etc.etc.
Our time share exchange is just off the main road in the middle of the entertainment area which is great. We are very pleased with our accommodation and look forward to being in one place for a week after 2 weeks of being on the move every day.
We went out after checking in and bought some groceries. We are relaxing this evening. Vicky is having a glass of wine and I'm having a black russian. Life is good. We hope everyone back home is doing well. Al Tishcer-we hope your recovery is getting better everyday.
We have WiFi access at the Colonnade where we are staying so if you want to send us an email we would love to hear from you.
Heike and Dirk---we are looking forward to hearing how the rest of your Route 66 trip is going. Also we will note the places you recommend when we continue our Route 66 adventure next year.
Were the Pythians related to the Monty Pythians? That drawl can certainly change how you perceive a word. The society of secret societies would have loved the Pythians, especially with the proximity to R. 66. They could take their motorcycles and mini cars for a drive and wear their fezzes with being publicly ridiculed.
ReplyDeleteYou have been in more caverns than Batman. When you get home, be sure to check with a doctor to see if you may have incorporated glow worm DNA.
Branson, the home of grocery shopping, mini golf, and wall to wall walls. It sound absolutely captivating and AMAZING. Keep up the narrative. I love reading what everyone else is writing especially the comments by....oh I have to answer the phone. Tomiao.
You could share pictures with the German couple or photoshop your faces into their pictures. I will try to send them a note because I sort of read their blog.
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