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USA
Midwest
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Newburg, MO
Trail of Tears Memorial - Larry Baggett
1925-2003
Memorial and environment, Route 66 attraction
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Information:
Larry Baggett was visited by an old Cherokee Indian who he said looked to be about 150 years old. The old Indian told Baggett that his house was built on the Trail of Tears and it was blocking the path.
The Indian further conveyed how they were made to walk hundreds of miles and how the Cherokee had camped right near Larry's home. Sometime previously, Larry had built a stone wall adjacent to his house and the Indian told him to put stairs there because the spirits were unable to get over the wall. Well, Larry did just that. He built those stairs to nowhere and when they were complete, the knocking stopped.
Baggett originally acquired the property with the intention of building a campground, but these plans were changed when his wife died. Instead he has built a tribute to the Trail of Tears. At the entrance to his property is a stone archway labeled "Trail of Tears" that sits between a statue of himself on one side, and another pouring water out of a bucket on the other side. On the property is a number of stone walls, more statues, a wishing well, several rock gardens, and a sign that describes the plight of the American Indians who suffered along the Trail of Tears. His big stone house is constructed around three living trees.
Larry himself, is as interesting as the place that he has constructed. Though born in 1925, he claims to be only about 30 years old, because that's when he started living. Only after a doctor gave him 18 months to live, because of two heart attacks and a severe case of diabetes, did his life begin. Larry has a unique perspective on life and death and everything else in between, as he tells you about his astral travels, views on religion, astrology, and all manner of other topics.
Legends of America
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Bibliography:
On DVD - Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations, "Miles and Miles o' Mo-Tex-Arkana", KCPT, Kansas City Public Television, 1996-2001.
"Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations" by Randy Mason, Michael Murphy and Don Mayberger, 2002.
"Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations Coast to Coast Travel-o-Pedia" by Randy Mason, et. al., Kansas City Star Books, 2009. |
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