The Patee House Museum had been noted on a previous excursion into the city just the week before. There had not been sufficient time to investigate then, but it had promised a lot more than met the eye, on first examination. It did not disappoint, except in the area of lacking sufficient time to investigate. The museum itself proved as exciting as flying on a Pegasus at a smooth 3 kph. The collection held here is plentiful and amazing, touching on nearly every aspect of regional existence since the inception of the hotel in 1858. In particular for this adventure, access to a working carousel salvaged from an amusement park on Lake Contrary at the turn of the 20th century.
Exhausting most of the afternoon, everything in the hotel had still not revealed itself. Another visit is undoubtedly in order as a proper investigation really will require a full day. Finding our way down to nearby Patee Park, we managed a bit of shade beside the 1937 Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy locomotive that once hauled both freight and passengers across the mid-west during the same period.
On the other side of that, in addition to a playground that enabled some of the crew to blow off some steam, preparations for the Pony Express Pumpkin Fest were well underway. Vendors unpacked their wares in preparation for huge profits, in the shadow of a great wall of pumpkins emblazoned with names of various sponsors and hosts. The scene was set for a great gathering. A closer inspection of this particular ritual would have to wait for a smaller party or more escorts.
... Further Reading ...
Pony Express Historical Association
St. Joseph Memory Lane
rgusrail.com
Pony Express Museum
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