An afternoon to burn found an old campground of the Sante Fe, Oregon, and California trails in Raytown, Missouri. The quiet little spot at the corner of Gregory and Blue Ridge Boulevards, known as Cave Spring at Barnes Enclosure, offers a slice of the variety in the history of the Kansas City metro area.
The interpretive center stood closed on this Sunday afternoon. A playground for children stands a brief distance down the trail and a myriad of paths crisscross the area beyond that point. The first encounter with the namesake occurs almost immediately. A few old boards and other neglected items littered the entrance to the minor hollow in the earth, from which water trickles downstream to join with a small cascade further down the path.
Aside from identification by the Daughters of the American Revolution as an important camp site for the Sante Fe Trail, history extends beyond that single commercial use. This spot and surrounding lands were once owned by the grandfather of President Harry Truman. Indeed, an article in Life Magazine from 1945 reflected on a time when the the President-to-be "often picnicked with friends at Cave Spring ...," among other places around the state.
A few decades later in the 1920's, a couple opened a private country club on the land, hosting cabins, boating, swimming, fishing, and a nine hole golf course. It lasted until owners, distraught by the loss of their son in World War II, closed the resort. The only evidence remaining of what was likely a cozy little spot for the relatively wealthy of Kansas city are a graveyard of stone chimneys.
It was here that we paused to ask a passing woman if she could explain the chimneys, immediately discovering good fortune. We had happened into the very soul responsible for ensuring preservation of this piece of history, Sylvia Mooney. She had moved in next door to the park in the mid-1970's. An artist with a love for nature and history, almost immediately organized a not-for-profit organization to preserve the historic landmark site in its natural state for the good of all future generations.
A location like this takes a huge effort o support and maintain. Restoration and improvements to the site are ongoing and minimally disruptive, supported by local residents, Boy Scouts, and other volunteers. Associated wetland growth is mostly reestablished its hold on infrastructure and waterfowl enjoy the resident pond these days. It is a worthy afternoon outing for any that happen to be in the area, and will likely never look the same twice.
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Further Reading
Cave Spring Association
Raytown Chamber of Commerce
Life Magazine - June 25, 1945
Google Books
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