Heroes rarely believe they are deserving of the title. Perhaps that modesty is part of what makes them heroic in the eyes of their admirers. Whatever the reason for the respect in which we hold them, the Show-Me State has its fair share of ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things or lived extraordinary lives – and have earned the public accolade of Show-Me State heroes.
Although modest is not a word normally applied to Winston Churchill, he will always be a giant of history acknowledged by the world. Of course he is not an American, or even a Missourian, but there are few places that bring his story to the public with as much detail and richness as the National Churchill Museum in Fulton. Trace his life from his youth through his darkest days to his – and his country’s – finest hour.
Margaret “Molly” Brown earned a name for herself by being more than just a survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic on her maiden voyage in 1912. She helped in the evacuation, took an oar in her lifeboat and threatened to throw the crewman in charge of the boat overboard when he refused to go back to save more passengers. Many people are surprised to discover “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” was a Missourian. Discover her story at the Molly Brown Birthplace and Museum in Hannibal.
Hannibal is also the boyhood home of author Samuel L. Clemons, better known as Mark Twain. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum collection includes many first editions by Twain and the grounds provide a glimpse of many inspirations for his most popular titles.
General of the Armies John J. “Black Jack” Pershing was the highest ranking military officer in U.S. history and is a Missourian. Tour the General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site in Laclede, where he lived from age 6 until he left to attend West Point.
For some, admiration is given to heroes not of war, but of the arts. The “King of Ragtime,” Scott Joplin was born in St. Louis and you can tour the modest flat where he wrote his famous ragtime classic “The Entertainer” (and many other songs) at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site.
And for many other people, it’s heroes in the field of sports who speak to their souls. Explore the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City to discover or reconnect with the outstanding men who played the game for more than 40 years before the Major League Baseball color barrier was broken.
This list just scratches the surface, but on your search Show-Me State heroes, be sure to visit the Hall of Famous Missourians, housed in the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.