The City of St. Robert’s motto is “Come Grow with Us” and the growth has been tremendous over the last 70 years. With the construction of Fort Leonard Wood in 1941, the region made its start with temporary housing structures and tents for the thousands that flocked to Pulaski County for work. Throughout the next… Read more »
Category: History & Heroes
History & Heroes- Hector John Polla
Hector John Polla was born in Lexington, Missouri in 1916. He graduated from Higginsville High School and Wentworth Military Academy Junior College before heading to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1937. Upon his graduation from West Point in 1941, Lt. Polla was deployed to the Philippines and stationed on the Bataan… Read more »
Saint Robert’s Negro U.S.O. Club Chimney Memorial
By Laura Huffman As any soldier, sailor, airman, or marine will relate, a USO sign is a welcome sight. Pulaski County historian Terry Primas summarizes in his 2005 Old Settlers Gazette article that the familiar logo is a “beacon of comfort” for service members and their families and it continues to “signal support for men… Read more »
History & Heroes: Five Fast Facts- Frank H. Wielandy
Frank H. Wielandy, the “Father of Missouri State Parks,” owned and named Blue Jay Farm, now a rustic resort, near Dixon in Pulaski County, Missouri. 1. In 1928 Wielandy conducted an unsuccessful Republican primary campaign for Missouri Governor. 2. Wielandy was Missouri Fish & Game Commissioner under Governor Arthur M. Hyde. 3. Wielandy was known… Read more »
History & Heroes: Five Fast Facts- C.W. Parker
Chester West (C.W.) Parker is the namesake of Waynesville R-VI School District’s Parker Fine Arts building located on the Middle School campus. 1. In 1921, at the age of 19, Parker was the principal of an elementary school in the Picher, Oklahoma mining district. He also served as principal at Licking, MO High School. Parker… Read more »