Who We Are
Clinton County has always gone its own way.
In the 1830s, many American pioneers from the East were venturing westward, looking for a brighter future. From Kansas City and Independence they joined the Santa Fe and the Oregon Trails and headed to the Pacific coast. But more than a few discerning migrating farm families found Clinton County and wondered: Why trek 1,000 miles more?
Our rolling hills offered the good soils and waters they sought. We were closer to the eastern states they knew well. And they understood the type of farming they could do here. So they put down roots. Tradesmen came, too, and the towns they established became Cameron, Gower, Lathrop and Plattsburg. Villages like Osborn, Turney and Trimble also sprouted to serve the farming community.
Today, Clinton County remains resolutely rural, even in the shadow of metropolitan Kansas City and St. Joseph. Our hills still hum with agriculture, and our right-sized towns still are welcoming. We're home to mom and pop businesses (Where else can you buy goat soap made on a nearby farm?). We treasure out close knit church congregations and proud country traditions. We hold retro town festivals complete with frog jumping contests and homemade crafts. Our diverse community celebrates both the Fourth of July and Juneteenth. And we still do old fashioned events like farm tours and quilt shows.
Clinton County is modern in every way. But your visit here will be a nostalgic trip to the past.
Welcome!
Today, Clinton County remains resolutely rural, even in the shadow of metropolitan Kansas City and St. Joseph. Our hills still hum with agriculture, and our right-sized towns still are welcoming. We're home to mom and pop businesses (Where else can you buy goat soap made on a nearby farm?). We treasure out close knit church congregations and proud country traditions. We hold retro town festivals complete with frog jumping contests and homemade crafts. Our diverse community celebrates both the Fourth of July and Juneteenth. And we still do old fashioned events like farm tours and quilt shows.
Clinton County is modern in every way. But your visit here will be a nostalgic trip to the past.
Welcome!
Agriculture
Clinton County was—and still is—ideal for animal agriculture. Our hogs, sheep, goats and chickens were hot items then and now. As one hatchery's advertisement from the 1930s boasted, "Our chicks live, lay and pay." But it was beef cattle that made Clinton County famous. Our county once was known as "The Beef Capitol of Missouri". And that's saying something because at the time, Missouri was second only to Texas for the number of beef cattle it raised.
Just as famous in their era were the mule farms in Lathrop. During World War I, when mules in harness were still the preferred means of locomotion for army supply wagons and heavy artillery, Lathrop proudly called itself "The Mule Capitol of the World." Thousands of Lathrop mules served both the American and British armies.
Just as famous in their era were the mule farms in Lathrop. During World War I, when mules in harness were still the preferred means of locomotion for army supply wagons and heavy artillery, Lathrop proudly called itself "The Mule Capitol of the World." Thousands of Lathrop mules served both the American and British armies.
Most of the mules have gone now. But herds of beef cattle still graze the hills of Clinton County. Family farms large and small grow crops and raise livestock here. Paradise Locker Meats in Trimble supplies locally sourced beef to consumers and top end restaurants in Kansas City. Chickens and eggs from Campo Lindo Farms in Lathrop grace the menus of many of those same swanky eateries. And dairy products from the Shatto Milk Company appear in supermarkets throughout the region. (Plus, they give tours!)
President for a day
Beyond agriculture, Clinton County's history is full of extraordinary people and events. Top of the list is Plattsburg's David Rice Atchison who, local lore says, became president of the United States for one day on Sunday, March 4, 1849. Atchison happened to be president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate on that day and therefore second in line to the president, according to the rules of succession then. The terms of President James K. Polk and Vice President George Dallas expired at noon on March 4, and the religious president-elect Zachary Taylor declined to take the oath of office on the Christian Sabbath. According to some, that made Atchison acting president for 24 hours until Taylor took the oath at noon on Monday, March 5. Scholars dispute that claim, saying there simply was no president during the gap. But we Clinton Countians think differently. You can see a statue of Atchison in front of the county courthouse in Plattsburg, and you can visit his grave in the town's Greenlawn Cemetery.
President for a day
Beyond agriculture, Clinton County's history is full of extraordinary people and events. Top of the list is Plattsburg's David Rice Atchison who, local lore says, became president of the United States for one day on Sunday, March 4, 1849. Atchison happened to be president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate on that day and therefore second in line to the president, according to the rules of succession then. The terms of President James K. Polk and Vice President George Dallas expired at noon on March 4, and the religious president-elect Zachary Taylor declined to take the oath of office on the Christian Sabbath. According to some, that made Atchison acting president for 24 hours until Taylor took the oath at noon on Monday, March 5. Scholars dispute that claim, saying there simply was no president during the gap. But we Clinton Countians think differently. You can see a statue of Atchison in front of the county courthouse in Plattsburg, and you can visit his grave in the town's Greenlawn Cemetery.
Culture and Arts
Plattsburg was home to a Methodist college in the early 1900s and proudly hosted Chautauqua assemblies. Chautauqua was a nationwide phenomenon whose mission was to bring entertainment and culture to rural areas. Plattsburg's fair-like assemblies featured speakers, musicians, showmen and preachers under tents.
At around the same time, renowned author J. Breckenridge Ellis of Plattsburg wrote historical romances, stage plays and movie scripts. His novel Fran made America's best seller list. He was hot stuff! And you can learn more about him at the Clinton County Historical Society Museum in Plattsburg.
Today, we carry on the county's Chautauqua heritage with marching bands, band concerts, museums, live music, art shows and public art.
At around the same time, renowned author J. Breckenridge Ellis of Plattsburg wrote historical romances, stage plays and movie scripts. His novel Fran made America's best seller list. He was hot stuff! And you can learn more about him at the Clinton County Historical Society Museum in Plattsburg.
Today, we carry on the county's Chautauqua heritage with marching bands, band concerts, museums, live music, art shows and public art.
Railroads
Railroads shaped the county's history. Beginning in the 1860s, Clinton Countians could hop a train to Kansas City or St. Joseph. The Santa Fe Railway once connected our county to the outside world as did the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, the Rock Island Line and the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. County businesses prospered because railroads brought merchandise and customers. Today, Cameron celebrates our railroad history with its unique Depot Museum. Another depot in Plattsburg is ripe for renovation.
Jefferson Highway
In the 1910s, Clinton County found itself in the middle of a new automobile route called the Jefferson Highway, which ran from New Orleans, Louisiana to Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada. The highway was federally sponsored but locally built. It was nicknamed the "Palms to Pines Highway" and routed travelers through our county. Today, you can see a splendid mural in Plattsburg that celebrates the Jefferson Highway. Signs commemorating the highway appear in Cameron and Plattsburg where the pavement once ran.
Jefferson Highway
In the 1910s, Clinton County found itself in the middle of a new automobile route called the Jefferson Highway, which ran from New Orleans, Louisiana to Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada. The highway was federally sponsored but locally built. It was nicknamed the "Palms to Pines Highway" and routed travelers through our county. Today, you can see a splendid mural in Plattsburg that celebrates the Jefferson Highway. Signs commemorating the highway appear in Cameron and Plattsburg where the pavement once ran.
More History
To see more Clinton County History, visit the:
Clinton County Historical Society Museum
Cameron Depot Museum
