Catherine Place, Missouri taken by Jennie Moore
This humble home has sat proudly in it’s spot along northbound Highway 67 for years, greeting motorists to the quaint community of Catherine Place, Missouri. For all of my life, it has mostly remained the same, with few changes ever taking place. It has also appeared to be empty for as long as I can recall, with no family filling these walls. However, the house has stood the test of time, with little visible decay. This was until October 24th, 2021.
That grim Sunday night, multiple tornadoes ripped through the area, including an EF-3 that struck Catherine Place, Fredericktown, Junction City, and more. The damage was extreme, like nothing I had ever seen. Catherine Place had been destroyed. Homes and businesses were swept away, and shredded debris filled the trees. My mind went to the little white house that I had admired on every drive into town growing up. I had accepted that it’s time had finally come.
The following day my father and I went into the area to deliver care baskets to the tornado victims. As we crested the hill into Catherine Place, I was met with a sickening feeling, as I saw the damage in the daylight for the first time. Though the dread was soon interrupted by a realization. Among the rubble, stood the little white house. It seemed bigger when there were no other buildings to compare it to. It had been beaten and battered, but standing as straight as ever. The white siding had been peeled off in places to reveal the older siding underneath, telling more of the house’s story. I don’t truly understand how the home survived, considering the damage in all directions, but I would like to think it is a metaphorical reminder for us, a glimmer of hope.
The photo you see of the house was taken on May 6th, 2023. It still wears the scars of the tornado, as the community rebuilds around it. I regret not taking more photos over the years, but I’m glad to have finally taken this one. I would like to see life in this home someday, like there once was. I would also like to ask the builder what the secret is to building such a strong house. If you know any information on this place, feel free to comment, message, or email! I would love to hear it.
