A Tribute to the Chickasaw Nation | Wacinton Sculpture | Paducah, Kentucky | Landmark Landing

Wacinton Sculpture, taken by Jennie Moore, 2023

       Greetings friends, welcome to the blog! I am so happy to have you. Today's stop is a beautiful and meaningful carving that stands in Noble Park in Paducah, Kentucky. Walter and I visited Paducah as a weekend getaway, and Wacinton was one of our must-see sites. Visitors are able to walk right up to the carving and view up close, so we did just that. It was a beautiful autumn day which I'll remember fondly. 

    Wacinton was sculpted by artist Peter Wolf Toth in 1985 out of a 56,000 pound red oak tree. It's intended to honor the Chickasaw Nation, who had claim of the land prior to colonization. Wacinton is also a part of the "Trail of the Whispering Giants", a series of 74 works by Toth that span both the United States and Canada. 

    Peter Wolf Toth was born in December of 1947 in Hungary. He later moved to the United States in the Akron, Ohio area. His career began in 1972 when he completed his first sculpture. He is best known today for the Whispering Giants works, on which he has been known to perform maintenance and repairs throughout the years. 

Wacinton Sculpture, taken by Jennie Moore, 2023

    The Chickasaw people descend from the Mississippian Culture, with their nations being scattered along the Mississippi River in the Southeast United States. They once were mound builders, and a part of the Muskogean language family. Their first documented contact with Europeans was with Hernando de Soto in 1540. The Chickasaws later were faced with removal, forced to walk the Trail of Tears to the newly designated territory in Oklahoma, where the nation is still based in today. 

    Wacinton is a solemn reminder of the areas past, and creates a place where one can pay their respects to the Chickasaw people who once called this land home. It is an interesting stop for those interested in art and history. The work of Peter "Wolf" Toth speaks volumes about the stories of native people, stories we all should familiarize ourselves with. Thank you for joining me, and I hope to see you at my next stop. 

 

The Restoration of a Civil War Landmark | The Iron County Courthouse | Ironton, Missouri | Landmark Landing

Iron County Courthouse, taken by Jennie Moore, Christmas 2020

    Hello friends, welcome back to the blog. I wanted to discuss one of my favorite local historical buildings, the Iron County, Missouri Courthouse. It has recently undergone a transformation, and I wanted to share the updated appearance with you. For decades, the courthouse has sported red paint with white trim. My grandfather, Winfred Grogan was actually one of the painters hired with the task of painting the courthouse many moons ago. Recently, the paint has been stripped away to reveal the raw brick and mortar!

Iron County Courthouse, taken by Jennie Moore, 2025

    Built in 1858 for $14,000, the courthouse was built in the Federalist and Greek Revival style, even featuring an octagonal gazebo on top. I feel the new look really highlights the Greek influences in the architecture. The project's architect was Henry H. Wright, accompanied by contractors George S Evans and William F Mitchell. A 110-foot addition would be added on in 1964 by architect Hutchens and Frangkiser of Kansas City, accompanied by contractor Bonnot Construction Company out of Ulman. The cost of the addition totaled to $113,241.

The Iron County Courthouse, taken by Jennie Moore, 2025

    The Iron County Courthouse also saw its share of battle during the Battle of Pilot Knob, also known as the Battle of Fort Davidson on September 26th and 27th, 1864. At the beginning of the battle, rebel troops were advancing on the town of Ironton. Union soldiers were posted at the courthouse, prepared to defend. The fighting soon began with the Confederate's attack, with Federals returning fire from the courthouse lawn. 

Cannon fire damage on Iron County Courthouse, taken by Jennie Moore, 2025

    The 3rd M.S.M.'s Private Rector was killed by rebel gunfire, and the 47th Missouri Company E shot his killer dead. The Confederates returned with cannon fire, inflicting the damage to the courthouse that can still be seen today. Lt. Simonton and men, including a section of Montgomery's battery, pushed the rebels back to Shut In Gap, when the ordeal ended for the day at sunset on the 26th. 

    A lot of history has taken place here at the Iron County Courthouse since its construction in 1858. My grandparents, Darrell and Rosie Plummer even eloped in this very building in 1954, 100 years after the famous battle took place. It will forever be one of my favorites in the area, and I recommend anyone to pay a visit to the historic courthouse complex when in Ironton. Thank you for reading and I hope you'll join me again next time!

Sources: 

- Iron County - American Courthouses

- Battle of Pilot Knob Historical Marker

- Iron County Courthouse Historical Marker