Jefferson City, MO

Situated along the Missouri River, Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri. The city was first surveyed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition of the early 1800s, and a permanent settlement was established in 1821. Daniel Morgan Boone, whose father was the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone, planned the community near the mouth of the Osage River, and Jefferson City was incorporated in 1839. With a population of about 40,000, the city has grown gradually and steadily since the 1980s, benefiting from its agricultural and manufacturing industries.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Downtown Jefferson City has preserved its old buildings and added landscaping for a walkable downtown experience, including sidewalk dining. The beautiful Missouri State Capitol building is in the downtown area, facing the river.

There are around 17,000 houses in Jefferson City and about 60 percent are owner-occupied.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

A special commission formed in the 1820s created Jefferson City specifically to serve as the state capital and as the state government expanded in the early 1900s, so did the city's economy. The city's core industry -- manufacturing -- was firmly established by the 1960s and since then Jefferson City has been a prominent producer of construction materials, machinery, transportation equipment, furniture and dairy products. As the result of its rail and river facilities, Jefferson City is an important agricultural processing center.

Other important businesses in the city include:

• FedEx
• American Income Life
• RR Donnelley
• Jefferson Bank of Missouri
• Jefferson City Medical Group
• Missouri Department of Agriculture
• Missouri Department of Higher Education

EDUCATION

Jefferson has several institutions of higher learning:

• Located on Southwest Boulevard, Metro Business College offers associate's degrees to business and computer specialists and medical specialists; diplomas to business and computer assistants and medical secretaries; and certificates to medical administrative assistants, massage therapists, and administrative assistants.
• Columbia College, located on Emerald Lane, offers numerous courses in liberal arts and sciences as well as two-year and four-year degrees that can be pursued online.
• Established in 1866, Lincoln University of Missouri offers 50 undergraduate programs and several post-graduate degree programs in business, social sciences, and education.
• Merrell University of Beauty Arts and Science offers programs in cosmetology, hairdressing, manicuring, and esthetics.
• Located on Wildwood Drive, William Woods University features programs in American Sign Language interpretation, art education, criminal justice-homeland security, equestrian science, management information systems, and theater.

FAMILY FUN

Jefferson City features a number of attractive open spaces:

• Binder Park, located off Rainbow Drive and Henwick Lane, is the city's largest park. Its 644 acres contain Binder Lake, which is equipped with a handicap-accessible fishing pier and a boat ramp, lighted ball fields, picnic areas, and numerous walking and bike trails. Additionally, the park features sand volleyball courts, RV campgrounds and facilities, and a covered picnic shelter that overlooks the lake.
• Memorial Park is characterized by its tall and thick tree covering, but it also contains outdoor sports amenities and a scenic walking trail.
• Named after former mayor Arthur W. Ellis, Ellis Porter/Riverside Park is home to the Optimist Sports Complex, as well as an outdoor amphitheater and a 9,500-square foot swimming pool. Additionally, the park features 13 covered picnic units and a view of the Missouri River.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Located in the Union Hotel on the Jefferson Landing Historic Site, Elizabeth Rozier Gallery features art exhibits and hosts alternating exhibits during the year.

Show-Me Showboaters Barbershop Chorus is a barbershop quartet that performs for conferences, wedding receptions, and birthday celebrations. Wearing both formal and casual attire, the Barbershop Chorus sings a variety of music genres, including gospel and barbershop numbers.

Capital City Players Dinner Theatre, located on Linden Drive, features onstage entertainment and a full buffet meal. Patrons are permitted to bring their own alcoholic beverages to the performance. Performances are held at the renovated Shikles Center, which seats as many as 180 people and includes an 18-foot by 32-foot stage.

The Cole County Historical Museum, originally built by Governor B. Gratz Brown in 1871, contains an impressive collection of antiques, artifacts, and historical documents pertaining to Jefferson City.

The Museum of Missouri Military History celebrates the militia in Jefferson City, which has been active since 1808.

The Missouri State Capitol is situated on West Capitol Avenue and contains the Missouri State Museum. The chief attraction of the building site is the great dome, which rises almost 240 feet above ground level and is capped by a bronze statue of Ceres, the goddess of vegetation. The structure's other architectural features are the south side's eight 48-foot columns and the north side's six 40-foot columns, as well as the grand stairway and its Romanesque bronze front doors.

EVENTS

Jefferson City has a busy events calendar:

• The Annual Ice Show, which takes place in March and April, features solo, duet, and group performances by members of the Jefferson City Figure Skating Club.
• Summer aquatic events include the Father's Day Special, in which dads swim for free at Memorial Park Family Aquatic Center, and Hot Dippity Dog, in which dogs take a dip along with their owners at Riverside Pool or Memorial Park Family Aquatic Center.
• September offers a number of exciting events, including WildWest Days, which features a Wild West show, hayrides, and stagecoach rides, and the Capitol JazzFest, which features live jazz and blues at Memorial Park.
• A popular winter holiday event is the Annual Christmas Home Tour and Decorating Contest, in which interested participants compete in such categories as Christmas Elegance, Best Use of Lights, and Best Religious Display.

LOCAL MEDIA

Local residents obtain their news from the daily Jefferson City News Tribune.