Historium seeks stories about rural stores and post offices for its next book

The Ozark County Historium is gathering stories for its next book focusing on Ozark County’s colorful history. This one will spotlight the stores and post offices that served as the heart of dozens of rural communities tucked back in Ozark County’s hollers or standing sturdily on its ridges.

The book’s style will follow that of the Historium’s best-selling volume, “Lard Buckets and Paper Pokes,” published in 2011. That book, which has sold out two printings, was a collection of stories, reminiscences and photos contributed by former and current residents recounting their time in Ozark County’s rural, mostly one-room schools before the educational system consolidated into the five school districts that exist in the county today. 

“Books published by the Historium have been one of our major sources of fundraising,” said Janet Taber, who is leading the team of volunteers that will be creating the book. “We want to gather stories and photos from those whose families owned and operated the stores and post offices, as well as the residents of the communities those stores and post offices served,” she said. 

It’s hoped the book will be published in time for Hootin an Hollarin, Taber said. 

“Our previous books have been successful because of the help of people who have contributed stories and photos, and we’re asking for that help again,” Taber said. “You’re welcome to write that story yourself, with a maximum of about 1,000 words for each one. Or, if you prefer, contact us, and we’ll be glad to have you tell us the story, and one of our volunteers will write it for you. If you were a customer, how far was the store from your home? What did your family buy or trade there? What was a favorite item to buy as a child or as an adult? Did you get your mail there? Did you ever work in one of these stores?

For more information about contributing a story or photos, contact Janet Taber at 417-265-3372, janettaber@gmail.com or Sue Ann Jones at 417-989-1040, sueannjones@gmail.com.

Winsor “Verd” Morrison’s story about the Zanoni store and post office, and his growing-up years there, on page 1 and 14, serves as an example of the kind of information and anecdotes that will be collected for the Historium’s forthcoming book.