Missouri Wall of Fame facts for kids

The Missouri Wall of Fame is a huge mural in downtown Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It's about 500 feet long and painted on a flood wall. This amazing artwork shows 45 panels with 46 or 47 famous people. These individuals were either born in Missouri or became famous while living there. Local artist Margaret Dement designed the mural, and it was painted in 1995. A group of important citizens from Cape Girardeau helped choose the people featured on the wall.

Discover the Missouri Wall of Fame

The Missouri Wall of Fame is a special way to celebrate people who have made a big difference. It's like an outdoor museum that honors Missouri's history and its talented residents. Walking along the wall, you can learn about many different kinds of heroes. These include artists, athletes, writers, and leaders.

Who is on the Wall of Fame?

The mural features a wide variety of people. Each person has a unique story and connection to Missouri. Here are some of the famous individuals you can find:

Artists and Entertainers

• Burt Bacharach: A talented pianist and composer from Kansas City. He wrote many popular songs.
• Josephine Baker: A famous singer and dancer from St. Louis. She became a huge star in France.
• Thomas Hart Benton (painter): A well-known painter from Neosho. He created large murals, including one at the Missouri State Capitol.
• George Caleb Bingham: An important artist from St. Louis. He painted scenes of everyday life in Missouri.
• Betty Grable: An actress, singer, and dancer from St. Louis. She was a popular movie star.
• Jean Harlow: An actress from Kansas City. She was a famous movie star in the 1930s.
• John Huston: An actor and film director from Nevada. He directed many classic movies.
• Scott Joplin: A composer and musician from Sedalia. He is known as the "King of Ragtime" music.
• Rose O'Neill: An illustrator from Taney County. She created the popular Kewpie doll characters.
• Vincent Price: An actor from St. Louis. He was famous for his roles in horror films.
• Ginger Rogers: A dancer and actress from Independence. She starred in many musical movies.
• Jess Stacy: A swing pianist from Bird's Point. He was a talented jazz musician.
• Porter Wagoner: A country musician from West Plains. He was a popular country music star.

Writers and Thinkers

• Susan Elizabeth Blow: From St. Louis, she started the very first public kindergarten in the United States.
• Dale Carnegie: A writer and researcher from Maryville. He is best known for his book How to Win Friends and Influence People.
• Kate Chopin: An author from St. Louis. She wrote novels and short stories.
• T. S. Eliot: A poet, dramatist, and literary critic from St. Louis. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• Eugene Field: An author from St. Louis. He wrote many popular poems for children.
• Langston Hughes: A poet, novelist, and social activist from Joplin. He was a leading figure in the Harlem Renaissance.
• Joseph Pulitzer: A newspaper publisher from St. Louis. He created the famous Pulitzer Prize awards for journalism and arts.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder: An author from Mansfield. She wrote the beloved Little House on the Prairie book series.
• Tennessee Williams: A playwright from Columbus. He wrote many famous plays.

Sports Legends

• Yogi Berra: A Hall of Fame catcher from St. Louis. He played for the New York Yankees.
• George Brett: A Hall of Fame third baseman from Kansas City. He played for the Kansas City Royals.
• Lou Brock: A Hall of Fame outfielder from St. Louis. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals and was known for stealing bases.
• Jack Buck: A long-time St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster. He was famous for his exciting play-by-play calls.
• Joe Garagiola: A Hall of Fame baseball player and sportscaster from St. Louis.
• Stan Musial: A Hall of Fame outfielder from St. Louis. He was a legendary player for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Leaders and Innovators

• August Busch, Jr.: From St. Louis, he helped make Anheuser-Busch one of the world's largest breweries. He also owned the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
• George Washington Carver: An inventor and researcher from Diamond. He made many important discoveries in agriculture.
• Walter Cronkite: A long-time CBS evening news anchor from St. Joseph. He was known as "the most trusted man in America."
• Linda M. Godwin: A scientist and NASA astronaut from Jackson. She has traveled to space multiple times.
• James Cash Penney: A retailer from Hamilton. He founded the well-known department store chain J.C. Penney.
• Marlin Perkins: The host of Wild Kingdom from Carthage. He taught many people about animals and nature.
• Harry S. Truman: The 33rd President of the United States from Independence. He is the only person from Missouri to become president.

Historical Figures and Others

• Thomas Hart Benton (senator): A five-term United States Senator from St. Louis. He was an important political leader.
• Omar Bradley: A United States Army general from Clark. He was a key leader in World War II.
• Calamity Jane: A frontierswoman and scout from Princeton. She was known for her adventurous life.
• Redd Foxx: A comedian from St. Louis. He starred in the popular TV show Sanford and Son.
• Jesse James and Frank James: Brothers from Kearney who were famous outlaws.
• Rush Limbaugh: A radio personality from Cape Girardeau. He was known for his political talk shows.
• Marie Elizabeth Oliver: From Cape Girardeau, she created the design for the Missouri state flag.
• John J. Pershing: A United States Army general from Laclede. He led American forces in World War I.
• Dred Scott: From St. Louis, he was a slave who sued for his freedom in a very important court case.
• Tom Sawyer: A fictional character from the Mississippi River. He is famous from the books The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.