J. C. Penney - Hamilton, MO
Posted by: YoSam.
N 39° 44.601 W 093° 59.924
15S E 414429 N 4399749
If you drive through Hamilton, you have to really pay attention to see this home on your own.
If you stop at the new museum, they will gladly give you a key - or even guide you- through the home.
Waymark Code: WMJ7EC
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 10/06/2013
Views: 6
County of Home: Caldwell County
Location of Home: Next to new bank, on MO 13, Hamilton
Next to the sidewalk near the home is a display of millstones
No Marker Exists for the Home
James Cash Penney was born September 16, 1875 , here in Hamilton, Missouri. He established a chain of department stores across the nation and used the old fashioned values of he learned in Hamilton as a foundation of his business ad personnel life. The late retailing magnate, who died in 1971 at age 95, maintained a close relationship with his hometown. Penney donated to the first library, the shoe factory, the high school, Highland Cemetery and the American Legion Park.
During his lifetime, he refused to have any memorials in his name. But today, Hamilton has a beautiful Museum that houses the public library and a well-used community room, as well as his boyhood home.
A little history of the place:
After Caldwell County was organized in 1836, Far West, a community created by Mormons, served as the county seat until 1842. Following the expulsion of the Mormons by local militia, the county seat was moved to Kingston. A two-story structure that served as the county's second courthouse was destroyed by fire in April of 1860. A new courthouse costing $20,000 was built but fire again consumed it in 1896. The present building was constructed in 1898. It is now listed on the National register of Historic Places.