I have spoken about and shown so many images about the Osage Valley in Missouri over the last couple of weeks that I thought I would add a bit of perspective. I have mentioned that the valley was settled in the early 1800's by Travelers with Daniel Boone.

However, there were inhabitants of this land long before the white settlers ventured across the Missouri river. The Osage Indians. They were a waring people, larger than most other tribes...some say 6.5 to 7 feet tall. The link will show an artist's rendition of an Osage Indian Village. You will see that their abodes were very similar to the ones in today's photos.

The working farm that we visit each year actually has a separate area devoted to the very early settlers of this area...the Indians and the fur trappers. Replicas of the Osage Indian abode have been meticulously re assembled. They are pretty amazing structures. We so often think of Tepee's being the typical Indian habitat but for the Osage...they chose this type of hut made out of wheat, reeds and other indigenous plants. Often they would then coat the hut with a mud mixture making it impervious to the elements. A hole in the roof acted as a natural draw and kept the smoke out of the living quarters...similar to a Tepee. The floor was built of wooden planks...often better than many of the log cabins at that time with dirt floors.

Just some history today...hope I didn't bore you!

Dan