The Greater Highlandville-Spokane Historical & Genealogical Society

08/11/2026

A wonderful post by Wayne Glenn (The Old Record Collector) about Spokane, Missouri ❤️

08/01/2026

Have any of you ever visited Bonniebrook in the very southernmost part of the GHSHGS’ reach?
Bonniebrook was artist and writer, Rose O’Neil’s, home. Rose was most famous for her creation of the Kewpie Doll, which was reportedly the most widely recognized cartoon character, worldwide, until Mickey Mouse came along.
My closest connection to Rose O’Neill occurred while I attended College of the Ozarks in the early 1990s. I worked as a server at the Friendship house, in what was once called the Rose O’Neill Dining Room. While working there, I became “closely” acquainted with the Kewpie Dolls as they all stared at me from the shelves of the adjoining gift shop😂.
Additionally, my grandfather, Vollie Sportsman, was a resident of Walnut Shade and reportedly attended dances hosted by Rose at Bonniebrook. I would suspect that he most likely accompanied my great uncle, Clint Sportsman, who was an amazing fiddle player and would have gladly played there alongside other musicians, if the opportunity arose.
Furthermore, when I taught at Ozark High School, I recall that on at least one occasion the OHS Tigers had to play Columbia, Missouri’s Hickman High School in some form of competition. Interestingly enough Hickman High had the Kewpie as their school mascot😲. Needless to say my students were pretty confident that, “a tiger could beat a fat baby any day of the week!” I am not sure that was the outcome, but the trash talk was pretty fun leading up to this sporting event😁.
Lastly, I personally took my son and a friend of his on a day trip, to explore the grounds of Bonniebrook years ago. We loved the replica of Rose O’Neill’s house, and the grounds were beautiful.
Bonniebrook is a lovely place that is definitely worth visiting, and it’s in our own backyard!
I am sure that many of our followers have stories of their own Rose O’Neill lore. We would love for you to share your tales with us!

Here are some links you might find interesting:

Fiddle music played by Clint Sportsman and Hosea Bilyeu and friends:
https://youtu.be/o7UANKCBBMQ

Historic Missourians: Rose O’Neill
https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/rose-oneill/

Bonniebrook Museum:
https://share.google/hURiW18QEd0PvTEfB

07/18/2026

This photo was taken from Wayne Glenn (The Old Record Collector)’s post featuring the Sims family that would have been from the eastern side of the GHSHGS’ area possibly near Tory, down O Hwy.
Please comment with any information you have about this family, or if any of you are related.

07/17/2026

Wayne Glenn (The Old Record Collector) posted these photos that have ties to the southern part of Owl Country down Hwy 176. Feel free to share any information or tales that you have about these people or places.

07/17/2026

Congratulations on 16 years, to Glossip General Store. Thank you for being a supporter of The Greater Highlandville-Spokane Historical & Genealogical Society from the start!

We’re officially celebrating 16 years at Glossip General Store! 🎉🎈🎉

We're so thankful to this community for making this possible. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or just stopped by recently, it means so much that you choose to support us. Thank you for 16 incredible years... come on by and say hi today!

07/09/2026

When most of us think of Spokane High School it’s hard not to think of the Mitchem family impacting our lives in some way. Jeff and Becky Stark Mitchem have been an integral part of the Highlandville-Spokane Community for decades. You are invited to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 1st!

You are invited!
Saturday, August 1st. Anytime between 2:00 - 5:00pm
Comfortable attire. Drop in and say "Hi", stay a bit, share a memory.
NO GIFTS PLEASE! They have way to much stuff collected over 50 years.

07/06/2026

Here is a tip for any of you using Find a Grave for genealogical research.

07/04/2026

Wayne Glenn (The Old Record Collector) posted these photos and information about some local individuals. ❤️🤍💙

07/04/2026

🇺🇸❤️🤍💙🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day to all of our friends in Owl Country and beyond!