The Chautauqua Midwest System originated at Lake Chautauqua New York in 1903 and lasted until 1930. It brought entertainment each summer, presenting music, drama and elocution under the big top. In Mountain Grove, Chautauqua Park was located at the site of the vacant Brown Shoe Company Factory Building. A natural ampitheater and a large tent provided room for traveling shows and brought cultural opportunities to parts of the country that would have been otherwise impossible for the average Midwesterner to ever see or hear. Dancers, musicians, singers, artists, lecturers on science and politics, some of them from foreign countries, filled a program that lasted a week. The U.S. Marine Band, a group of kilted dancers from Scotland, and Vice President Thomas Marshall all visted to perform and proclaim. Townspeople set up stands to sell food, drinks, and other wares. Space was set aside for campers, and according to an early newspaper, as many as 3,000 people came by train to take in the event. This annual event was sure to have had a huge impact on the local Mountain Grove economy as all these visitors had to have food and lodging for themselves and their horses.

In this spirit we would like to offer you a bit of Ozark wit and wisdom with our video and audio series The Spirit of Chautauqua Park. This feature will showcase the elocution of long time Mountain Grove residents.

For your edification, the Historical Preservation Committee presents, General Marshall's Victory Report. This is a pdf file of approximately 27MB. Please feel free to download this or save a copy once opened.