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The history of Anderson dates back to 1886 when Robert Anderson opened a general store and a post office, that he named Anderson. The first settlement in the area was at Beaver Springs. The town of Anderson began growing after the railroad was extended from Goodman through Anderson to Noel. Anderson was officially incorporated into a city on December 7, 1909. The town's rich history is still evident in its historic Main Street. One of the businesses you will find there, Brady's Jewelry, dates back to before the town was incorporation. "My husband is a third generation jeweler," said owner Alicia Brady. "Our store opened in 1905. I believe we are the oldest business still running in Anderson and the only one with the original family still running the business." Alicia herself has been in Anderson for 55 years and has seen lots of changes but still believes Anderson has retained its charm. "Anderson is a great place to raise children. It has good schools and churches and is safe," Alicia said. "Main Street is great, too. We have a lot of traffic from the flea markets like Rags to Riches and the Golden Rose. The Flick Theater is also a big attraction. You can still see a new release movie there for $5." But what Anderson is best known for is strawberries! The strawberry industry had its beginning in the fall of 1903 when berries were shipped from the Anderson Co-Operative Fruit Growers Association. This industry would grow until Anderson became known as the Strawberry Capital of the World. In the early 1950's, however, this local industry waned due to severe competition from the Western and Southern states, but every year in May the town celebrates the heritage of the strawberry industry in Anderson and McDonald County by putting on the Berries, Bluegrass and BBQ Festival. The festival features arts and craft booths, retail and food vendors, a donut-eating contest, a Little Miss Strawberry pageant, and some of the area's best bluegrass bands throughout the day. There's even a 5k run the night before! A town with a berry-rich history By Randy Rice McDonald County Directory 12 | 2020 MCDONALD COUNTY DIRECTORY INCORPORATED General Industrial Contractor 2274 South Business Hwy 71, Anderson, MO 64831 417-436-2800 www-mid-tec.com "Your Friendly Hometown Supermarket" Jct. Hwy. 59 & W. 76 Anderson, MO 417-845-6387 DELI Try Our Chris Smith, Agent 493 E Highway 76 Ste G Anderson, MO 64831 fb.com/ChrisSmithAgency/ American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 006441 – Rev. 11/15 ©2015 – 7268106 Call me today at (417) 845-7060. Keep your dreams in drive. Chris Smith, Agent 493 E Highway 76 Ste G Anderson, MO 64831 fb.com/ChrisSmithAgency/ American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 006441 – Rev. 11/15 ©2015 – 7268106 Call me today at (417) 845-7060. Keep your dreams in drive. Chris Smith, Agent 493 E Highway 76 Ste G Anderson, MO 64831 fb.com/ChrisSmithAgency/ American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 006441 – Rev. 11/15 ©2015 – 7268106 Call me today at (417) 845-7060. Keep your dreams in drive. KEEP YOUR DREAMS IN DRIVE. CALL ME TODAY AT (417) 845-7060 NOEL - 508 NORTH CLIFFSIDE DR ANDERSON - 224 EAST HWY 76 WWW.HARPSFOOD.COM Anderson: