MCP Directory

16 | 2022 MCDONALD COUNTY DIRECTORY The northernmost town in McDonald County, Goodman has a lot to offer both residents and visitors. From railroads to fruit orchards, to fun-filled festivals and the beautiful surroundings of Southwestern Missouri, the City of Goodman takes an active role in providing for and supporting their evolving community and businesses. Fruitful past Fruit orchards once covered more than 2,500 acres of Goodman and the surrounding area. The premier business was the Ozark Orchard Company, founded in 1895 by Lowell Goodman—the man the town was eventually named after. Lowell was responsible for acres and acres of fruit trees and berry fields that covered what is now the city limits of Goodman in the late 1800s. He had originally started by planting fruit trees on his own property and then expanded exponentially when his company bought half of the town. The local industry experienced a steep decline in the mid 20th century and the verdant orchards and fruitful fields mostly disappeared. Celebrating a legacy In 2016 the city established the Annual Ozark Orchard Fest to honor their town's namesake, Lowell Goodman, and celebrate his legacy. The festival has become an attraction for people coming from all over the region. Families make the journey to Goodman for games and inflatables for the children, vendors who display and sell their handmade crafts, and lots of free food supplied by the city. Treasure hunt Another annual event Goodman has been hosting for more than 30 years is the Annual City Wide Garage Sale, where members of the community sell and buy each other's treasures, living up to the old adage: one man's trash is another man's treasure. Christmas parade The Annual Christmas Parade is fun for the whole family with a variety of colorful floats, music and, of course, Santa riding on top of a fire engine. You'll also enjoy drawings and raffles for various prizes, great food and photos with Santa (once he disembarks his bright red ride). Every year different members of the Goodman community serve as Grand Marshall of the Parade. Good living on the edge of the Ozarks One of the most colorful characters from Goodman's past is Matthias Splitlog, who was born in New York in 1812 half Cayuga and half French, and was removed to Ohio to live with the Wyandot Tribe. In 1843 he moved with his wife to the region where he was destined to make his fortune. He first constructed a sawmill then a gristmill and soon a general store followed, all of which provided employment for local citizens. He added a blacksmith shop and a three-story factory for the manufacture of buggies and two seated hacks. An elementary school was built with tuition set at five cents a day. Always far-sighted and innovative, in 1887 Matthias provided most of the financing for the "Splitlog Line" a railroad constructed from Goodman to Neosho. Unfortunately that undertaking involved some unscrupulous partners and that, along with the speculation on a gold and silver mine that didn't materialize, nearly derailed him. Never defeated, he bounced back soon after and went on to become the Chief of the Seneca's at the age of 78. Mathias Splitlog, the "Millionaire Indian: Goodman:

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