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2022 MCDONALD COUNTY DIRECTORY | 19 The history of Jane is something Gayla Baker takes very personally. The Jane Preservation Society is her hobby and her love. "My family has been here since the beginning of Jane," she said. "I just love history and Jane's history and my family's have been tied together from the start." The first settler in White Rock Prairie (Jane's original name) was James Billingsly in 1834, according to the Southernland & McEvoy's Gazetteer. However, MacDonald County did not begin to get populated until the 1840s. In 1854, the first post office appeared, and that building and its history have been the subject of a major renovation project by The Jane Preservation Society. "The society acquired the old post office a few years ago and has been working on restoring it," Baker said. "We are turning it into a museum that will store the history of the post office and Jane with photos and other artifacts including the antique post office boxes." The society will also be placing a gazebo over the historic Jane well, which was once the center of town. The well, fed by the Sulphur Spring, was said to have healing properties, as did many of the springs in McDonald County. There is documentation that during the Civil War, both North and South watered their horses at the well. "The healing properties of the springs were a big pull to the area," Baker said. "My family came from Tennessee in the mid 1800's. They were farmers and businessmen who ran the general store when they came to this beautiful area." Community events In addition to historical renovation projects like the post office, the society sponsors an Easter egg hunt every spring on the Sunday before Easter. "Along with the egg hunt we have demonstrations on how to dye eggs the natural way," Baker said. "They way they did it in the old days. The kids really like it and the event has continued to grow year to year." The society also sponsors Jane Day in September every year. The day kicks of by a breakfast sponsored by the Jane Fire Department. That leads to fun for the whole family with food, games, car show, pageant and parade. The event is a fundraiser for the society to help fund the important work they do. Baker and her husband are also proprietors of a small country store and café called The Jane Store that is located in an historic building dating back to 1927. It was, built by the Mars family, who still own it. "People say when they come into The Jane Store they feel like they just walked into Mayberry RFD," Baker joked. "We like people to feel comfortable here, like they are in their own home." The Jane Store is open Tuesday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch with fresh pies and cookies during the week and fresh cinnamon rolls made by Mr. Baker on Saturday. McDonald County's gateway community Jane: Don and Gayla Baker with daughter Sara. Ad Number: 022422nwr1341 Ad Number: 022422nwr7101 OPEN ALL YEAR! Cave Tours | Museum | Gem Panning | & more! Noel, MO • 417-475-3666 • bluffdwellerscave.com @WACOTitleCompany www.wacotitle.com @wacotitle Our 250+ associates are ready to provide you with a seamless closing experience across 20+ locations in Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. ExpErt in titlE. lEadEr in closing.