Author: paulinemasson

By Pauline Masson – Photos from Mary Helen Beren Collection The late Neil Brennan chastised me more than once for writing so much about the vast Dailey clan, and the McHughs, but never mentioning James J. Dailey, who, Neil said, was one of the greatest men in Pacific’s history. Neil remembered James Dailey as a man of generosity and curiosity immeasurable even for a man of his wealth. “He helped a lot of families during the depression, a lot of … Continue reading “James J. Dailey – Landmark Building Founder, Philanthropist and Fur Trader”

By Pauline Masson – Acting Police Chief Major Don Locke’s request for an ordinance that would make it easier for his officers to write traffic tickets for loud mufflers emphasized citizen comfort. It also targeted loud motorcycles, music, air conditioners, household pets and fireworks. The four-page proposed ordinance, Bill 5248 was presented for a first reading at the August 20 board of aldermen (BOA) meeting. The bill identified nuisance noise as any excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud noise which either … Continue reading “Modified Mufflers, Motorcycles and Music: How Loud is Too Loud?”

By Pauline Masson –  After more than 30 years in the post, the city has ended the role of Alan Bruns as city sexton. The action was approved by four aldermen during a closed meeting following the regular board of aldermen (BOA) meeting August 20. Aldermen Debbie Kelley, James Cleeve, Scott Lesh and Karla Stewart voted to terminate the contract with Mr. Bruns immediately. Alderman Rafael Madrigal abstained. Alderman Anna Meadows was not present. Alan Bruns was named Sexton on … Continue reading “Sexton Alan Bruns Terminated After Mix-Up in Grave Opening and Complaint About Cemetery Records”

By Pauline Masson After three months and some thirty applications for the position, the board of aldermen is starting a second attempt to recruit a new city administrator after reviewing and passing on a slate of applicants. It is not as though nobody wants the job. Some thirty applicants reached out to the city saying they would like to manage the city.  Applicants included men and women, young and not-so-young, who have worked in cities both large and small. One … Continue reading “Lots of Applicants but No New City Administrator Yet”

By Pauline Masson – City Central, a unique historic hub in Pacific, Missouri (formerly Franklin). The pavilion above occupies the site of the original Pacific Railroad depot in the newly platted city of Franklin, Missouri. This was the destination of the first railroad excursion west of the Mississippi River on September 19, 1853. The Pacific Railroad, later Union Pacific, pulling two passenger cars and three flatbed cars with passengers sitting on plank seats visited for several hours before returning to … Continue reading “Attracting Diners to Downtown Eateries Could be As Easy As Telling a Story”

One of The Longest Free Flowing Rivers in Missouri By Pauline Masson –  History tells us that when the first overland railroad expedition arrived here in 1853, people got off the train, walked to the river and returned to the quickly thrown up train depot at First and St. Louis streets – where a savvy real estate agent had stationed himself – and bought lots to move here. It was the beginning of the development of the town. Their walk … Continue reading “Are We Missing the Boat If We Fail to Promote Pacific As A Meramec River Destination?”

By Pauline Masson –  St. Patrick’s of Armagh, a Missouri limestone sanctuary built to serve Catholics in a remote corner of the Meramec River Valley opened its doors to all, creating a history defying blend of supporters that has survived 180 years. Stonemasons recruited to build the church in the wilderness named the township that grew up around the stone church ‘Catawissa,’ in honor of their Pennsylvania home place. The first stones quarried nearby were laid here in 1859 to … Continue reading “St. Patrick’s Old Rock Church, Catawissa, a Country Catholic Parish That Blended the Rules”

By Pauline Masson – When Pacific emergency and tourism leaders host a Safety Fair in Liberty Field Park this month, they are drawing on a community education project introduced 22 years ago. On October 6, 2001, then Alderman Rick Layton kicked off the first out-door modern day community safety awareness day on the parking lot of Queens IGA store (currently B & H Market) and, I have to tell you . . . Pacific had never seen anything like it. … Continue reading “Keep Kids Safe by Teaching Safety / Pacific Has Staged 22 Years of Safety Awareness Days”

By Pauline Masson  –  Eight years ago, Mission Community Church Pastor David Lange and his wife Christy wanted to create a summer learning experience that went beyond the traditional Vacation Bible School and host a summer adventure that combined ministry with activity. They decided on a baseball camp and partnered with the Pacific Youth Association (PYA) to hold the camp at the PYA field at the end of South Fifth Street. For the first four years they recruited local teens … Continue reading “Glorified Summer Ministry Adds Finishing Touches to HFB, Teaches Little Athletes Sports Skills and Bible Stories”

_________________________________________________________________ By Pauline Masson – Nobody is recent memory combines history with high minded ideas like Jim McHugh. You might recall that McHugh, with his Tip O’Neill eyebrows and shock of white hair, is part owner of the landmark McHugh-Dailey Building at South First and Orleans streets. In 2003, after the death of his uncle Joe McHugh, Jim and his brother Dr. Bill McHugh inherited half of the building. Joe Dailey’s widow Virginia “Ginny” Dailey owned the other half. Now … Continue reading “Slogans, Stagecoach Stop, Burgers and Books, Jim McHugh Kicks Off A New Initiative to Woo Shoppers to the Center of Old Town”