Marceline and Mill

My apologies to all my faithful followers. The wi fi was lousy at the last two parks we stayed at. Again it is catch up time. Special day for me. We went to Marceline Mo. This is the town Walt Disney arrived in when he was four years old. The depot is now a Disney family museum. This is where he developed his love of trains. This town was what he modeled Main Street in Disneyland after. We went to the park and gazebo where the family listened to concerts. The train there was donated and painted by Walt. Went to his former home ( now private residence) and walked down the hill to his Dreaming Tree and Barn. Left our names for other Pilgrims to see.

On to Lawson near Kansas City Mo and the Watkins Woolen Mill State Park. I think we need electricity so much and it still amazes me how much they did without it. Went thru the house, the ice house, summer kitchen, garden ( 1/4 size of what they had) and saw the fruit and vegetable drying house. Boy they sure earned their food. Went to the Mill next. Saw the piled up trees drying before they were cut for wood used in the steam engines. Next  to the trees was the red whatever you call it that they attached horses, mules or dogs to for the saw mill. The mill ran from the 1860's to the 90's. Everything was left behind and is the same today. 4 stories high, filled with machinery to make cloth, blankets and yarn. No lights inside, worked from sun up until dusk. I asked and the ranger admitted there were many accidents but none officially reported. They would have lost their jobs. I couldn't believe the scary conditions for child workers. Part of the mill was used as a grist mill for flour. Also had a small store although most people brought their own wool and wheat and then took back all but 10% for the mill. The lock they use on the front door still is from 1870. I noticed the nails on the long drying racks along side the mill are square.Next day later. Hugs, Donna