Niangua, Missouri is a bustling metropolis of 459 souls. Straddling the train tracks a mile off of the historic Route 66. It is a hotbed of rural activity. Each morning trucks of the local farmers congregate around Hanna's gas station and deep-fry café. The men fill themselves & their equipment with the combinations of diesel, gasoline, biscuits 'n' gravy and coffee that their fuel tanks and bellys require. Hanna's is also the source and center of the town's male gossip circle. Are you wondering what ol' Ben Justison down the river is up to these days? This is where you would find out!
Niangua (or "Niangee" as it is often pronounced by the locals -- who live OUTside of town... I have been corrected on this... Townfolk nearly ALWAYS pronounce it properly as "Niangua." But golly, I've heard myself referred to as "Californee" by my neighbors.) is not to be confused with your typical, bucolic Ozark hideaway. We have a center of high finance. Though it seems to have seen better days, hope springs eternal. Any budget oriented financier should be tickled pink to move into this fine location, it already has a sign!
The storefront on the left until recently, housed the town's women's gossip central in the form of a hair salon. No doubt the local hair is not nearly as tall and stylish as it was before.
And my how things do change! After a few years of vacancy some church-folk have taken the bank building over and are converting it from a place of worshipping Mammon to a their own form of worship. As the altered Bank front now reads: "You can BANK on Jesus." Just be careful of making withdrawals.
Across America, you will often find antique stores, junk stores or "flea markets" as they are often called in these tiny towns. They are often the only mercantile businesses that can compete against the Walmarts and other super chain stores that suck the economic vitality out of towns fifteen miles away. Niangua is no exception, and this is our "Antique Emporium"
In olden days, this building housed a general store downstairs. The upstairs door to the right was a dentist office and behind the dentist office there was a movie theater. The door to the movie theater ist/was that while one right in the middle... it has a staircase all of it's own.
Here in Niangua we have a Post office with a hand-painted sign. When you go in to buy stamps the postmaster is friendly, smiling and helpful! If there ever is a wait you are always standing next to a neighbor who is always happy to pass some time and trade a tad of the local gossip.
Updates! The post office is moving into the modern age and now has an official-looking metal sign. But to all of out great relief the service is as stellar as ever and the folk still gossip in the lobby about the local happenings.
There is always much to see and photograph in the country. I seem to have a penchant for old, run-down buildings and barns...this is one of the local housing opportunities
And if you have a thing for old buildings and stuff there is a special section at AnotherCupOfTea.com for old buildings, rusting things and stuff of that nature... what's more Ihave hundres' more images of that type to add to the database, so keep checking back!
Niangua, Missouri
