Welcome to the Sarcoxie Historic Square, a quaint yet significant piece of Missouri’s rich tapestry of history. Established in the early 1830s, Sarcoxie was originally known as Centerville, given its location on Center Creek. However, in 1839, it was renamed in honor of Chief Sarcoxie of the Delaware Indians, who had settled near a spring within the town’s current boundaries. This small town played a memorable role in the agricultural landscape of the United States, once proudly holding the title of the ‘Strawberry Capital of the World.’ Today, it remains the ‘Peony Capital of the World,’ thanks to the efforts of Gilbert H. Wild, one of America’s largest growers of daylilies, iris, and peonies.
During the Civil War, Sarcoxie found itself amid significant military movements. On June 28, 1861, Franz Sigel’s independent command passed through, marking the town’s involvement in the tumultuous period. The town’s Cave Spring School and Cave Spring Cemetery, along with the Public Square Historic District, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving the unique heritage of this area.
Sarcoxie has also been home to unique cultural elements, such as its own currency featuring a strawberry, symbolizing its agricultural prominence. As you explore the historic square, imagine the bustling activity of past generations, the vibrant markets filled with strawberries, and the community gatherings that have shaped its history. These stories and landmarks paint a vivid picture of a town that, while small in size, has had a significant impact on the broader historical context of Missouri and the Midwest.
