Clinton, MO was once known far and wide for shipping out millions of baby chicks!
There were 22 hatcheries in Henry County, fifteen in Clinton alone, about five more in Montrose and Windsor and a few other out-of-county locations. The first “sign” of spring for the local post office was the incessant peeps of as many as 20,000 to 270,000 being shipped in a single day, with totals of 3 million for the year. Missouri joined Texas and Oklahoma as the main states for providing chicks in the 20’s and 30’s.
The Gallery Three has been collecting stories and info about these hatcheries. We commemorate them each fall with a Peepfest contest. We have asked area artists to create a baby chicken, this year in any format, to be turned in to the Gallery, 137 S. Washington, by Saturday, September 30th and displayed and judged in October. The winner will be determined by People’s Choice. For additional information contact us at (660) 885-3296 or stop in and say hello.
Submitted by Trish Meyers.
