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By Catherine Stortz Ripley 
Constitution-Tribune 
Posted July 08, 2010

The state-maintained Manuel G. Drumm Roadside Park near the Chillicothe municipal airport just east of town was dismantled Wednesday as part of a Missouri Department of Transportation movement to reduce the number of roadside parks and enable the department to focus more on highways.

Removed from the site were the green Manuel G. Drumm Roadside Park sign, bronze plaques that had been inset into a stone monument in memory of Manuel G. Drumm, and the large black metal sign which told about the history of Chillicothe. Also removed were the tables and barbecue pits. The shelter house was the last to go and cuts were made into the driveway to eliminate access to the former park.

What happens to the items removed from the park is undecided; however, for the time being, they are in storage. It is believed that the green park sign will be given to the Grand River Historical Society; the memorial plaques will be erected at Simpson Park; and the large Chillicothe historical sign will be erected somewhere in town.

MoDOT notified the city of Chillicothe on June 18 that the state wanted to cancel its 99-year lease with the city for the land on which the park was located. The city declined interest in taking over the park, citing increased expense and liability. "With the five city parks and the two parks downtown, we didn't want another obligation," said Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney. He also noted increased security issues because the park - while on city-owned property - is not within the city limits.

You may click on the two black and white photos here to see a closer view.

CAPTION 2: The park was established in 1958 and named in memory of a long-time president of the city park and airport board. (Chillicothe Newspapers File Photo)

CAPTION 3: Members of the Manuel G. Drumm Family who attended the dedication ceremony of the Manuel G. Drumm roadside park at the Chillicothe airport in 1958 are pictured at the monument unveiled by a nephew of the late Mr. Drumm, Manuel Drumm III, a Sikeston, Mo., lawyer. From left: Mrs. John Lidell, Columbia, Mo.; Heber Drumm, Brenham, Texas; Mrs. Heber Drumm; Mrs. Manuel Drumm, Chillicothe; Manuel Drumm III, Sikeston; Mrs. Victor Drumm, Columbia; Victor Drumm, and Mrs. Manuel Drumm III, Sikeston. Mrs. Liddell, Heber and Victor Drumm are sisters and brothers of the late Mr. Drumm. (Chillicothe Newspapers File Photo)

Marker Moved
C-T Photo/Laura Schuler
Constitution-Tribune, August 06, 2010

Jeff Gillespie (left) and Bill Boley (right) of the city street department, secure the foundation of the Manuel Drumm tribute marker with compactible fill yesterday afternoon in Simpson Park. The street department workers removed the marker from its previous location at the state highway roadside park east of town after dismantling the base and bringing it to the park by trailer. The marker, which is estimated to weigh 3,000 pounds, was dedicated in 1958 in memory of Drumm, a long-time president of the Chillicothe Park and Airport Board of the Park Board. The roadside park was recently dismantled by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

RELATED ARTICLE:

City Takes Up Drumm Signs Matter
Constitution-Tribune, July 13, 2010

Beginning Monday, July 12, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission officially ceased its obligation to maintain the Manuel Drumm Roadside Park located east of Chillicothe. The Chillicothe City Council along with MHTC terminated the 99-year lease last night during the council's regular meeting at City Hall.

Although the park was not within city limits, it is on city property, adjacent to the municipal airport. The city declined interest in taking over the park due to increased expense and liability. Airport Manager Bill Kieffer will take over maintenance for the area.

The signs however, will be distributed. The Manuel Drumm tribute marker, dedicated in 1958 in memory of Drumm, a long-time president of the Chillicothe Park and Airport Board, will be relocated to Simpson Park.

The historical marker will remain in the area, relocating to the airport. City Administrator Dean Brookshier stated this morning that the main factor behind leaving the sign in the area was the wording on the sign and the distance it is from where the final spike was driven in the track of the first railroad across Missouri.