Smith Street toward the tracks was not paved in 1910, but the present streetscape is still evident.
Last week's Christmas photo of Smith Street reminded me of the 1910 shot.
A year ends and another starts for Viva Cuba and our community. In January, Viva Cuba sets our goals for 2010, and some of them will even get accomplished. I am sure that we will later add things we forgot to list, and some of our big ideas may not get accomplished. But we are are just part of the continuity of citizens working for the betterment of Cuba during its 150 plus years of history.
When you look back at Cuba’s history, there were always citizens, organizations,mayors, and council people trying to improve the town. The railroad and Route 66 drew development, but it was the citizens of Cuba who put their stamp on the town.
In 1902, the first fair was held in the Cox Drive area off School Street. Citizens bought stock in the fair to provide financing. In 1905, the fair board purchased the land by the present school, and the fair was held there until the land at Hood Park was donated to the city. Over the years, this area has developed as a recreation spot.
Streets were paved, houses received house numbers, the fire department grew, and the town worked to improve the business climate. In the early, 1900s, city fathers wanted a cold storage facility so that they could store apples until they could get the best price to ship them. Our history is rich with the efforts of our citizens to maintain a good way of life in Cuba.
Organizations formed with an interest in art and music and culture. Churches formed and expanded. Organizations for kids such as 4-H, scouting, and sports teams were formed and promoted. There were always movements underway for community improvement. At some point, the older generations turned over the reins of planning to younger townspeople who took their place to keep Cuba improving.
Viva Cuba formed in 1984 for community beautification that would help bring factories to town to create jobs. It was a marriage of beauty and practicality, and it still is. Buses come to see the murals, but we try to get them to shop and eat in our town.
As Viva Cuba sets its 2010 goals, we are just a small cog in the continuing progress of Cuba. We can’t save the world, but we can beautify our corner of it.
The Celebrating 150 Years: A History of Cuba, Missouri is a great reference book for the efforts of Cuba's families to continue the progress of their town. It can be purchased at the Crawford County History Museum on Smith Street.
In 2007, this coin was created for the sesquicentennial. It features Route 66 and the railroad, two driving forces in Cuba's development.
We can still recognize some of the old buildings on Smith Street
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