A wise man once said, “A garden is a friend you can visit anytime.” There is such a garden in Cuba, Missouri!

This early photo from the Cuba Free Press by Percy Pascoe

BEFORE:

At the corner of Hwy 19 and Route 66, there once was a broken-down, abandoned greenhouse until the community volunteers of Viva Cuba got a hold of it in 1991. This project was just the start of great things to come. Community members generously offered manual labor, sweat, and probably a few tears, as the garden transformed from thorns and debris to open green space. The names of everyone involved are proudly displayed on a plaque attached to a large rock in the garden. In addition, trees, shrubs, and benches were also adopted. The garden was officially dedicated in 1994.  The Viva Cuba Garden has always been a labor of love. For almost thirty years, dedicated volunteers care for the garden seasonally and decorate for holidays.

 

 

 

“We do it for our community and for all those who pass through our great city. We want to keep Cuba beautiful every day of the year!  When we all work together, great things happen.” ~ Jill Barnett, Viva Cuba Chairperson.

 

 

AFTER:

While the project took several years, the ideas kept coming. To commemorate Cuba’s Sesquicentennial and the impact the railroad had on the town, Viva Cuba commissioned a replica of the 1873 Cuba Salem Branch train. Created by father and son team Glen and Curtis Tutterrow, the 15’ train became a permanent addition to the garden in 2008.   

Now a roadside attraction for those traveling Route 66, the Viva Cuba Garden offers much more than an opportunity for a selfie, but a chance to reflect and relax.

NOW

Underfoot, there is also something beautiful, a brick-lined sidewalk. This path is inscribed with the names of mothers, fathers, and families who support and love the town. These red reminders of community and service create something beautiful on their own.

Today, the garden greets thousands as they drive to work, or “get their kicks on Route 66.”  Stop by and stroll it for yourself! 

Every spring, for over three decades, Viva Cuba sponsors a TRASH BASH event, the first Saturday in May, as a city-wide effort to keep Cuba clean. Organizers meet at the Viva Cuba Garden at 8:30 a.m. to provide details and materials for trash pickup. Call Linda Prevost for more information: 573-205-8347.

Viva Cuba is a beautification group formed in 1984 with the mission to keep the town clean and beautiful!