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Burger's Smokehouse
Burger's Smokehouse is Central Missouri’s link to the eighteenth century art of meat curing. Located along the
Moreau River, Burger's Smokehouse is three miles south of California on a farm just off Highway 87. The Smokehouse
is open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The "Good Ole Days Theater" is open daily and offers visitors a glimpse of
what goes on throughout the facility. Three museum-quality dioramas in the Visitors Center points out the
importance of the changing seasons as they relate to the natural curing, drying, and aging of a properly prepared
country cured ham. Large groups are welcome. Just phone 1-800-705-2323 to provide the number in the group and time
of arrival. A snack bar is located in the reception area adjacent to the Visitors Center. Soft drinks and smoked
meat sandwiches are available. The retail sales area provides a wide variety of cured and smoked meats and poultry.
Free catalogs are available on request. Contact: Gerald Taylor. Phone 1-800-705-2323.
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California Country Club
A nine-hole golf course is located northwest of California on County Club Road. Available for visitors with
payment of green fees during the week. Phone (573) 796-2089.
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California Shooters Club
The California Shooters Club is located five miles east of California on Highway 50, then one mile south on a
gravel road. Arrangements can be made for special events such as archery, trap, skeet and black powder rendezvous.
Contact: Russell Clennin (573) 796-2015.
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Cargill Baseball Diamonds
Two new lighted ball diamonds have been added to the existing two diamonds for a total of four, and the California
Lions Club installed dugout benches on each field. In addition, the entire complex has been fenced, playground
equipment and a flag pole have been added, bleachers and sound equipment have been added to each field, and
concrete stairs have been added from the parking lot to the largest, primary field.
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Cultural Heritage Center
The Cultural Heritage Center, located at 201 North High Street, is a development by California Progress Inc. and
the Moniteau County Historical Society. What used to be the old Post Office is now a cultural center for the
community and the county. The center houses information and special exhibits on the history of Moniteau County, a
library for genealogy research, public meeting rooms, an information center, and gift shop. The outdoor area is
landscaped and prepared for shows, demonstrations, and socials during the summer months. The meeting room and
lawn are available for meetings and reunions. Contact: Richard Schroeder, Historical Society, (573) 796-2250.
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Double X Speedway
Located west of California on Highway 50, Double X Speedway has
auto races every Sunday night from mid-May through mid-September
featuring street stock, sportmans, winged sprints, and hobby
stocks. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., races at 7:30 p.m. Grandstand
Admission, $5.00. Ten and under free. Pit passes, $15.00. Kyle
Wirts, track owner. Races promoted by the Sportsman Racing
Association.
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Eitzen House
This fine old house located in California was built in 1898 by Charles A. Eitzen at a cost of $30,000. Oliver
Sprouse was the architect, Blazer Bros. were the stone masons and the Inmans the bricklayers. It has 5 rooms on
the first floor, 5 on the second and 4 rooms on the third. Nine fireplaces are in the house. Some of the large
closets and pantries are now used as extra rooms, making a total of 19 rooms.
It still has the original slate roof. The outside walls are 22 inches thick and the inside ones 14 inches. An
iron fence set in concrete and stone surrounds the grounds which cover an entire block. A "widow's walk" can be
seen on the top. Walter Eitzen, a son, lived in the house until 1952 when he moved to a new home on Rice
Blvd. A carriage house and stable with a room above for the coachman is still standing adjacent to the house on
the west side. It was strictly modern with steam heat and private water works.
The Eitzen House is currently a private residence.
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Moniteau County Courthouse
The Moniteau County Courthouse, built in 1867, replaced a 20-year-old brick building and is now one of the oldest
courthouses in Missouri. Nearly all of the county’s business is still conducted inside this one building. The
interesting semicircular front portico very closely resembles the same feature of the former State Capitol built
in 1840. Note the square mounted abaci on top of the brick columns. The same features on the State Capitol were
oriented in a curved line with the portico. Here the abaci are in line with the courthouse walls.
The only major interior change over all the years has been the removal of one side of the double staircase. The
courthouse is nearly unchanged from its original design and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The marker on the lawn describes the origin of our county’s name. The first floor contains two interesting museum
displays by the Historical Society. One is a history of the county from pre-settlement, including natural features
and Indians, to the days of early settlement. The other display describes the participation of Moniteau County
servicemen in our nation’s wars. Items pertaining to the county’s history are offered for sale including books,
postcards, audio tapes, atlas, and cemetery records.
The courthouse lawn and sidewalk is named "Heritage Square" and has been landscaped with tree plantings, benches,
period lighting and brick sidewalks. The bricks in the sidewalks are engraved with the names of citizens, events,
and organizations associated with Moniteau County. A granite paver has the engraved image of the Manito and names
of Moniteau County towns. Personalized bricks may be purchased through applications available at the courthouse.
The funds received from the development of this "Heritage Square" are used to restore and landscape the courthouse.
The Moniteau County Courthouse is located on the square in downtown California.
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Moniteau County Fair
The Moniteau County Fair began in 1866 and is believed to be the oldest continuous fair west of the
Mississippi. Events include a tractor pull, demolition derby, horse show, country western singers and a two-night
rodeo. This is an annual event held during the first full week of August at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds.
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Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival
Held annually on the third Saturday in September, the Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival is considered one of the fastest
growing festivals in mid-Missouri. The Ozark Ham & Turkey festival is a one-day festival designed to showcase two
of the major industries in California and Moniteau County. Billed as having "something for everyone", the Ozark
Ham & Turkey Festival has activities throughout town. See the
Ham & Turkey Festival section of this web site for
more information.
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Prairie Home Wildlife Area
The 1,455-acre Prairie Home Wildlife Area, located west of Jamestown near Prairie Home, is managed by the Missouri
Department of Conservation for multiple use. Hunting and fishing are the primary uses. Other activities may
include mushroom hunting, nature study, primitive camping, and horseback riding on a designated trail. The
Buckhorn Hiking Trail, an eight-mile circular trail, is developed for hikers. Contact: Missouri Department of
Conservation, 1907 Hillcrest, Columbia, MO 65201.
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Rice House
This stately mansion built in 1867 by Niles Rice, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located
at 205 South Oak Street, California, the Victorian home has 12-foot ceilings, six-foot hallways, and 36 narrow
seven-foot windows.
The Rice House is currently a private residence.
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Wood Place Library
The 1954 endowment from Elia Wood Paegelow provided the funds for the first California public lending library. The library is now located
at 501 S. Oak Street. Individuals residing outside the California City Limits, pay a small out-of-tax-district annual fee to use this
spacious modern library. The library provides a complete children's collection, subscriptions to newspapers and magazines, and adult fiction
and non-fiction books. Selected works are available in large print books and audio books. Small video and Spanish language collections have
been added as well. The library has computers, a copier and a fax machine for public use. They regularly offers adult education classes,
exhibits and programming for children. (573) 796-2642. Librarian, Lisa Marshall.
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