History 2 - Excelsior Citizen

Healing Waters Below, Historic Charm Above: The Hiawatha House

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By Elizabeth Barnt / August 18, 2025 / 6 minutes of reading

Excelsior Springs built its reputation on mineral waters that drew thousands of visitors in the early 20th century. The Hiawatha Boarding House stood at the heart of this movement, offering not only lodging but also access to the Excelsior Soda Well, one of the district’s most distinctive springs. Today, the home survives as one of the last intact boarding houses in the city.

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Royal Secrets Unearthed: The Rise and Fall of a Historic Missouri Hotel

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By Elizabeth Barnt / August 11, 2025 / 5 minutes of reading

For more than a century, the Royal Hotel stood as a centerpiece of Excelsior Springs, hosting guests from near and far who came for the healing mineral waters and the glamour of its grand ballroom. From its humble beginnings as a tavern to its transformation into a six-story showpiece, the Royal witnessed the town’s golden age and its own eventual decline.

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The Oaks Apartments: Once a Grand Hotel, Now a Living Landmark

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By Elizabeth Barnt / July 28, 2025 / 6 minutes of reading

What began as one man’s vision for a healing retreat grew into one of Excelsior Springs’ most iconic landmarks. The Snapp Hotel, now The Oaks Apartments, rose from the ashes of a devastating fire in 1912 to become a bustling destination of elegance and wellness. Today, it stands not only as a physical remnant of the city’s past but as a living tribute to its spirit.

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Legacy of the Pharis Family Lives On Through the Land

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By Elizabeth Barnt / June 30, 2025 / 5 minutes of reading

Tucked between Excelsior Springs and Liberty, the Pharis Farm stands as a living reminder of Missouri’s rural past and the people who shaped it. From its 1836 founding by the Bell family to its transformation into a conservation-minded educational farm under Donald and Helen Pharis, the 160-acre property continues to preserve its history through community tours, agriculture exhibits, and hands-on learning experiences.

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Excelsior Citizen

Excelsior Citizen

Excelsior Citizen

News for Excelsior Springs, MO

Healing Waters Below, Historic Charm Above: The Hiawatha House

Royal Secrets Unearthed: The Rise and Fall of a Historic Missouri Hotel

The Oaks Apartments: Once a Grand Hotel, Now a Living Landmark

Legacy of the Pharis Family Lives On Through the Land

News for and About Excelsior Springs!