Historical Marker Dedication Celebrates Legacy of the O’Dell Cabin

Descendants of the O'Dell and Clevenger families attended the ceremony (photos S Jason Cole)

Excelsior Springs’ history gained more recognition on Sunday, October 15, 2023, as the community and the Osage Chapter Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Colonists gathered to honor the legacy of early settlers Edwin and Lettis O’Dell. Despite the chilly winds, the atmosphere was warm with collective pride during the historical marker dedication ceremony for the O’Dell cabin, ingeniously preserved within the Excelsior Springs Golf Course Clubhouse.

A photo of the O'Dell Cabin from Excelsior Springs Museum & Archives.

A History Built of Walnut and Stone

According to local historian Sonya Morgan, In 1819, 17-year-old Edwin O’Dell left Croke County, Tennessee, to settle in Missouri territory. He traveled with his father, Caleb, three uncles and their families, and his 70-year-old grandfather, Isaac, a Revolutionary War hero. The men constructed their own boat and floated down the Big Pigeon River, the French Broad River, the Tennessee River, and the Ohio River. They went upstream on the Mississippi River to Old Franklin. From there, they traveled across the country to Ray County.

On January 25, 1823, Edwin married Lettice Clevenger, a descendent of Nehemiah Wood, another Revolutionary War soldier. On November 1, 1830, they took out a patent on the 160-acre farm and, in 1825, built the cabin. The O’Dells had 10 children, five boys and five girls, all born in the cabin. The boys were Pittman, Moses, Adam, Jesse and David. The girls were Sallie, Betsy, Esther, Ruth and Mehala. All were hard-shell Baptists.

A Historic Ceremony

Mayor Mark Spohn extended a hearty welcome to everyone assembled, underlining the significance of preserving local history for future generations. The ceremony progressed with Anne Keller explaining the rigorous NSDAC Grant Process and Ritual that led to this commemoration. The pivotal moment arrived as Mary Bliefnick and JoAnna Dale unveiled the marker, a tangible tribute to frontier resilience and ambition.

Accepting the marker on behalf of the community, Austin Hardison of the Excelsior Springs Golf Club expressed gratitude and emphasized the cabin’s symbolic representation of the city’s enduring spirit and its importance to the heritage of the golf course. Theresa Horn captivated attendees with a detailed reading of the marker, a vivid account of the cabin’s history, and the O’Dell family’s pioneering journey and contributions to Clay and Ray Counties, Missouri.

The ceremony was not just an homage to the past but also a recognition of continuity, evidenced as Mary Bliefnick acknowledged the O’Dell and Clevenger family descendants in attendance. One family descendant in attendance, Mary Ford, recently celebrated her 100th birthday. The family’s legacy, encapsulated in the tales of hardship, perseverance, and ultimate prosperity of Edwin and Lettis, resonated through the ceremony as their experiences were recounted.

ROTC Cadets from Excelsior Springs Job Corps presented the colors on a windy fall day.

Linda McElwee led the recognition of the ROTC Cadets who symbolize the nation’s future, and the ROTC Cadets dutifully retired the colors, a nod to the patriotic spirit that has persisted since the days of the O’Dells. The group reflected on the community’s journey, from the perilous days of the Civil War to the establishment of a prospering settlement. The benediction, also delivered by Linda McElwee, provided a poignant closure, uniting all in gratitude and respect for the sacrifices of the O’Dell family and other early Excelsior Springs pioneers.

The dedication ceremony went beyond a mere historical event; it was a bridge connecting the past and present, a reminder of the spirit that founded and continues to propel Excelsior Springs forward. The marker stands as not just a tribute but a commitment to remembering and learning from the stories etched in the logs of the O’Dell cabin.

This photo circa 2016 shows the cabin after the old golf course clubhouse had been demolished. A new clubhouse has since been build around the historic structure.

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2 thoughts on “Historical Marker Dedication Celebrates Legacy of the O’Dell Cabin”

  1. I am disappointed to see more incorrect history cast into the bronze plaque placed by the MSSDAC. The two civil war skirmishes in the area of the O’Dell cabin did not take place in August 1864 – as is correctly documented on the “Visit Excelsior Springs” website: “Research by local historian, Harry A. Soltysiak, points to two different skirmishes in this same location. He believes the first skirmish, the Battle of Fredricksburg, was fought on Sunday, July 17, 1864. The second skirmish was fought on August 12, 1864, but over time, they were confused and a commemorative two-ton boulder with bronze plate is inscribed with: “In memory of the soldiers of the Civil War who gave their lives at the Battle of Fredericksburg – August 12, 1864.”

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