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Sometime previously, Larry had built a stone wall adjacent to his
house and the
Indian told
him to put stairs there because the spirits were unable to get over
the wall. Well, Larry did just that. He built those stairs
to nowhere and when they were complete, the knocking stopped.
Baggett originally
acquired the property with the intention of building a campground, but
these plans were changed when his wife died. Instead he has
built a tribute to the
Trail of
Tears. At the entrance to his property is a stone archway
labeled "Trail
of Tears" that sits between a statue of himself on one side, and
another pouring water out of a bucket on the other side. On the
property is a number of stone walls, more statues, a wishing well,
several rock gardens, and a sign that describes the plight of the
American Indians
who suffered along the
Trail of
Tears. His big stone house is constructed around three
living trees.
Larry himself, is as interesting as the
place that he has constructed. Though born in 1925, he claims to
be only about 30 years old, because that's when he started living. Only after a doctor gave him 18 months to live, because of two heart
attacks and a severe case of diabetes, did his life begin. Larry
has a unique perspective on life and death and everything else in
between, as he tells you about his astral travels, views on religion,
astrology, and all manner of other topics.
Baggett's memorial has attracted all kinds
of attention and has made him into a local legend as the media focuses
on "local curiosities" and tourists seek out cultural oddities on old
Route 66.
He has been featured on several local stations as well as in a
documentary televised in Great Britain.
The monument is located on an abandoned
stretch of
Route 66 near Jerome,
Missouri
about a quarter-mile from the remains of the former Stonydell Resort.
Mr. Baggett, unfortunately, passed away in
2003 and before long, his "shrine" was sold. As of November, 2007, it
was standing empty.
To see this monument take the Jerome exit off of I-44 in
Missouri. Take a right at
the T intersection and head toward Jerome. Baggett's place is a few
hundred yards from the intersection, on your left as you head east.
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