Missouri...Southern or Midwestern? (Kansas City, St. Louis: insurance, transfer, tornado)

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by FrenchAmerican0721

Overall, I would say that Missouri is a midwestern state. However, the southern most part of Missouri is definitely a part of Dixie. Southern most Missouri from US 60 south is pretty southern in style, accent, and culture. The southern part of the Missouri Ozarks is a very conservative area, and they are definitely a part of the Bible Belt like most of the South. I would say that places like the Bootheel, Joplin, Springfield, and Branson are Southern by most definitions. I would even say that parts of southwestern Missouri begin to have more of a Westerm feel to it than Midwestern. Southwestern Missouri borders Oklahoma which most people consider a Southwestern state. So you definitely begin to see Western influences by the time you reach southwestern Missouri. The southwestern part of Missouri reminds me of western Louisiana in some ways. Western Louisiana is definitely southern, but it also begins to have a western feel to it being so close to Texas.

That's the most accurate depiction of Missouri IMO that I've heard throughout this whole thread, FrenchAmerican. Agreed 100%.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by ajf131

Look at maps and they will prove otherwise Missouri is definitely almost entirely in the corn belt.

What I mean is that I do not think it is possible that 85-90% of all the land in Missouri is part of the corn and soybean belt. It corn belt covers a large area of Missouri but not the high percentages you state, because Missouri has a lot of forest land. The maps that I have seen does not suggest a large amount of acerage in the Ozarks given over to corn and soybean farming. The highest acerage concentrations are definitely in the Midwest core. Besides, the Ozarks continue to have problems with rural poverty and the continuation of people living in rural counties with few jobs. Most of Missouri is culturally southern, especially in the rural areas.

[Kelley959]

Originally Posted by ajf131

Florida is Dixie. In Orlando outside of Disney World is a laid-back town dominated by the Bible with plenty of Dixieness to it. You certainly couldn't call Florida Northern ROFL! i've heard plenty of Southern accents down there...the houses there are mostly one-story and have no basements...that is a CLASSIC characteristic of the South. You can find sweet tea in many restaurants. Before New Yorkers came down Florida was already a well-established Dixie state and I think it still is...it's just had a lot of Northerners come down there.

North Central Florida is REDNECK...THese people drive around worse cars than anything in Arkansas or Missouri. We're looking to relocate to Missouri, possibly Farmington. But I'm sorry been in N.C. Florida for a year and it's trash...40 percent poverty in Columbia and Suwannee Counties

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by Plains10

What I mean is that I do not think it is possible that 85-90% of all the land in Missouri is part of the corn and soybean belt. It corn belt covers a large area of Missouri but not the high percentages you state, because Missouri has a lot of forest land. The maps that I have seen does not suggest a large amount of acerage in the Ozarks given over to corn and soybean farming. The highest acerage concentrations are definitely in the Midwest core. Besides, the Ozarks continue to have problems with rural poverty and the continuation of people living in rural counties with few jobs. Most of Missouri is culturally southern, especially in the rural areas.

I disagree strongly about most of Missouri being culturally southern, especially the Northern half, but agree the highest concentrations of corn are in the "quote-on-quote" Midwest core...which I define as being above U.S. 50...but plenty of corn grows well down to U.S. 60 in Missouri...I have been down I-44 and I-55 plenty of times and there is plenty of farmland in addition to the mountain, not as much as, "the Midwest core," but certainly enough that you have to acknowledge it. Besides the Ozarks comprise under 50% of Missouri the last time I checked...they dont' begin until around Rolla. The stuff you see north of there are either the Mississippi, Meramec, or Missouri river bluffs. If most of Missouri were culturally southern, then St. Louis and KC would be as well..but they are solidly Midwestern. I find it fairly safe to say Missouri is more Midwestern than Southern...but again..my opinion only.

[Northwoods Voyager]

I still think 'Southern Midwest State' Kinda like the ring to that.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by Northwoods Voyager

I still think 'Southern Midwest State' Kinda like the ring to that.

I can buy that term possibly...I could compromise or lean towards more Midwestern. My vote is that Missouri should be further divided by U.S. 60. The parts around and below U.S. 60 should be included in the South. the rest the Midwest...I dunno..the real truth is Missouri is different depending on where you are in the state. Around and below U.S. 60 it strikes me as being more like Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. Above there it reminds me more of Kansas, Illinois, or Iowa, or it is just its own identity, like ANY state in the United States. I think Missouri is definitely overall more Midwestern than Southern.

[DocGSD]

We can argue this point forever. It really comes down to each persons mentality or background. Other than that... Who cares!!!

[Northwoods Voyager]

Originally Posted by GSD353

We can argue this point forever. It really comes down to each persons mentality or background. Other than that... Who cares!!!

Ahhhhh, thank you.....

[ajf131]

I think what it all boils down to is that when taking both the area below U.S. 60 and above into account, you do get a Southern-Midwestern state. So in the long run, I guess it is both. I don't really care anymore...leave the issue alone...cause it's both, anyway you put it.

[cheryljo]

It doesn't bother me at all. It's amazing to study the history around us. We have underground railroad rooms in the houses around the square where I grew up. We had such a clash of cultures right here in these 2 square miles. Order 11 destroyed so much of the southern minded family homes but there is still alot left to learn from. Everyone should come see Independence and deside.