Where are the Osage Peoples of Gravois Mills (St. Louis, Ozark: homes, live in)

[Roam-n-Red]

I have some land in Gravois Mills Mo. that has several acres of Ceramonial Grounds of the Osage Indians. It has been protected by the government for almost a century. It has always been a mystery to me as to the ceramonys that may have been preformed there. I still have a great deal I should learn of the Indiginious people that once lived and still do live in the area. If anyone can connect me with someone that can tell me more of the land I love so much it would mean a great deal to me....Thanks Roam-n-Red

[blueroadhunter]

hello, Ithink that most were moved to a res. in olk. see I also own some land on the osage reservation but also there were cherokee moved to that reservation, my blood comes from Busheyhead and he was the origional owner of the land i own. I will try to look up some history for you however i do know there are some osage still there where you are i am from that area.

I forgot to tell you there is a real good movie you aut to see called fish hawk you will love it, about the last remaining osage man in the area and he moved. it isnt a historical just a good flick.

[MissouriLady]

Camden Co., MO. Community History:
Several hundred years ago, the Osage Indians roamed the hills and valleys of what is now Missouri's Miller, Camden and Morgan Counties, which surround the Lake of the Ozarks - the northern foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Tribes of Osage Indians pushed patiently through the trees hunting deer, turkey and other wildlife. By the streams, they fished and captured beavers. Caves abound in the Ozarks, and offered temporary shelter to the Osage Indians. The Ozarks is also abundant in sinkholes, underground streams, large springs and natural bridges. Just beyond and between the hills and rocky cliffs, there are plateaus where prairie grass grew and where the Indians planted their crops of corn, beans and pumpkins.. Farmers in this three-county area continue to turn up arrowheads as they till their fields ... a constant reminder of the land's predecessors.

The white man moved from the Mississippi onto the Missouri River, then through the tributaries of the Osage and Niangua Rivers - to this beautiful, lush land. Possibly the earliest meeting of the Osage and explorers was in 1710, when a Frenchman named Claude DuTissent visited and hunted with the Osage tribes. But it wasn't until a century later that the natural wonders of the Ozarks were described by Lewis and Clark as they explored the frontier.

Gradually, commerce began between the traders from St. Louis and the Indians. The Osage bartered beaver and other animal skins, which found their way to the eastern colonies of the United States and Europe. As the traders moved into the area, the Osage ceded parcels of land to the federal government which eventually took a familiar action. In 1825, the Osage tribe was moved to reservations in Kansas and Oklahoma.

The Ozarks then became wide open for settlers who came primarily from Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Among them were hunters, such as Daniel Boone, who made a livelihood of trapping animals for their skins. However, most of the newcomers were farmers who built their log homes and churches and tilled their fields with oxen and mules. They grew crops of hay, soybeans and corn, and raised cattle and pigs to meet their needs of self-sufficiency.

Life in the Ozarks wasn't all work. The pioneers also met their need for social interaction by gathering as small communities, enjoying box suppers and music played for square, round and clog dancing. These are activities which have been passed on through generations.

You might check out the Official Website of the Osage Nation at:
www.osagetribe.com, www.nativeamericans.com, or the Camden County Library District at www.ccld.us/services/reference/specialcollection.htm (broken link). This should give you a good start if you have not already found these sites.

Happy searching
MissouriLady

[Roam-n-Red]

Wow you all have been very helpfull in providing information of the Osage people. Thank you so much. I am far from there in Southern Arizona right now but your words have brought me so much closer to the beautiful place I have in Gravois Mills. I plan on retireing to my little place there and work the land myself someday. I am sad to hear that the Osage people have had to move away to the reservations. It is like that everywhere. I have also contacted the Osage web site and I will look at the Library site as well. Thank you much Roam-n-Red