The town of Fulton, Callaway Kingdom, is the county seat of Callaway County, Missouri. Kingdom? This nickname dates back to 1861 and the Civil War. Missouri was one of those states whose population was largely divided between the North and the South. Although Missouri decided not to secede from the Union, Callaway County attempted to secede from the state as an independent nation, the Kingdom of Callaway.
Although it didn’t work out, this sobriquette makes for an interesting slogan. And it’s an interesting city. The main attraction is the National Churchill Museum, which attracts visitors from all over the world. It was so impressive that I spent the entirety of my previous column on it. In this column, we will introduce other highlights when you visit.
If the military travels on its stomach, so do travel writers. Jack and I started our visit at Brooklyn Pizza in Fulton’s historic Brick District. And yes, the owner is from Brooklyn. Their pizza was named Missouri’s Best Pizza of 2024 by readers of Rural Missouri, Missouri’s rural electric cooperative magazine. Not only was the pizza delicious, but it was also a great value. I had a sliced cheese pizza with onions and mushrooms, a salad, and a drink for less than $7.
The Brick District encompasses approximately nine blocks of the oldest part of downtown. Stroll through the district and you’ll find historical buildings as well as some really cool little shops and boutiques.
One of the coolest ones is “Remake for Purpose.” The store’s stated goal is to “employ adults with disabilities and enable them to use their unique talents in purposeful, respectful and useful work.” It’s a combination of an upscale resale boutique and a workshop where employees create beautiful wreaths and wall decorations.
I’m a popcorn lover, so Gopaw Gourmet Popcorn was a must-visit. Owners Brooke and Nick Bartlett use locally sourced grain in their air pops. We make our own seasonings using real butter. Then toast the popcorn and add a nice finishing touch to your snack. “We have about 70 flavors, but we only sell 12 to 16 a week,” Brooke said.
We guarantee you’ll find something to tickle your taste buds. Choices include Everything Tiger (yes, that’s Mizzou), buttery cheddar with Everything Bagel seasoning, dark chocolate with sea salt, birthday cake, and even dill pickles.
This building was built in 1890 and housed a dry goods store. Go-Po has original flooring, counters, and large tables where guests often gather to buy popcorn and pick up a game from shelves stocked with nearly 600 options.
The Beks restaurant, located in a separate old building, serves fine cuisine. Who knew you could find truffles in Missouri? This restaurant was awarded “Best Restaurant” in rural Missouri. Jack enjoyed a wonderful filet mignon and I tried the cheese pizza topped with truffles. Really amazing!
As you drive down 7th Avenue, you’ll see beautiful historic homes. West 300 block is the best. Many of the homes were built in the Queen Anne Revival style, and many were designed by the town’s leading architect, MF Bell.
The house at 310 West 7th Street was built in 1889 for Dr. Edgar Marques, a Latin professor at the University of Westminster. Today is the Loganberry Inn, where Jack and I spent the night.
The Inn is owned by Nanette and Robert King. The elegant Victorian mansion has hosted many international celebrities, from Winston Churchill’s daughter Lady Mary Soames to Polish President Lech Walesa, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Our room was charming and comfortable, with a king-sized bed (homemade chocolate chip cookies awaited us), a built-in bookshelf, and an original fireplace with an electric insert.
Breakfast started with juice, coffee and a fruit cup with mint and honey. The meal included homemade multigrain bread, Kuroshio and strawberry jam, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Nanette is a holistic chef and can accommodate special dietary requirements such as plant-based, diabetic, and keto diets. And she shares her recipes.
Our last visit in Fulton was a big surprise. The approximately 80 vehicles on display represent approximately 60 percent of the late Bill Bakker’s personal collection.
Bakker earned a degree in chemistry from the University of Westminster and worked for several years as a mechanical engineer at Ford. In 1957, he returned to Fulton and worked with his father, who founded a potato chip factory in 1931. In addition to making potato chips (the family business is still thriving), Bakker, who passed away in 2008, enjoyed collecting cars.
Auto World’s building may be unassuming, but the cars inside will knock your socks off. Models range from a 1902 Oldsmobile Runabout to a 1997 solar-powered car designed and engineered by University of Missouri students.
My favorites included an elegant 1932 LaSalle touring car with a stylish red 1929 Cord and a striking, shiny grille and lights. After that visit, we got back into our regular car and headed home.
Our visit to Fulton was less than 24 hours, which wasn’t long enough. Check out the hyperlink “http://www.visitfulton.com” www.visitfulton.com before getting more suggestions. Direct driving takes approximately 7 hours. The best idea is to make it a real road trip and visit interesting spots along the way.
Nanette’s Roasted Grapefruit (Nanette says, “It looks difficult, but it’s actually easy. It’s the most requested recipe.”)
material:
grapefruit
brown sugar
cinnamon powder
Greek yogurt, plain or vanilla
honey
Cut the grapefruit in half and carefully cut around the perimeter of each piece. Line an oven-safe baking dish with foil to make cleanup easier. Spread 1/2 to 1 teaspoon brown sugar over the fruit. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake on the top rack for 3 to 5 minutes, until the skin begins to blacken and the sugar dissolves but the fruit does not burn. Cool to desired temperature. Serve with a spoonful of yogurt and honey.
