Episode 67: “The Thunderbird Spirit” – Andrew Olden (Water & Waterways, Part 7)

Water. Did you ever stop to think just how important water is to your everyday life? From health, sanitation, and nutrition, to transportation, recreation, and cultural identity, water is just as important today as it has been for countless people for generations. Whether it’s the Mississippi River, the Missouri River, or the endless list of rivers, creeks, ponds, lakes, and even fountains that dot Missouri’s landscape, this series is all about water. So, with that, let’s dive right into Water & Waterways.

This episode features Andrew Olden, a PhD candidate at the University of Missouri, discussing Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1743, an African American unit based at Washington State Park along the banks of the Big River near De Soto, Missouri, in the mid-1930s.

Episode & Banner Image: Thunderbird Lodge, Washington State Park, 2021 [Courtesy of Andrew Olden]