There are a number of stories and legends behind Missouri’s sobriquet “Show-Me” state. The slogan is not official, but is common throughout the state and is used on Missouri license plates.

The most widely known legend attributes the phrase to Missouri’s U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver, who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1897 to 1903. While a member of the U.S. House Committee on Naval Affairs, Vandiver attended an 1899 naval banquet in Philadelphia. In a speech there, he declared, “I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.

And Show Me they did…After several false starts and driving from 9am to 6pm we finally found one of the greatest antique malls–ever.

Artichoke Annie’s on I-70 outside of Columbia was huge, crammed full of quality goods and very helpful people.  Every booth was interesting and it made choosing what to and how much to buy difficult.  A delicious predicament.

The Show Me State Delivers

We spent 8 ours inside this antique mall and could have spent more.  Quality Quality Quality!

Choose your Carriage or Buggy as we say in the south.  These are your shopping carts for the duration of your stay.

Shopping Carts Artichoke Annie Style

The goods that got away.

The lovely green quilt that got away

Ready Set Fill.

Some of the wonderful items I acquired included:

A vintage ice cream cone holder/rack, a berry sorting table, 2  quilts, an Edwardian gold filled necklace, gifts for my family, an entire collection of bugs, moths and butterflies curated by someone named Danny Horlick (we think he grew up to be a etymologist), old frame with wavy glass, several bags of tatted lace, a vintage sign advertising a garden center, folk art carved and painted big wood arrow and more….

Pictures to come, for now my feet are up, and I am planning for tomorrows hunt.