Did you know Walt Disney lived in Missouri? Have you heard of a little town called Marceline? About three hours north of Saint Louis, this little town is what Walt called his home. Marceline was the beginning of Disney's journey.
My mom and I took the trip to Marceline to see what this was all about. Being big Disney fans, we didn't know what to expect. My mom wore her Walt Disney World sweatshirt and I wore my Minnie Mouse ears to show our love for the great Walt Disney. As we toured this town, we realized there were so many things to be learned about our hero.
In 1906, Walt and his family moved from Chicago, Illinois to Marceline, Missouri because his father, Elias Disney, was worried about the influence the neighborhood kids had on his children. The Disney's moved to a 40-acre farm that Elias bought from his brother. On this farm, Walt's older brothers, Herbert, Raymond, and Roy were expected to work. Walt was in charge of taking care of his younger sister, Ruth.
Walt and Ruth spent most of their time playing in the barn and under the large cottonwood tree nearby. Later, this cottonwood is named "Walt's Dreaming Tree." This is believed to be where the magical world of Disney began. Walt would tell Ruth stories and even doodle the characters and scenes out on a tablet with chalk.
One of the most talked about stories of Walt and Ruth in their adventures was the day they decided to put on a circus in the barn. They invited all the neighborhood kids and charged them ten cents. When they got into the barn and found that Walt and Ruth had just put doll clothes on the farm animals. The neighbors were disappointed and wanted a refund. Walt and Ruth didn't want to give back the money they had made but their mother, Flora, stepped in and told Walt to give back the money. Walt learned the important lesson of making sure his customers are happy when they leave (because then they will likely return).
Unfortunately, in 2016, Walt's barn and Dreaming Tree don't exist anymore. After years of ice storms, lightning strikes, and regular wear and tear, those pieces of Walt are long gone. Fortunately, the spirit of Disney's Dreaming Tree still lives on. Walt's grandsons and Disney Ambassadors took samplings from the Dreaming Tree, soil from Magic Kingdom in Anaheim, California, and planted it near where the Dreaming Tree would be! I got to stand and reflect in the shadow of Walt Disney.
In 2003, a group of volunteers in Marceline decided to recreate Walt's barn. This barn was made in replica to the one on his barn and the one he had created in his backyard in California. This is where Walt went to reflect and create. Today, hundreds of cartoonist and fans have come to this barn in Marceline and put their autograph, drawn cartoons (favored Mickey Mouse), and left notes in honor of Walt Disney. I left one myself (don't mind my handwriting).
"Walt, You are inspirational for all of us small town kids. Love, Jennifer W."
Walt Disney was a very attracted to nature. He seemed to find himself clearly in the middle of nature. He was fascinated by trains, but he was always distracted by the countryside out his window. He discovered Mickey Mouse on one of those rides across the countryside. I like to believe we can find the magic of Disney in everywhere we go.
I got to stand in the field that Walt Disney played in as a child. I felt as though if I could rewind time, I could talk to Walt or watch him and his sister play on their little farm. The three-hour car ride was worth just that feeling. If you get the chance, visit Marceline.
