Village Profile Presents

There is much to see and do in Moberly, Randolph County, and the surrounding area.

The Moberly area has several appealing places to stay, including three hotels and a bed-and-breakfast. The county is home to dozens of restaurants. Choices range from down-home country cooking to all-you-can-eat buffets to fast food and carry-out. There is something to satisfy everyone’s appetite!

Randolph County is well-known for some of the best and most diversified hunting in the state. Deer, turkey, rabbits, quail, squirrels, and doves are plentiful. The fishing is also outstanding, with lakes abundant in crappie, bass, sunfish, catfish, and others. Public fishing lakes include Rothwell Park Lake, Sugar Creek Lake, and Thomas Hill Lake.

Located just a few miles west of Moberly on Highway 24 is Shepherd Farms, Inc. This 3000 acre, working farm is home to over 600 head of buffalo. You can observe the herd and then purchase buffalo meat in their store. Shepherd Farms is also home to a large pecan orchard and the nation’s largest producer of Eastern Gamagrass.

For those who enjoy a quiet drive in the country, an Amish community is found in the southeastern part of the county. Stretching into several surrounding counties, this area provides an opportunity for a first-hand glimpse of the way things were done when horses supplied the power.

Located south of Higbee and west of Clark, Rudolf Bennitt Wildlife Area consists of 3500 acres of gently rolling, forested terrain. Evidence of long-ago native American habitation remains in certain parts of this rugged area, which also provides excellent hunting, hiking, fishing, and camping.

Thomas Hill Lake and Conservation Area, located 10 miles north of Huntsville, offers fishing, water skiing, and boating. This 4950-acre, man-made lake was created to provide cooling water for the turbines of Thomas Hill Power Plant, and the "warm-water" arm of the lake offers year-round fishing and larger-than-normal catches. There are four primitive campgrounds with numbered campsites, and three overflow camping areas.

Drive 18 miles east of Moberly on Highway 24 and take Route C to one of the last remaining covered bridges in the state of Missouri—the Union Covered Bridge is a piece of history the entire family will enjoy seeing.

The Pinnacles and Finger Lakes State Park are located in northern Boone County. The natural beauty of bluffs and unique rock formations can be seen at The Pinnacles, located 12 miles south of Clark on Highway 63. Finger Lakes State Park, a few miles farther south, is a reclaimed strip mining area. It is host to ATV trails and is one of the few local areas where this sport is permitted.

Mizzou Speedway, a 4/10 mile dirt racetrack attracts drivers and fans from all over the country. Events include open and B-modified stock cars, "thunder trucks", sprint cars, and pure stocks. Races are held each Saturday evening beginning in April. HLR Motorsports Park is located near Huntsville. This dirt track opens each year in March and is the site of go-cart and motorcycle racing.

Cultural events in the area are presented through many sources. The Moberly Area Council on the Arts brings top-quality, professional entertainment several times a year, from orchestras, dance troupes, jugglers, folk musicians, and storytellers to full-scale musicals and ballets.

The local Community Theater utilizes the talents of area actors to present at least one play each year. Usually done in the dinner-theater format, these plays offer the unique opportunity to see your neighbors assume a different character on stage.

Moberly Area Community College students present plays and concerts throughout the year in their 400-seat Fine Arts Auditorium. Moberly Senior High School is the site for a student-produced musical each November and other plays and concerts during the school year. The High School Jazz band consistently brings home top honors in state-wide competitions.

Central Christian College of the Bible’s major production is its annual Living Christmas Tree, held annually in Pelfrey Hall on the second weekend in December. This holiday program is a must-see for those in need of a dose of Christmas spirit.

The annual Native American Pow-Wow is a combination family reunion and "celebration of the people." Ceremonial dancing, drum contest, tepees and traditional Native American crafts and foods characterize this family-oriented event held in Rothwell Park the weekend after Labor Day.

Randolph County residents love a good fair and there are several from which to choose. Experience our culture and customs as neighbors unite for inexpensive, fun-filled family entertainment.

The Randolph County Flywheel Reunion is held the third weekend in June at the Huntsville Fairgrounds. This event includes displays of old tractors, horse, tractor, and garden tractor pulls and live entertainment nightly, plus other events.

One of the oldest outdoor horse shows in the nation occurs on the last weekend of June. The Huntsville Horse Show includes 17 classes each night.

The Randolph County Fair is held in late July in Moberly’s Rothwell Park. A county-wide event, the fair features 4-H Achievement Days and the 4-H and FFA Livestock Shows. Many displays and fun-filled events are featured next to the carnival’s midway.

Other area fairs include The Jacksonville Jubilee (third Saturday in July), Higbee Fair (late August), Randolph County Old Settlers Reunion and Fall Fair (second Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of September), and Cairo/Jacksonville Pioneer Day (third Saturday of September).

Hollywood buffs will enjoy a modern movie theater located at the north edge of the city. This facility includes five indoor theaters and one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in the country. When this new movie establishment was built in 1997, the Randolph County Historical Society was pleased to accept the donation of the former 4th Street Cinema building. This historic theater is being renovated for the community.

Leisure time activities not only rest our minds after a long day on the job; they also keep us physically fit and improve our health and quality of life. Sports develop a spirit of friendship and teamwork. Even if you’re only participating as a spectator, the feeling of community is evident as you cheer on your spouse, child, neighbor, or coworker. The challenge of demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship is as rewarding as playing the game.

One of Moberly’s greatest assets is Rothwell Park. With fifty acres of water surface and over 447 wooded acres, it is home to several ball fields, tennis courts, a walking trail, public swimming pool, archery range, and many other recreational facilities. The Lionel Thompson Campground is located at the west edge of the park. It will have 36 units with tent sites, water and electricity available.

Three other parks are located within the city limits. Fox Park, on Russ Haven Drive, has a children’s playground, tennis courts, and a shelter house. Tannehill Park is located directly behind the Moberly Post Office. A gazebo and fountain are the main attractions there. Beuth Park, located on the site of an old quarry, provides tables for picnicking, a small lake for family fishing, and a unique bridge.

Sugar Creek Lake Recreation Area is located three miles north of Moberly just off Route DD. Sugar Creek Lake is the principal water supply for the city of Moberly. Operated by Moberly Parks and Recreation Department, the 360-acre lake is open to the public. Adjoining recreational areas provide shelter houses and other picnic facilities.

Golfers will find several fun and challenging courses. Public courses in the county include a nine-hole course located one mile east of Clark on Route B, and an 18-hole course located two miles northeast of Moberly off Highway 24. The Moberly Country Club on Route JJ west of Moberly offers a members-only 18-hole course. Additional practice is available at two local driving ranges.

Moberly Area Community College is the home of the Greyhound and Lady Greyhound basketball teams. Both have gained national prominence over the years for their quality of play. In 1998 a new multipurpose building was opened on the MACC campus. This building is not only the venue for exciting basketball, it is used for professional concerts, farm shows, cooking shows, and other activities which require a large facility. When not in use for scheduled programs, it is open for the public to utilize the 1/8 mile indoor walking/jogging concourse.

Keeping good health in mind, Moberly Regional Medical Center’s Wellness Center, and the Downtown Athletic Club on Reed Street in Moberly, provide a wide range of fitness activities, including fitness equipment, racquetball and aerobics. One-day memberships are available.

Many area residents enjoy bingo, played at various locations any night of the week. If you are looking for a more active type of indoor activity, a bowling alley features 16 lanes plus several pool tables. Another billiards establishment is also open daily on Reed Street. In addition, the Little Dixie Squares host square-dancing on alternate Saturday nights throughout the year, usually at the Municipal Auditorium.

Moberly serves as a shopping hub for the north central part of Missouri. Nationally known chains and locally owned retail establishments exist in harmony, with plenty of shopping for everyone!

Downtown Moberly is the original shopping district for the city and is still a vibrant, diversified center of retail shops, offices, and restaurants. An active downtown association coordinates special sales promotions, such as the annual Sidewalk Sale in August, Moonlight Madness in July and a Christmas promotion which includes thousands of dollars worth of prizes.

Business Highway 63, named Morley Street, is the primary north-south artery in the city and has become a shopping district in its own right. Automobile dealerships, fast-food restaurants and other businesses are located on the "magic mile".

The newest, fastest-growing retail district in Moberly is the area around the Highway 24-63 junction. This area is home to all three of the city’s motels, several restaurants, and national retail chains.

The Moberly retail community is here to serve you. Whatever your needs, you won’t be disappointed when you Shop Moberly!

The Moberly-Randolph Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is the recruitment and retention of meaningful jobs in the Moberly and Randolph County areas. The corporation is managed by a board of directors who delegate day-to-day operations to its President, an economic development professional.

The EDC, through its policy of targeted marketing, has achieved both retention and acquisition of distributing, manufacturing, and financial services jobs. During 1998, 592 new jobs were announced, 97 were retained, and 421 indirect new jobs were created as a result of these efforts.

Moberly is recognized for developing one of the first two rural fiber optic parks in the United States, taking advantage of communications technology developed by Southwestern Bell Telephone. Firms like G.E. Capital, Copelco Capital, and Dolphin Capital grew their operations or announced that Moberly was to be a center of their small ticket leasing operations. Other employers such as Norfolk/Southern Corporation, DURA Automotive, Wilson Trailer, Everlast, Brown Corporation, Heilig-Meyers Furniture, Orscheln Farm and Home Supply, Allegiance Health Care, Associated Electric, and Scholastic Books round out a high-quality, diversified employment base in Moberly.

The EDC was instrumental in starting a $500,000 project of day-care/pre-school for children of area employees. Operation is under contract to the Moberly Public Schools, making this a cutting-edge partnership between the EDC and the public schools.

During 1998 the EDC became the thirteenth such organization in the nation to meet the standards of the American Economic Development Council. Early in 1999 a new economic development area was established called "Corporation-Technology Park" This new area offers roads, rail service, and all utilities needed for development.

The people of Moberly/Randolph County are very proud of the efforts in the area of economic development and provide ample support for that continued strong effort. As stated in an article from Monitor, Leasing and Financial Services, "Hidden deep in the heart of the Midwest is Moberly, Missouri. This small town of less than 13,000 people has earned itself a solid reputation in providing excellent customer service and expertise for the equipment leasing industry...And, you’d be hard pressed to find many other communities with the same skilled labor pool and strong work ethic."

Moberly has four local radio stations, a local newspaper, two local internet-access companies, and cable and satellite television services.