News Briefs: Excelsior Springs, A Community In Motion
From clouds overhead to concrete on the ground, Excelsior Springs has seen a little bit of everything this week! In this edition of news briefs, we capture the people, progress, and purpose behind the headlines, one snapshot at a time.
Excelsior Springs Rotary Donates Shoes, Socks, and Funds to Support Local Youth
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, members of the Excelsior Springs Rotary Club gathered in the Walmart parking lot to deliver a generous donation of 27 pairs of shoes, 24 pairs of socks, and $600 to support local children in need. The Club extends its thanks to the Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce and Walmart for serving as drop-off sponsors and helping make the effort a success.
All donations will be distributed through Buckner International, with items reaching children in countries such as the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. The effort is part of a wider initiative by Rotary District 6040, which partners with Buckner to provide shoes and socks to children in need, offering protection, dignity, and the opportunity to attend school.
The Excelsior Springs Rotary Club extends its heartfelt thanks to Walmart and the Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce for serving as community drop-off locations and to all local residents who contributed to this year’s drive.
For more information about the program or to get involved, visit buckner.org/shoes.
Excelsior Springs Museum Unveils New Pavilion and Patio Space
The Excelsior Springs Museum has completed a new addition along the circle drive behind the Hall of Waters, a pavilion and patio space designed to offer visitors a shaded, welcoming area to enjoy the historic grounds. Approved by the Historic Preservation Commission, the structure is temporary and not attached to the building, extending along the back of the Museum and the Francis Hotel.
In a recent Facebook post, the Museum highlighted the use of historic bricks in the construction of the patio’s pillars, which were originally laid in 2006 by a volunteer group affectionately remembered as the “lady bricklayers.” The new space honors the past while creating new opportunities for the public to gather and appreciate this cherished site.
Work Begins on Colonial Hotel Revitalization Despite Rainy Weather
Construction crews were hard at work this past week, despite the rain, beginning restoration efforts at the historic Colonial Hotel located at 328 Broadway in downtown Excelsior Springs. The project is funded in part by a $45,000 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant, awarded through Missouri Main Street Connection and the National Park Service.
The Colonial Hotel, built in 1924 and closed since 1979, is receiving critical repairs to stop water infiltration, reconstruct the front patio, and protect its 78 original windows. Property owner Susan Blaser is contributing additional investment toward the effort, which is part of a broader plan to revive the landmark and bring new life to the downtown district.
This project, along with improvements to 311 S. Thompson Avenue, which was also a recipient of a Bruhn grant, marks a step towards preserving Excelsior Springs’ historic charm and architectural legacy.
City Places Temporary Barricades After Second Car Launches onto Veterans Hall Roof
The City of Excelsior Springs has placed concrete barricades at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and South Kimball Street after a second vehicle in three months launched from the roadway and landed on the roof of the Clay-Ray Veterans Club building.
The photo, taken by Public Works Director Chad Birdsong, shows the temporary safety measure installed by his team while a long-term solution is explored. City officials met with veterans on Friday to hear their concerns and begin discussions on permanent fixes to prevent further incidents.
Skies That Stop You in Your Tracks
We may not have mountains in Excelsior Springs, but we do have some of the most magnificent skies around. These towering cumulonimbus clouds rolled in this week, putting on a dramatic display that reminds us just how breathtaking our Missouri landscape can be.
Lookup Things on Google Using Pictures…Like This Tree on Broadway!
You may recognize this tree from downtown on the west end of Broadway. Often people ask what type of plant or tree it is that they’ve seen. To fill you in on a tech secret, you can use Google to look up pictures of things! That’s what we did with this tree to find out it was a Chinese Lilac Tree! Here is how we did it, both phone and desktop step by steps:
Mobile
- Use your phone’s browser or the Google app and pull up Google
- Click on the agreement
- Either point your phone camera toward what you are wanting to search or click in the lower left-hand circle to choose your photos and find the picture on your camera roll
- Your results will be shown and you can click for more info!
Desktop
- Go to google.com
- Click on the camera icon to the right of the search bar
- Choose the photo file from your computer
- Your results will be shown and you can click for more info!
As always, these small moments add up to something much bigger—the story of a community that shows up, pitches in, and keeps moving forward. Regardless of whether it’s restoring historic landmarks, supporting neighbors in need, or simply pausing to admire the sky, Excelsior Springs continues to prove that there’s always something meaningful happening right here at home.
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