I love research trips. They are one of my favorite parts of the research process. Visiting a place always enhances the writing, whether because I’ve gotten a “feel” for the area (even if I later fictionalize it) or because of all the great people who help me along the way. On every trip I have had a providential meeting with someone who knew, or knew where to find, exactly the information I was looking for.
I’m currently working on a book for the 2022 Guideposts series Secrets from Grandma’s Attic. The series follows two sisters and their cousin after the death of their grandmother at 100 years old. They continue to discover “mysteries” about Grandma’s house—now lived in by one of the sisters—as well as learning more about Grandma Pearl herself. It’s a fun series to work on!
The stories are set in the real small town of Canton, Missouri, population 2500. With my friend Andrea willing to tag along, I made my way to Missouri to experience Canton for myself.
Our one full day in Canton started with finding a darling coffee shop, Fountain Electric Brewing Coffee Bar and Roastery, right on the main street through town. We took pictures, talked to the barista, and enjoyed our awesome lattes before wandering down the street to the Lewis County Historical Society. As usual, the historical society was a bounty of information! There we met three lovely ladies who told us all about Canton, present and past. And the really crazy thing? Two of them have children in Texas—one right near the small town where my friend and I live!
After picking their brains about various aspects of Canton life and history, I asked where I could find historical newspaper archives. I figured I’d need to go to the library (around the corner!) and view them on microfilm. But no. I was told they were in the historical society. I mentioned the years I was looking for. One of the ladies went into the back and returned with a book of the newspapers from those years.
A book.
With the actual newspapers.
My historical research-loving heart jumped for joy!
I browsed the papers, gathering the information I felt might help me craft a story that at least paid homage to some of the real happenings of the town. By the time I’d gleaned more than enough, we were hungry. We drove up near the highway, where a newer strip mall held a homestyle buffet restaurant. (The salad bar was good. The pie was to die for!) Then we meandered back down through the Culver-Stockton College campus (which was lovely!) and drove the streets of Canton gawking at old houses–some quite lovingly restored, others in need of attention.
Canton sits on the mighty Mississippi River, so we drove near the local dam and locks before walking the path along the top of the levee and climbing the observation tower to image the river activity in days gone by.
We spent our two nights in Quincy, Illinois, a larger town about 30 minutes from Canton, across the Mississippi. While there, we stayed in an Airbnb in an old Victorian home and stumbled into another wonderful house turned museum. We also discovered a fabulous local breakfast/lunch place—Thyme Square Cafe—in an old building there. On our way back to the airport in St. Louis, we took a quick detour to drive through Hannibal, Missouri, in all it’s Mark Twain glory—both actual sites from his life and Mark Twain-themed businesses. I’d love to go back and actually spend a few hours there someday.
But of course this was more than just a fun getaway with a friend. In the end, it was all about the writing. I not only gained inspiration from the place, but from the lovely people. Now the pictures and the research are simmering in my head. I want to create a story not only worthy of the great characters being creating in the course of the series but of the gracious town of Canton itself.
As a reader, have you ever visited a real place because it was a setting in a book you read? Did it live up to the place in the story?
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Love this post, D’Ann! This is exactly the kind of trip I love taking. Historical lodgings, colorful pieces of town history, restored homes from yesteryear, and research discoveries that set your creative juices flowing. It sounds marvelous! Thank you for sharing your photos with us!
Yes! Those trips are the best! 🙂
What a great research trip! I’ve had the opportunity to visit Hannibal as well.
I’d love to go back and actually spend a day there. So charming!
Nice post! I’m so excited we can start traveling and exploring again! We once made a detour on our way home from a family reunion. We stopped at Laura and Almanzo’s home in Mansfield, Missouri. It was fascinating, having loved reader Little House on the Prairie books many times.
Oh! I’d so love to go there! Yes, so happy we can travel again!
Visiting St.Simon Island, Georgia, and seeing the graves of people Eugenia Price wrote bout in her Georgia and Florida novels was such an exciting time for me.
The. Very. Best. Still one of my most favorite trips. Always love it when I find another Eugenia Price fan!
Can’t wait to read this book!🙏😊
That makes me happy!
This is so incredible to read. I met my future husband in Canton MO when we both worked in the admissions office at Culver-Stockton. And we were married in Quincy IL. Thank you for showing love for those special places.
I can’t WAIT to read the book!!
LOVE research trips, and yes! Back issues of a local paper are terrific sources of colorful detail. Made a trip to Nashville for research and loved it. One location that exceeded my expectations was the Ryman Auditorium. It’s a really special place.
So glad that you visited Canton. I’ve reside here since 1976. Born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam until 1975. While reading books about Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer and ole Huckleberry in English Literature class. I never dreamed that one day I would become a Captain on the Mississippi. Aboard the Canton Ferry, crossing the oldest Ferry site on the Mississippi. All of Mark Twain’s slangs and stories suddenly became a reality! Please, come back and visit so that I can share an amazing story about a car crossing over the river, on the ice! And yes, that famous picture is also in the newspaper archive!
What made you pick Canton,Mo? I lived in Canton from 1974-2001, raised my daughter there that now lives in Hannibal and myself in Quincy. This is a very lovely area on the Mississippi River with lots of history. Can’t wait to read your books.
Anne, we were very happy to be of help in your research for your book. As volunteers at the Lewis County Historical Society, we are always pleased to know that our efforts help the patrons who visit.
Looking forward to reading your finished work.
Hi, the Grandma Pearl mentioned in your book is her real last name Pearl? Curious about it because that is my maiden last name!