The early Jackson County settlements of Stony Point and Pink Hill no longer exist, but they were the forerunners of today’s Grain Valley. Young pioneers arrived on the Missouri frontier from Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia shortly after the Louisiana Purchase. We know more about the community of Pink Hill than we do about Stony Point, but both communities did have a post office (of sorts). Pink Hill was established as early as 1854, but we’re not sure about Stony Point.
Both communities felt the blunt of Order Number 11 during the Civil War, when all of the families were driven from their homes and farms in Eastern Jackson County.
Most of the men were involved in guerrilla warfare as Bushwhackers, while the women and children were left with the task of taking what belongings they could carry and flee the county for safety. Pink Hill and Stony Point residents returned in 1866 to find very little left of their property when the war was over. However, the determined settlers slowly began to rebuild. Their efforts seemed in vain when the Chicago and Alton Railroad bypassed both towns as the new railroad track was built through the Sni Township shortly after the war.
The railroad had created a rail link between Quincy, Ill., and Kansas City.
J.H. Cannon relocated his Pink Hill general store to the edge of the railroad, halfway between Pink Hill and Stony Point. Soon thereafter, the settlers from the two towns simply picked up their belongings and followed to the edge of the railroad to rebuild, so, a new town was born.
The town of Grain Valley was officially formed September 5, 1878; however, it was not until 1945 that it was incorporated as a fourth-class city. The new town was named for the abundance of grain across the area and the geography of the land. The railroad brought growth and prosperity to the valley. Within three years there were grocery stores, a shoe repair shop, plus doctors and ministers. A man could even buy a Saturday night bath for a nickel. Grain Valley remained a small farming community for many years.
One of Missouri’s most famous agricultural facilities was Sni-A-Bar Farms built in 1913 by the publisher, William Rockhill Nelson. The 1,755-acre ranch was founded near Grain Valley with the purpose of creating better methods of cattle raising for the American farmer. Purebred shorthorns and later sheep imported from Scotland were grazed on and around Monkey Mountain.
From 1915 to 1945, Sni-A-Bar was one of the most visited farms in the country. Students and teachers, as well as cattle breeders from around the world, came to visit and study each year during the October demonstrations at the farm.
When Nelson died, the farm was left in a 30-year trust with his daughter, Laura Nelson Kirkwood, and the University of Missouri. When the trust ran out, the farm was put on the market for sale in 1945. Bids were received from such famous people as J.C. Penney, Nellie Donnelly Reed, and actor Fred McMurray. The farm sold for $387,000 to Ralph L. Smith.
Over time; however, the many beautiful barns and out buildings fell into disrepair and were removed as the acreage was broken up and sold. Much of the land today is becoming family neighborhoods as new houses are built.
The 1990 census of Grain Valley listed the population at 1,905 people. Today the fast growing community is estimated at 9,430 residents.
Ref: Grain Valley Historical Society
To reach Ted W. Stillwell send an e-mail to teddystillwell@yahoo.com or call him at 252-9909.
