Photos & Video

The 1960s and 1970s saw NASA send nine space missions to the moon. During those decades astronauts from six of those missions landed safely on the moon's surface. The United States' Apollo 11 was the first manned lunar mission to land on the moon. The date was July 20, 1969. Following are images of front page coverage on the moon mission from the Daily American Republic newspaper in July 1969.

The following article is reprinted from the Thursday, May 29, 1929 edition of the The Poplar Bluff Republican. Final touches were placed on the new court house building yesterday and today with erection of the two electric light standards at the sides of each of the four entrances. These beautiful granite standards were placed in position and wired by the City Light Plant force and the two Main street side lights were turned on last night. They are very beautiful and lend attraction to the fine building. County Highway Engineer Scarborough, who has been in charge of work of removing surplus dirt from the court yard, has succeeded in taking most of the surplus off with only $200 which was made available by the Chamber of Commerce and county court each subscribing $100. Before he started this job, contractors estimated the cost of improving the yard would be around $4,500. It is believed that with $1,000 to spend, the yard could be completed, sodded and flowers planted at different places. With the lights erected at front doors, and the yard smoothed off in the manner that Scarborough has directed, the county courts building is much more attractive.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted Waterfest on Saturday at Redman Creek Recreation Area at Wappapello Lake with water balloon and sand sculpture contests, intertube races and cardboard boat races.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri is known as an All-American City. Faith, family and patriotism are the foundations of this great community. Citizens enjoy coming together each year to celebrate our nation's birthday with a parade and fireworks. They also gather gratefully in honor of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services.

From the Daily American Republic archives Monday, July 14, 1997. A look back at a feature story on one of our area's natural treasures...Alley Spring. EMINENCE, Mo. — Alley Spring was never successful as a mill. Its success came first as a state park and now as a popular visitor spot in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. In the early 1900s Alley Spring was the center of a busy farming community that included a grist mill, blacksmith shop, general store and saw mill. Located on the north side of Jacks Fork River, Alley Spring had seven owners in 30 years before becoming a state park in 1924, according to ONSR historians. It was one of the first six state parks in Missouri. Those visiting Alley will find a spring with an average daily flow of 81 million gallons. The mill still contains some of the original or replica equipment used during its milling days. Alley Spring is six miles west of Eminence on Highway 106.

Poplar Bluff Municipal Library partnered with Dickerson Park Zoo on Saturday to present Owls of Missouri to children and their families during a special story time at Hendrickson Park in Poplar Bluff. Mingo National Wildlife will participate in another special story time, at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 25 at the library. Children will learn about fish from rangers during this event.

PIEDMONT, Mo. — A recent Missouri State Highway Patrol Youth Academy gave 29 teenagers an eye-opening look into a career in law enforcement and life as a trooper. “The Youth Academy program was developed for high school students, between the ages of 16 and 18, who display an interest in law enforcement,” said Sgt. Brad Haggett. “The program provides a unique hands-on experience for the students to learn the role of law enforcement within their communities.” The week culminated with the cadets taking on the role of trooper and conducting simulated traffic stops.

The July 3, 2004 Black River Festival parade in Poplar Bluff was a celebration of patriotism and freedom in support of military personnel at home and fighting the war in the Middle East. Spectators came out in force to show their American pride and enjoy the floats, bands and parade participants.

From the July 7, 2011 edition of the Daily American Republic we take a look back at the stick horse parade and horse judging events at the Butler County Fair in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

This week, Neelyville Tigers alum, Cody Birdsong, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 32nd round of the MLB Draft. Poplar Bluff Mules alum, Kameron Misner, was drafted 35th overall in the MLB first round by the Miami Marlins. Take a look back to both men's high school years in this week's throwback.

The 70th anniversary of the Rodgers Theatre opening was celebrated with a block party Saturday, June 1, 2019, that feature food, music, fun and tours of the downtown theater.

St. Louis architect Hugo K. Graf was tasked during the late 1940s with creating the plans to build a new luxury movie theater in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The owners of the theater property were the Rodgers family of Illinois who ran other movie theaters in Poplar Bluff among a multi-state theater business. This gallery highlights early architectural drawings by Graf of the facade of the Rodgers Theatre along with final renderings showing the interior. Editor's note: The Friday, May 31 edition of the Daily American Republic will publish special stories and photos outlining the Rodgers Theatre 70th anniversary celebration and history.

Excel Center graduation ceremony in Poplar Bluff featured a class of eight Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

The local Missouri Sheriffs’ Association Training Academy graduated 11 certified peace officers Tuesday night, May 28, 2019, including nine who will soon report for duty at their respective departments across the area.

A ceremony was held Saturday morning at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery, veterans section, in honor of Memorial Day. More than 300 flags were placed on the graves of veterans by members of the American Legion Auxiliary 153. Members of Boy Scout Troop 4069 of Doniphan also placed flags on the graves of other veterans throughout the cemetery.

How did Mansion Mall in Poplar Bluff get named?

The Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2019 graduated Thursday during a ceremony at the Black River Coliseum.

Tuesday’s end-of-the-year program at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center.

The Poplar Bluff High School class of 1996 enjoyed many fun activities at its Project Graduation celebration which followed commencement Tuesday, May 21. Please note: names of students in the photos were not available at the time of printing on May 22, 1996.

The Poplar Bluff High School JROTC held its annual awards and change of command ceremony Friday morning. Awards were presented to the cadets for physical fitness, scholastic excellence and leadership. During the ceremony, Elizabeth Sherrell was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, replacing Skyler Zitnak as the battalion commander.

The Puxico High School Class of 2019 graduation ceremonies were held Friday, May 10.

Reminisce as you look back at the 20th anniversary of the 1999 Poplar Bluff HIgh School prom.

The Downtown Poplar Bluff BBQ Street Wars tripled the number of teams in its second year from seven to 21. Awards will be given out at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds from the event also help support DPB operations.

In 1892, Poplar Bluff photographer, Walter H. Kennedy, compiled this collection of images preserving a glimpse into the lives and businesses of the people residing in our city during the late 19th century.

Members of the Branson group Six performed Saturday to a sold out house at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the campus of Three Rivers College. The brothers performed classics by Frankie Valli, The Beach Boys and others. After the show, Barry, Kevin, Lynn, Jak, Owen and Curtis met with fans to take photos and sign autographs.

The eighth annual Sarah Jarboe White UCAN Walk held Saturday, April 27, 2019.

Approximately 400 Poplar Bluff High School students gathered for the 2019 Prom event on Saturday, April 27. Grand March began at 6 p.m. with the prom festivities starting directly after.

Wayne County residents met this week with members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss a five-year master plan for the Old Greenville Recreation Site. The Corps also announced the campground will reopen May 20, after two years of repairs and renovations.

May will mark The Black River Coliseum's twentieth year as Poplar Bluff's premiere event center. The building was originally designed to serve a number of purposes, including meeting rooms, a near-Olympic sized swimming pool, a fitness center and a full-sized kitchen facility. The Coliseum continues to host hundreds of events and concerts annually and currently houses the Poplar Bluff Municipal Court and the Poplar Bluff City Council chambers.

It's been a more than a decade since incessant rains flooded the southeast Missouri area during 2008. Little did our communities know then that a winter storm dubbed the worst in history would soon follow the flood, ravaging the central part of the United States ultimately devastating our region further. Since that time, our towns and riverways have endured a barrage of tragic flooding in the years of 2011 and 2017. We may face adversity at times in our communities, but we never fail to rally together and conquer anything standing in our way.

Reprinted from the Daily American Republic Sunday, April 16, 1995 edition. This look back on the 1995 Poplar Bluff Rotary Club's annual Easter egg hunt at Kiwanis Bacon Park.

Art for Animals, the ninth annual spring benefit for the Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) Tail End party was held Friday at Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff for final bidding in the silent auction. Area artists donated 5x7 original artwork to raise money for AWA. The non-profit provides $50 vouchers for qualifying pet owners to help with spay/neuter costs and has spent more than $70,000 on that project since 2009. With the cooperation of Poplar Bluff’s Animal Control officers, AWA also helps provide vaccinations for puppies and kittens in the city’s shelter. The organization sets aside half of all income toward construction of a no-kill shelter to serve this area.