Learning Columbia’s History

During my orientation assignment I talked to Jenifer Flink who is the executive director and curator of the Boone County Historical Society. She told me a lot about Boone County and Missouri’s history. She told me that the Lenior and Nifong family helped found Boone County and came here by covered wagon. Flink said that the Lenior-Nifong family’s farm site is now the Maplewood House. She said in 1818 the Gordon family—another founding family—lived in Gordon Manor where modern day Stephens Lake Park is located. Flink said that the house burned down and the Gordon family gave the land to Boone County. Flink said in 1820 Boone County was founded and in 1821 Missouri became a state.