Geezermoon - Visiting Rocky Ridge

It had really been a fun week in Branson.

Time to leave, but one more stop before moving on to St. Louis: the home of author Laura Ingalls Wilder. 

At age 27, Laura and her husband, Almanzo,  and their young daughter Rose moved to Mansfield, Missouri. They purchased a 40 acre piece of land in 1894 for $100.00.  Laura named this property "Rocky Road." Almanzo built the house room by room as funds became available and eventually it turned into the lovely farmhouse you see in the top picture.

The "Rock House" is also built on this same property as a gift from daughter Rose.

Almanzo and Laura lived in this house from 1928 to 1936 while Rose moved back into their farmhouse.  Hmmm...what's up with that? They moved right back into the farmhouse when Rose left in 1936.  Being in the Rock House ourselves made us agree with that decision - it lacked the warmth and coziness that could still be felt today as we were inside the farmhouse. However, something very special happened while living in the Rock House: the beginning of writing the

Little House books so many of us still love today.

Thinking about Laura beginning her writing at age 65 is most inspirational --- way to go, Laura!

(Although there are critics who think Rose is responsible for being her ghost writer; I choose to give Laura all the credit.)

No cameras were allowed in either house or the nearby museum, so I had to "nab" some off of online images.  Above is a pic of her writing desk.

Here's the charming farmhouse kitchen. My favorite room of all!  Still with Laura's

old stove, tea kettle, dishes and even her embroidered household items.

The museum by the house was newly done and EXCELLENT in collections.  So many items to see that Laura had made (she had serious sewing skills) and the highlight of all: Pa's violin. Every year there is a special festival in Mansfield where Pa's violin is still played...I would've loved to have been there for that!

Were/are you a fan of the Little House books? This is really a special place to visit!