Before the first white settlers arrived in the Springfield, Missouri area, the Osage Indians inhabited the region. To learn more about this native culture, visit the Osage Village State Historic Site, located near the Harry Truman Birthplace State Historic Site in Lamar, Missouri.
The Osage Indians resided between the Osage and Missouri rivers, but eventually spread to Arkansas, eastern Kansas and Oklahoma because of the United States government. The hilltop near the Osage River valley where an Osage village existed from 1700 to 1775 has been preserved in this historic site. The village that once existed was home to between 2,000 and 3,000 people in 200 lodges.
The Osage were first "discovered" by the French explorers Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette in 1673. They were a semi-nomadic people and based their livelihood on hunting, foraging and gardening. They moved with the seasons to find the best sustenance for their people.
The Osage men hunted deer, bison, elk, bear and some smaller animals. The women were responsible for butchering the kills, smoking the meat and preparing the hide. They often were left with surplus meats, hides and oils, which they sold to the Europeans. In fact, in the late 18th century and early 19th century, the Osage Indians were responsible for half of the active fur trade along the Missouri River.
Once the United States gained control of the area as part of the Louisiana Purchase, the Osage Indians migrated to Oklahoma. In 1825, an Osage reservation was created in southeast Kansas. Today, over 10,000 Osage Indians are in existence, most of which live in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
The historic site offers a look into the daily lives of the Osage Indians. There are excavated pottery, weapons and tools on display. There is also a walking trail and outdoor exhibits that help visitors connect with the history of the village. You can contact the Osage Village Historic Site by calling 417-682-2279 for information on their hours.
