The location of 1864 Bushwackers attack, Concordia has continued into a thriving little community with one of the biggest private high schools in the nation.
On the night of Oct. 9, 1864, terror rode into town at Concordia, according to historian Paul Atwood with the University of Missouri. In his “Brief History of Concordia, Missouri,” 100 Bushwhackers attacked the settlements around Concordia. But the original settlers did not back down and had set up an ambush at Davis Creek for the Bushwhackers. Twenty-five Germans aided the settlers in their push back, but unfortunately the Bushwhackers intercepted the band of Germans on their way and executed all but one of them. Jesse and Frank James were rumored to be in on this violent hands-on attack with clubs and gun stocks to the heads of their victims. The nearby town of Emma is where the massacre took place, and the town erected a monument in 2014 to the event. The attack was prompted by the freedom loving, anti-slavery views of the people of Concordia and Emma.
In 1859, Henry and Augus Brockhoff, brothers, opened a store on what eventually came to be known as St. Louis Street in Concordia.
The name is believed to be inspired by the German poem: “Das Lied von der Glocke.” The English translation of the text is as follows: “Now let us gather round the frame! The ring let every workman swell. That we may consecrate the Bell! Concordia be henceforth its name, assembling all the loving throng in harmony and union strong” (Brief History of Concordia Missouri P. Atwood).
In modern day, the descendants of those German settlers have built an impressive private Lutheran boarding school, the only kind in the state. St. Paul’s Lutheran High School in Concordia has been in operation for 130 years and serves as the massive centerpiece of the town. The 40-acre campus founded in 1883, is a spectacular example of private education, beginning as a Missouri Synod college, later transitioning into a private boarding high school with students from all over the United States, as well as internationally.
Concordia’s Central Park Downtown hosts a fall German Heritage Festival annually. The Concordia Fall Festival began in 1898 as a city market but still centers in The Heidelberg Outdoor Restaurant and Beer Garden. Scheduled Sept. 2 through 6, with the gardens open in the evenings from 4 p.m. to midnight, and all-day Saturday, the authentic old-world atmosphere of the outdoor garden features local Missouri wine and beer, as well as Concordia’s very own 1832 Distilling. Candlelit red checkered clothed tables inside latticework fences creates an ambiance of historical elegance accompanied by the heritage dinner of Raw Hack, Schmier Kaese, Sauerkraut, Hot Potato Salad, Bratwurst, Smoked Pork Chops, Reuben Sandwiches, and Peppered Beef Dinners
German music and a washer’s tournament are all hosted in the Lion’s Club sponsored gardens. No one under 21 is admitted.
Family fun can be had at the multitude of contests including a queen pageant, children’s pedal tractor pulls, among many others. There are home economics shows, tractor shows, arts and crafts, 4-H displays and much more. Three different parades take place during the weekend. A fall festival exclusive locally crafted country store runs the length of the festival, as well.
The complete schedule can be found at www.concordiafallfestival.com.
The small town is famous for their festivals, only located 60 miles east of Kansas City and 20 miles north of Knob Noster. Folks from those areas take a ride to Concordia for the 1832 Distillery Freedom Fest in July with live bands and local breweries and wineries sampling their craft. The very next day Concordia hosted Farm to City Day at the South Side Park where sponsors fed the entire community a free pulled pork dinner. A Vendor Market was available along the walking trail for shopping, and over 50 antique tractors showed off in the park all day, then took to Main Street downtown for a parade. The community’s 4H kids participated in a pie contest and
Need to grab a bite to eat outside of festival food? The Simple Life is a perfect representation of the town of Concordia and a great place to grab a meal. The Simple Life Market sells local Missouri Hemme Bros. Cheese, and you can grab a pound of that famous “Raw Hack” that is served at the fall festival. Raw Hack, or in German “Mett” is a local specialty and is best described as an old-world German Spiced raw ground pork spread. The locals spread it on a cracker.
There are always freshly made pastries on the counter for a quick bite, and an array of choices where coffee blends are concerned.
The Simple Life can be found in Concordia at 808 S. Gordon Street.
