Pvt. Peter McCullough, hanging judge of Andersonville prison, who sentenced six New York Raiders to death, was laid to rest in the Elmwood Cemetery in his adopted home of Mexico in 1915.
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Pvt. Peter McCullough, hanging judge of Andersonville prison, who sentenced six New York Raiders to death, was laid to rest in the Elmwood Cemetery in his adopted home of Mexico in 1915.
It’s little pieces of history like that that make Mexico so unique. Taking advantage of this is the Audrain County Health Department’s newest program, “History Takes a Walk: Walking Tours of Mexico.”
“It is designed to get your mind and your body active,” said Chris Newbrough, ACHD emergency planner and public information officer. “Here at the health department, that’s all that we’re about is getting people active.”
The inspiration for a history-themed walking tour came from an article in the Missouri Conservationist about a suburban walking program in Kansas City.
“I was looking for ways that we could possibly do this as part of our mission,” said Newbrough. “I got to thinking, Mexico is chock-full of history.”
Considering Mexico has been a city since 1837, Newbrough knew there would be plenty to talk about. He pitched the idea to ACHD’s CEO Craig Brace who encouraged him to keep looking into it.
“I identified various routes in town that we could lead walks on, guided walks, and talk about the history of Mexico,” said Newbrough.
So far, the health department has four routes planned out.
The first tour will take place April 15. Walkers will travel along Elmwood Drive on an hour and a half tour led by tour guide Tony Robertson. Along the way, they will learn about the Elmwood Cemetery, the Catholic Cemetery and the Jewish Cemetery.
“I didn’t know until three or four years ago that Mexico had a Jewish Cemetery,” said Newbrough.
The Audrain County Health Department has partnered with local community members and history fanatics to create unique and informative walking tours.
Newbrough is most excited by what he calls the “Presser play” route.
This route will start at Presser Arts Center, go down Jefferson Street to the square and back. What makes it so exciting is the historic hotels that once stood near the train depot. The same depot that once saw historical figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and many more.
“I am trying to get people interested in talking about history because as we go along, history dies if it’s not remembered,” said Newbrough. “We want to keep that alive, but we also want to do that in a way that helps people stay active.”
The tours will be available to anyone who is interested, regardless of age, starting in April.
