08/08/2026
We have 13 vintage plates with images of the historic Bethel German Colony 12 miles from my hometown in northeast Missouri. The 10”W plates are dated 1973 to 1984. They would be perfect for a wall gallery in the Jeff City area which has a large population of German descendants. 🇩🇪
My sister Teresa and I played several years in the Bethel German band in the 1970s. Our band teacher, Mary Lightfoot, played in the band and encouraged us to. She often drove us to Bethel for practices and performances. She was our favorite teacher as she was for many students. Our high school band would play in the tiny town during the Bethel Harvest Fest. Here is info on the Bethel German Colony.
Bethel was founded in 1844 as a religious communal colony by Wilhelm Keil and his German-American followers. Keil (1812-1877), an independent preacher, called his adherents “Christians.” Without a written agreement, they shared their property and labor, though private earnings were allowed. The Bethel community was noted for its handicrafts and musical band.
Membership was about 650 in 1855 when Keil, fearing Bethel was too subject to outside influence, led a group west and established Aurora Colony in Oregon.
Their expedition over the Oregon Trail is unique for it was conducted as a funeral cortege. Keil’s son, Willie, died before he realized his father’s promise to lead the group and was carried instead in the head wagon in a metal box, alcohol-filled. After six months and over 2000 miles, he was buried at Willapa, Wash.
Keil never returned to Bethel, directing affairs there by letter. When the colonies disbanded, 1879-1881, they held property in common valued at $109,806. Bethel supplied $64,328 of this and owned 4,267 acres.
🔺Our hours: 11-5 Thu-Sat. 1-5 Sun. 11-5 Mon.
