Sequiota Fish Hatchery
Springfield Leader, December 15, 1920, page 5
Construction of state hatchery at Sequiota to be started next spring
"Tim Birmingham, Fish and Game Commissioner, here to make arrangements for work on plant – surveys started today.
"Tim Birmingham state fish and game commissioner was in Springfield today to make arrangements for starting construction work at Sequiota Park, recently purchased by the state as the site for a state fish hatchery.
"Surveying of the twelve-acre tract was begun today by T. E. Burks, a surveyor attached to the state highway commission so that the state can determine the exact boundaries. Mr. Birmingham is accompanying him.
"Estimates are prepared.
"Suggestions on the general plans for the $75,000 hatchery buildings to be erected in the park were made to Mr. Birmingham this afternoon by Superintendent Foster of the federal fish hatchery at Neosho, who is here with Birmingham on the inspection trip. Estimates of the probable costs of the buildings will be made, probably tomorrow, so that the state junketing committee which will arrive here probably this week can recommend that the legislature appropriate funds to meet the cost of these buildings. This committee is touring the state to get information for the preparation of a state budget, Mr. Birmingham said.
"The erection of the first hatchery building here will be begun early next spring, Mr. Birmingham said today.
"Sequiota Park was purchased for a state fish hatchery site last spring for $23,000, about $3,000 of which was raised through the chamber of Commerce hatchery committee, headed by Dr. T.T. Umbarger. This will be the second state hatchery in Missouri, the other being located in Forest Park, a suburb of St. Louis."
The photographs are from a small publication of the Frisco lines that encouraged tourists to visit the cave and park at Sequiota as a nice side trip while passing through the Springfield area. The Sequiota Park and cave were on the Chadwick Branch of the Frisco. On Saturdays and Sundays there was hourly motor car service and during the week there was a train in the morning and early afternoon. The pamphlet is dated April 25, 1920 and mentions that fishing in the lake is good but does not mention the hatchery. For more information about Springfield parks visit the Springfield-Greene County Parks and Recreation website.
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