Elsberry is a Mississippi River community that has seen both trials and triumph. From its early days as a railroad community to its growing downtown businesses, Elsberry’s story is a testament to small town perseverance and preservation.

Prairie Home, Missouri, stands as the smallest Small Town Showcase featured community thus far...but as we've learned, small towns do big things! Prairie Home is a town where residents truly depend on one another to ensure community success and resilience, and they strive to prove that population size is just a number. For example, check out their Prairie Home Free Fair, an annual summer tradition for over 100 years! It's the perfect example of community pride and support.

Potosi is a town in the Missouri Ozarks with a population of about 2,500 people. This community is surrounded by natural beauty, and some of Missouri's finest state parks are found in the vicinity. It's also an area with deep roots and rich history, with original settlers dating back to the early 1760s and much of its story tied to bountiful lead mining in the region. Potosi proudly celebrates its history through annual festivals, commemorative signage, and historic sites, and the town's story keeps its citizens actively engaged in propelling the community forward.

Our featured community for this episode is a true piece of American History: Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. This small river community of about 5,000 people is hailed as the first permanent European settlement West of the Mississippi River, giving Ste. Gen major historical significance not just for Missouri, but nationally as well. Almost 300 years later, the town is brimming with historic charm, engaging and exciting events, and a yearn to share their story with more people, enticing them to experience Ste. Gen’s many offerings.

Marceline is your quintessential small town, where you’ll find a historic main street district with shops, restaurants, and other unique businesses. They also have a tie to one of the most famous people in entertainment and cinema history, as the boyhood home of none other than Walt Disney. Hear from two Marceline residents who are dedicated to telling Marceline's story.

Albany is the county seat of Gentry County in Northwest Missouri. It’s beautiful scenery, with lots of rivers and streams, century farms with rolling hills and old barns, and a vibrant downtown. For a town of its size, it's remarkable to see so many thriving businesses, community groups, events, and most of all, restaurants. When asked why this is possible when towns even 5x their size can’t compete with their amenities, Albany residents say it all comes down to the support of the people here and the proximity to other smaller towns that come to Albany to take advantage of all they have to offer.

Carrollton, Missouri, located in Carroll County, is a town of movers and shakers with one eye always looking to the future. Whether it's the revitalization of their main street district, sitting on the planning committees of community events, or leading the charge fundraising for new assets in the community, the people of Carrollton are dedicated to making sure that their town only gets better for future generations.

Aurora is home to about 7,400 people in Lawrence County, Missouri, near Springfield. The pride people have in this town and its strong sense of place are what make Aurora such a thriving, progressive community. There are many ways that this town is dedicated to success, such as beautification efforts, free programs for families, and preserving its story through murals, podcasts, exhibits, and more. The Houn' Dawg pride is strong in Aurora--listen to see for yourself!