Morris donates land in Bootheel for state park

Springfield businessman Jim D. Morris has long been known around town for his charitable contributions. Now, he has donated 161 acres of land in southeast Missouri for use as a state park.

Morris owns Morris Oil Co. in Springfield, several properties in the downtown area, and hotels in Branson.

The park is in the Missouri Bootheel in an area known as Crowley's Ridge. Officials with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources have said the tract preserves a unique chapter in Missouri's history, as it has been an island in a floodplain, essentially, and has an unusual landscape.

Morris grew up in the area, and as a child played there he said. He purchased the property 15 years ago. When Morris purchased it, the land had been owned for more than 100 years by the Stewart family, whom Morris has known all his life, he said.

"I grew up there, and I went to Hopkins School, which is close to this park. Hopkins was a one-room school, and it's preserved out there as it always has been," Morris said.

The school building will be restored as part of the park.

Morris said the area has been "virgin woods" all these years.

"It's always been protected, and I knew that by doing this it always would be," he said.

The area may be the largest mature tract of Crowley's Ridge forest left in private ownership, according to the Missouri DNR. It contains examples of some plant species unique to the area and is large enough to represent the natural history of Crowley's Ridge, the DNR said.

Morris said he was horrified to think of anyone ever cutting down trees or clearing the land. The Stewart family cemetery is also on the property, and the trees contain carvings he said he believes were made by Native Americans.

"It's a hidden treasure in Missouri. There are plants there that can't be found anywhere else in the state. There are 10 acres of prairie land that still has original prairie grass on it. I've always felt like it was my job to protect and preserve that area," Morris said.

The new park is to be called Morris State Park. It is situated near Chalk Bluff, where a Civil War battle took place, and among peach orchards and other bottomland farms in the area, Morris said. Development at the park will be minimal, but a parking area, restroom, information board and trails will be added.

The park represents an area to which Morris said he will always retain strong ties.

"It's always been a special place for me, and now it will be Morris Park forever," Morris said.