The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

MONTGOMERY CITY, MO. -- Thousands of people are having fun this week at the Montgomery County Fair.

The festival takes place in the county seat of Montgomery City.

Roy Yager has been a barber in Montgomery City for more than 50 years.  He’s proud of a train station mural on his building that was part of a 2004 city beautification project.

Yager said, “If you look at that second mule as you pull on the parking lot there and make eye contact with him, as you walk the length of the building, why he will follow you as you go down the building.”

Montgomery City has been around since 1851.  Over the years, the people of Montgomery City have adjusted to the 21^st century.  Today, they have every modern convenience, but there was a time when they totally depended on the railroad.

Town historian Bill Auchly, 83, said the railroad is the reason why Montgomery City is here.  Auchly remembers riding the train from St. Louis to Montgomery City’s Wabash Depot.  Today, you can find reminders of the Wabash Train in several parts of the city.  Auchly invites everyone to take a tour of The Montgomery County Historical Society Museum.

Auchly said, “This is the history of the area and the county.  The younger people need to know what happened.”

Even though the country faces tough economic times, the population of Montgomery City continues to grow with more than 12,000 people.  City leaders attracted some new businesses this year including a national recycler, a new lumber facility and a food processing company.  The city has an industrial park and a business park with plenty of room for growth.

Montgomery City Chamber of Commerce Spokesman Josh Beck said, “We have about 150 extra acres, right now, that we present to new companies looking at the area for a new business facility.  We also have on the other side of the highway a city-owned business park that’s more meant for commerce and retail stores and restaurants and that type of thing.  It has some wonderful outlets that are already in there.”

People like Bill Auchly keep Montgomery City’s past alive, while City Leaders focus on the future to make sure their town is a great place to live for the next generation and a great place to do business for the companies of tomorrow.