‘Her own bit of history’ - Shirley Nelson chaired committee for Brazito bicentennial activities in 1976 & 1977

Shirley Nelson is pictured on June 19, 1976, describing the Brazito Bicentennial Quilt, which was donated to the Cole County Historical Society. Each of the 30 blocks on the quilt was embroidered with a picture of historical buildings from the Brazito area. Courtesy of Schellie Blochberger

The year 1976 was an exciting time for many small communities planning celebrations for the nation’s bicentennial while also highlighting their own unique stories. Within the community of Brazito, one woman, who had only recently moved to the area, volunteered to chair the group that designed a bicentennial quilt featuring the area’s historical buildings and spearheaded an effort to erect a monument honoring Brazito’s founding families.
 
“My mother, Shirley Nelson, served as chairman for the Brazito Bicentennial Commission in 1976, with the help of Esther Jungmeyer as her co-chair,” said Schellie Blochberger. “I believe the planning for this event began more than a year before the actual events took place,” she added.
 
The kickoff occurred on March 14, 1976, when citizens of Brazito, Honey Creek and the surrounding areas gathered at the Brazito-Honey Creek Lion’s Club. It was here that the bicentennial flag and certificate were presented in a ceremony attended by State Sen. Ralph Uthlaut Jr.
 
Receiving the certificate and flag on behalf of the community was Mrs. Marguerite Arnhold, whose late husband, Hugo, was the grandson of Christopher Arnhold—a charter member of Zion Lutheran Church near Jefferson City and the person credited with founding Brazito in 1854.
 
“The committee will hold its next meeting April 20 at the Brazito church to continue plans for the ‘Brazito Relived’ celebration, which will be held June 19,” the Daily Capital News reported on March 11, 1976.
 
In preparation for the early summer bicentennial festivities, Shirley Nelson helped coordinate the collection of photographs and the creation of drawings of historic buildings in the Brazito area to be used on a Bicentennial Quilt.
 
Stanley Carrender and Curtis Engelbrecht, both descendants of original settlers to the Brazito area, assisted Mrs. Nelson in drawing pictures of homes, barns, businesses and other structures, many of which were no longer in existence. Oftentimes, they had only faded pictures or the memories of older residents to use when completing this task.
 
“They had pictures of buildings like the old Arnhold Store, the telephone building and the gas station,” recalled Schellie Blochberger. “Once these drawings were finished, my mother transferred them onto quilt blocks and a group of ladies from the community did the embroidery.”
 
She continued, “I can remember when all of the planning for this started, a lot of the people were a little hesitant to get involved but then it just exploded and then it seemed like they were all on board.”
 
 The local Cub Scouts also assumed an active role in preparing for the bicentennial activities by cleaning the Arnhold Cemetery. This small burial plot is where Brazito’s founding father, Christopher Arnhold, was laid to rest along with many of his close relatives.
 
Under the guidance of adult volunteers, the Scouts also built a rustic log cabin on the property of Friedens Church. During the bicentennial celebration, the cabin was used to display antiques and crafts while also being used for historical presentations.
 
Then came the big event on June 19, 1976. People came from far and wide for a medley of events celebrating that bicentennial and featuring exhibits, patriotic music, a log sawing contest, square dance contest, cake baking contest, street dance, fashion shows, horseshoe pitching and a mini museum inside Friedens Church.
 
“It was quite a day with a great turnout,” said Shellie Blochberger. “There was a wooden Brazito bicentennial coin that my mother designed that was sold along with other crafts for a fundraiser.”
 
This fundraising, along with several donations, helped fund the construction of a monument to share the story of Brazito for generations to come. On June 19, 1977, one year following the bicentennial celebration, crowds gathered in front of Friedens Church for the unveiling.
 
“The monument was dedicated … with the Immanuel Lutheran—Honey Creek church choir, invited guests and most of Brazito in attendance,” explained “The Country Circuit” (monthly newsletter for Three Rivers Electric Cooperative) in its September 1977 issue.
 
“The program included patriotic music by the church choir, the posting of colors and Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Pack 16 and Girl Scouts Troop 471 Brazito-Eugene and the Invocation by the Rev. Robert Bauer, pastor of the Friedens United Church of Christ,” the newsletter added.
 
With Shirley Nelson welcoming the guests and introducing the speakers, State Rep. Carol J. McCubbin shared a few remarks. This was followed by the monument being unveiled by Dr. William E. Parrish of Westminster College, who also served as historian for the Missouri State Bicentennial Commission.
 
The monument remains on the grounds of Friedens Church and is dedicated to the original settlers of the Brazito area. Built from native stone, it contains a plaque sharing certain aspects of the community’s history.
 
The legacy of Brazito’s founders has been etched in history by the late Shirely Nelson, a woman with a passion for history and whose spirited leadership brought a community together for a bicentennial celebration. The Bicentennial Quilt was donated to the Cole County Historical Society for preservation and display.
 
“Mom passed away in 2002 and I never had the opportunity to ask what spawned her interest in preserving the history of Brazito, especially since she wasn’t from the area,” Schellie Blochberger explained. “She was always very involved in a number of events and organizations throughout her life, though.”
 
She added, “My mother coordinated all the promotion for the bicentennial event and worked with the powers that be to make sure it was a success. I believe that she did a remarkable job at creating her own bit of history as well.”
 
Jeremy P. Ämick is an author/historian and penned the book “Hidden History of Cole County.”  

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In June 1977, a year following the bicentennial activities, this monument was dedicated outside Friedens Church to celebrate the legacy of Brazito’s founders. Courtesy of Schellie Blochberger