Lucy Wortham James, grandaughter of St. James’ namesake, Thomas James, contributed several wonderful gifts to the people of Missouri when she passed away in 1938. Perhaps her most treasured gift is Maramec Spring Park. As Maramec Spring Park “is considered to be the most beautiful spot in Missouri,” Lucy instructed that the 1,860 acre park be “ever open to the enjoyment of the people.” The James Foundation, authorized by Lucy before her death, took over management of the park in 1946, and teamed with the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1958 to make Lucy’s dream even more of a reality. They introduced trout and trout fishing to the perfectly suited Maramec Spring, creating one of only four trout parks in Missouri. The trout quickly came to play a central role in sustaining Lucy’s legacy. Around 60,000 people now visit Maramec Spring Park each year to enjoy the excellent trout fishing, and so many more park visitors enjoy watching or feeding the 100,000 trout that are reared there yearly.
Here, thousands of young rainbow trout pour into a Maramec Spring rearing pool after their three-hour truck journey from Sheperd of the Hills Hatchery.
PHOTO BY JESSICA WEINBERG / MPW.60