KSPR-TV in Springfield, Mo., has an entertaining account of artist Lowell Davis and his Red Oak II complex off Route 66 near Carthage, Mo.
Davis basically bought the town that he grew up in, Red Oak, Mo. He moved it to his new farm, outside of Carthage. Now, the old general store, blacksmith, and a few of the houses are on what used to be a cornfield in Jasper County.
“I wasn’t trying to build an old town. I wasn’t trying to recreate a town, or something. to me, it was like a big blank canvas, you know,” says Davis.
Re-dubbed “Red Oak II,” Davis added his own touches by refurbishing dilapidated buildings from around the area.
Davis grew tired of the upkeep on Red Oak II and sold off most of the property. But it’s still there, offering a glimpse of Davis’ boyhood.
KSPR has a video with the story.