Find your happy place...invites the mural in the center of Hamilton, Missouri. And so many have found happiness by living in this small town, while others have found fun and entertainment just by stopping by for the day or a few hours.

Hamilton, Missouri is the birthplace and boyhood home of J. C. Penney. Now it's the Quilt Capital of the U. S. It's a town where community spirit and pride endure. But at times, the can-do attitude of Hamilton residents has lagged. Economic downturns have plagued this small Missouri town at the same time they affected the rest of the country.

Yet somehow Hamiltonians persisted and thrived and today they have countless points of pride. Davis Street, also Highway 13, runs north and south through a commercial district that is a thriving retail center drawing tourists to its many quilt and sewing shops. This is a place of beautiful old homes, many of which are featured in this book. Hamilton is a place that gave birth to some famous people like J. C. Penney, but mainly grew folks that enjoy a quiet, simple life of caring for each other. This book is a testament to the faith and growth of Hamilton and its residents as exhibited in historic and current photos and commentary. It's a place many of us are proud to call home.