Archaeological investigation conducted in 1996 focuses on Far West in Caldwell County, MO, especially the C.C. Rich Log House and the Rich Settlement area of 1837.

In 1996 an archaeological investigation sponsored by Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation (MMFF), was made of a log house near Far West. A historical investigation led by Mike Riggs indicated the property had been owned by Charles C. Rich. His home was the center of church activity in that area of the county. C.C. Rich took an active military part in the battle of Crooked River in northern Ray County. Mrs. Rich left an account of the log house published in “Women’s Voice” (Godfrey, Godfrey & Derr 1982:98) as follows:

“As Far West was a place everybody lived in log houses so my husband had built a nice hewed log house and got it ready to live in by the time we were married. It was 4 miles from Far West and we moved to our cosy and happy home and we thought we were the happiest couple in all the land.”

In the autumn of 1997, MMFF sponsored the first of three consecutive years of archeological digs at the site. Students from Shawnee Mission East High School, working under the supervision of their instructor Paul DeBarthe along with many other interested participants, undertook an extensive site archaeological reconnaissance which yielded many instructive artifacts.

Mormon and post-Mormon period artifacts associated with James Wallace, a prominent citizen of Caldwell County for whom the nearby Wallace State Park was named, are in the possession of Mike Riggs, who is developing this 60-acre log house site.

This artist’s rendering depicts Mormons meeting at Far West in Caldwell County, MO, during the tumultuous times of 1838.