An unlikely pair teamed up to write a book about the history of those who have lived along Dunklin Drive in Herculaneum.
Retired Fox C-6 teacher Nadine Garland and recent Herculaneum High School graduate Caitlyn Huber wrote the book, titled “Dunklin Drive: A History,” which they say is filled with interesting tales about the area.
Huber, 18, of Barnhart, said one of the stories that stands out to her is called “Groundhog Catastrophe” and recounts an argument between a married couple that led to the husband taking an extreme measure to teach his wife a lesson.
“It’s the one where a groundhog was put in a freezer,” she said.
Garland, 78, retired in 1994 after 30 years with the Fox district, mostly as a fourth-grade teacher at Rockport Heights Elementary School in Arnold.
She also is a member of both the Kimmswick and Herculaneum historical societies and has spent close to five decades gathering information that went into the book.
It also includes stories about the Shot Tower – a place where ammunition was produced more than 200 years ago – and Daniel Dunklin, who became governor of Missouri in 1832.
“I like history and I think Herculaneum has a lot of great history,” Garland said. “Gov. Dunklin lived (in Herculaneum). His house was down the bluff, a place we call ‘Riverside.’ In 1844, there was a flood, and Dunklin got wet and people think that led to his pneumonia and death.”
The book includes short stories from many of the families who have lived along Dunklin Drive. Some of the chapters include “The House on Windsor Cliff,” “Behind the Life of the Tildens” and “Ones that Saved the Fisherman.”
It was printed by Kopco Inc. in Springfield.
“I’m happy with it,” Garland said of the book.
Garland said Huber was a big help.
“She typed on her little laptop. I was never going to get it typed. I’d have never done it without her.”
Huber said she became involved after Garland contacted Dunklin R-5 School District Board of Education member Cheryl Aylesworth and asked if a student might like to help with the project.
Huber said she spent a year working with Garland on the book.
“I was sitting in class my junior year and my teacher notified us that Mrs. Aylesworth, who’s (Garland’s) neighbor, said Nadine was looking for someone who’s interested in writing,” she said. “Mrs. Aylesworth got me in touch with Nadine.
“We got together. She’s been putting the book together since the 1970s. She’s quite the history buff.”
Huber said she looked forward to her sessions with Garland while working on the book.
“(Garland) said she wants to document what Dunklin Drive is all about,” Huber said. “She would give me notes or letters people gave her for the book and I wrote. I also edited.
Huber said she learned a lot during the project.
“Just working with Nadine, she had so many great stories. I didn’t know the road was the original location of the Shot Tower,” Huber said. “It was interesting to learn about the people who lived on Dunklin Drive.”
Huber, the daughter of Ken and Tonya Huber, just graduated from Herculaneum High, although the commencement ceremony has been delayed because of COVID-19. Two ceremonies are planned – one for June 13 and another on July 23.
Huber has been a member of the Leader Teen Advisory Board for the past two years, working with a group of students from around the county on Leader editorial projects.
She said she plans to attend Westminster College in Fulton and major in English, and she eventually hopes to work as a screenwriter.
Huber said she appreciated the chance to work with Garland on the book.
“I very much enjoyed it,” Huber said. “It gave me a lot of experience I’ll use in the future. It was a joy to be able to work with Nadine on this.
“It was my first book and I hope that anybody who reads it will enjoy it.”
For Garland, the book was a labor of love. The last chapter, “The Garland Family,” tells of her life living on Dunklin Drive with her husband, the late Jerry Garland, and their son, the late Steve Garland.
“People who lived there or had relatives live there may be interested in the book,” she said.
Garland also said she liked working with Huber.
“She’s a sweetheart,” Garland said.
The book costs $5. Both Garland and Huber are selling copies.
For more information or to purchase “Dunklin Drive: A History,” send emails to chuber.art@gmail.com.