The fabulous Call of the Wild

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales about us, our family and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

J.R. Baker was a real estate broker and a big game hunter. He routinely went on big game safaris in Africa.

In 1956, he began collecting exotic animal trophies and specimens from his hunts. Like all collectors, Baker wanted to show off his treasures. He built a museum south of Poplar Bluff at the intersection of Highway 60 and 67.

The outside facade had the appearance of a giant rock wall with a cave entrance. Baker opened his museum in 1970, calling it “Baker’s Fabulous Call of the Wild.”

The museum consisted of many wild animal exhibits in their natural habitats. The dioramas were professionally created by the world famous George Marchand. Marchand had created dioramas for the most famous natural history museums in the country.

Baker’s favorite trophy was the man eating Bengal Tiger who had killed over 100 people in India before Baker shot him. He also had a large collection of Myrtlewood furniture.

Baker bragged that Solomons Temple was furnished with Myrtlewood.

The museum also had a snack bar, theatre and gift shop of local Ozark handicrafts. The Call of the Wild was a field trip stop for all the local school children. The kids favorite exhibit was the Bigfoot diorama.

Even though the museum eventually closed in 1989, the unique rock face building still stands.

The Butler County Historical Society Room of the Poplar Bluff Museum contains many souvenirs from the Fabulous Call of the Wild.

The museum is handicap accessible and open from 1-4 p.m. every Sunday free of charge at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.