MAPPING THE MIDLAND EMPIRE: A MISSOURI VERNACULAR REGION

D.P. Fox

Department of Natural and Physical Sciences, Park University

In 1980 Wilbur Zelinsky called on geographers to take up the task of expanding our knowledge of North America’s vernacular regions.  Thirty years hence, relatively few have answered his call.  This poster is the author’s first attempt to formally take up Zelinsky’s challenge.  The “Midland Empire” is a vernacular regional label regularly used by citizens of the city of St. Joseph, Missouri, and several surrounding communities, including a handful in northeast Kansas.  A variety of clubs and organizations utilize this regional name in their titles.  Mapping their locations and self-described service areas yields a first glimpse into the core and peripheral areas of this vernacular region. The intent, therefore, is to conduct a study of northwest Missouri and the surrounding portions of Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, in order to identify and delineate the areas in which this regional label is most commonly used.