Our Mission

We are excited to make the neglected property a beautiful one that everyone can be excited to have in their neighborhood. It is our mission to use native species to restore the pasture areas. We will work judiciously to clear the Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive, and other invasive species from the forested areas. It is our lifelong goal to live in harmony with nature in a sustainable manor within a balanced eco system. We would love to see ferns, Dogwoods, Serviceberry, Mayapple, Trillium and other native species to replace the invasive species.

Site History

Early History

In the early 1900s through at least 1966 the property was used to grow nursery trees and for other agricultural purposes. Photos of the site and surrounding areas show hundreds if not thousands of trees growing in neat rows. In the 1970s Jean Callahan purchased the property at 162 Strecker Rd. She later acquired the neighboring property at 210 Strecker when her father, Angelo Marlo passed. Mr. Marlo acquired the property in 1962 from Genevieve Austin who had purchased the property only one month earlier from James and Alice Graham. The Grahams purchased the property in 1956 from Alma Bantle who purchased the property from Frank & Charles Kuhlman in 1955.

Jean and her husband Grover raised their family in the home at 162 Strecker Road and Jean Callahan lived in the home until her passing in 2016. One of Mrs. Callahan’s grandchildren lived in the home for a time but the property was mostly neglected from 2016 through 2021. We purchased both properties in early 2021 with plans to make the properties our home a wonderful part of the neighborhood.

Site Concerns & Historical Contaminates

In the 1960s and 1970s Grover Callahan had his hands in many different occupations. The most infamous of which was waste hauler. Mr. Callahan worked for his neighbor, Mr. Bliss to haul waste from various sites throughout the region. On occasion Mr. Callahan took the liberty to dump barrels of paint and associated waste in a ditch on the west side of his property. In August of 1980 Mo Department of Natural Resources received an eye witness report of the dumpsite. A follow up investigation revealed a disposal area of approximately 150 feet x 150 feet. During additional investigations, several drums were unearthed and sampled.  Sample results determined that the drums contained paint-related wastes and solvents. If you are interested in the scientific studies click here for tons more information.

Site Restoration

The cleanup activities were initiated when the MoDNR requested assistance from the EPA to address the buried drums, and a removal action was immediately initiated. An interim remedial action took place during December 1981 to February 1982, when 1,205 drums were removed from the disposal area. Of these 1,205 drums, 613 contained hazardous waste, which were over-packed and staged in two areas on the site for off-site disposal. Approximately 500 cubic yards of excavated soil were returned to the excavated drum burial area as backfill (Tetra Tech EM Inc. 2005).

Thanks to the dedication and advocacy of the Wildwood community the EPA conducted a second clean up action November 27, 2012, through December 6, 2012. A total of 2,056 tons of contaminated soil and debris, including drum fragments and metal pieces, were excavated and transported to the Milam Landfill for proper disposal as non-hazardous “special waste.” The final excavated area was approximately 21 feet long on the south wall, 75 feet on the east wall, 70 feet on the north wall, and 82 feet on the west wall. The depth of the excavated area ranged from 5 to 15 feet. Following completion of the soil excavation, the excavation was backfilled, and the site restored. 

Numerous independent firms have analyzed the property as well as the EPA’s records. In each case the analysis shows the property is safe for unrestricted use. Click here for a detailed chronological list including much of the research on the property.

Bright Future

Our family is working to beautify the neglected home and neighboring horse farm. We know it is going to take a lot of work and is not going to be completed immediately, but we hope to have our own horses for our family and all the neighbors to enjoy.

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