Today is Walt Disney Day in Missouri. The global icon for kids spent part of his childhood in the Show-Me State. Walt Disney lived from age six to ten on a farm in the small town of Marceline in northern Missouri.
Peter Whitehead from the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline said Disney spent formative boyhood years in the small Linn County town.
“Literally an icon, a worldwide-known figure called your little community his home. It’s incredibly important,” said Whitehead.
Although Disney’s family only lived in Marceline for four years, Disney’s ties to the town are pronounced, with the elementary school and post office named for him as well. “Main Street U.S.A” in Disney World is based off Marceline’s Main Street.
The town also provided inspiration for the film Lady and the Tramp.
There’s a celebration at the old Disney Farm set for this afternoon.
Brad Tregnago of KSSZ contributed to this story.