One of the things I enjoy most about traveling across America is discovering the stories that make each community unique. Some are found in museums or historic buildings, while others are tucked away in small parks, along sidewalks, or in places where people pass by every day without giving them much thought. These unexpected discoveries are often what make traveling so rewarding.

During a visit to Clay County, Missouri, I came across a monument and drinking fountain that caught my attention. At the top of the monument were these words:

"Come, drink, all who thirst for freedom. The water fountain will no longer separate us as a people."

It's a simple statement, but one that carries the weight of generations of history. A drinking fountain seems like such an ordinary thing. Most of us give little thought to stopping for a drink of water, yet for generations of Americans, public drinking fountains were among the everyday reminders of segregation, discrimination, and the denial of basic human dignity.

Here stood a fountain intended to represent something entirely different: freedom, equality, and a shared future. Behind that message was a much larger story about the people who helped build Clay County and the legacy they left behind.

More Than a Drinking Fountain

What makes this monument particularly meaningful is its use of a drinking fountain as a symbol. For much of our nation's history, public facilities, including drinking fountains, were segregated by race. These divisions were not simply inconveniences. They were daily reminders that some Americans were being treated as less deserving of dignity and opportunity than others.

Today, this fountain carries a very different message. It represents a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of race or background. Something as ordinary as a drinking fountain becomes a reminder of an extraordinary principle: the dignity of every human being.

Of course, a monument cannot change the past or erase the suffering and injustice experienced by previous generations. What it can do is encourage us to remember, reflect, and appreciate the progress that has been made while recognizing the work that remains. In that sense, this fountain serves a purpose far greater than providing a drink of water.

What History Teaches Us About Leadership

As I stood looking at the monument, I thought about the responsibility that comes with leadership, particularly in local government. Cities and counties are much more than streets, buildings, budgets, and infrastructure. They are communities of people, each with their own history, experiences, hopes, and challenges. The decisions made by local leaders can have a lasting impact on those communities, sometimes in ways that are not fully understood until years or even generations later.

That is why I have always believed servant leadership begins with recognizing the inherent value of every person. It means listening to people whose experiences may be different from our own, treating others with respect even when we disagree, and understanding that leadership is not simply about exercising authority. It is about using that authority in service to others.

The history represented by this fountain illustrates what happens when people are denied the opportunity to participate fully in their communities. It also demonstrates the determination and resilience of those who worked to overcome those barriers. Strong communities are built when people have opportunities to contribute, participate, and belong, and that principle remains just as important for today's local government leaders.

The Responsibility to Remember

I appreciate the work of the Clay County African American Legacy Consortium and those who helped make this monument possible. They recognized that the contributions of African Americans to the history and development of Clay County deserved to be acknowledged and preserved. Their efforts ensure that future generations have an opportunity to learn about the people whose work, perseverance, and accomplishments helped shape this region.

Preserving history is not about assigning today's residents responsibility for yesterday's wrongs. It is about recognizing the truth of our shared history, honoring the people whose lives helped shape the places we call home, and understanding how the lessons of the past can help guide our decisions for the future.

In many ways, that is an important form of community leadership. When communities make the effort to preserve and share their history, they strengthen the connection between generations and help residents better understand the place they call home.

A Lesson Worth Carrying Forward

Seeing that water fountain reminded me that history isn’t just something we read about in books or see engraved on monuments. It’s found in the lives and experiences of real people, in the stories passed down through generations, and in the conversations we have when we take the time to get to know one another. There is something special about sitting around a table with people you may have never met before, listening to their stories, learning about their families, and understanding the experiences that shaped their lives.

That’s what community is really about. It’s built through relationships, shared experiences, and a willingness to listen and learn from one another. Every person and every family has a story worth hearing, and those personal connections help us appreciate not only where we’ve come from, but what we share. As leaders, one of the most important things we can do is take the time to know the people we serve, understand their stories, and build communities where everyone feels valued and belongs.

This monument in Clay County is a wonderful example. What might appear at first glance to be a simple drinking fountain is actually a tribute to generations of people who helped build a community and a reminder of the importance of treating every person with dignity and respect.

And that is a lesson worth carrying with us, wherever the road may lead.

To Learn More

If you'd like to learn more about the history of Clay County, Missouri, the contributions of African Americans to the region, or the efforts to preserve its rich historical legacy, visit the Clay County Historical Society (https://www.claycountyhistoricalsociety.org/) or the Missouri State Archives (https://www.sos.mo.gov/archives).

About Ron on the Road

Ron Holifield speaks to over 2,000 local government officials annually and has coffee with over 250 local government officials each year as part of his travels. If you have a cool site you think he should visit, email Ron@CivicMarketplace.com. 

NOTE: This column was written with the assistance of Melissa Valentine, senior director of operations and support at Civic Marketplace. 

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