A community-wide annual celebration from the 1940s is being reborn this spring in Tarkio. The Tarkiesta celebration will be held on May 25. This year’s theme will be centered on celebrating the 200th birthday of David Rankin.

In the late 19th century, Rankin became the largest farmer in the United States and a key developer of Tarkio. After buying his first land in Atchison County in the 1870s, he moved to Tarkio in 1885 from Illinois at the age of 60. His two sons preceded him to Northwest Missouri.

Rankin created a farming empire and pioneered the practice of farming with multi-row cultivators with his army of mules, as well as crop rotation, and profit-sharing with his managers. In addition to his farming enterprises, he also was a co-founder of Tarkio College and established Midland Manufacturing Company, which made cultivators and other farm equipment. Other local enterprises he began included bringing the railroad to Tarkio, Fairfax and Westboro, which was key for development of the town of Tarkio, as well as establishing the First National Bank, local telephone and electric utility service, among several other ventures.

Plans call for the celebration to begin with a community-wide worship service at the Tarkio Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 25. The day will also include a parade featuring members of the Rankin family, local music and a large herd of mules in tribute to his famous 6,000-acre cornfield near town cultivated by 42 mule teams. The parade will be followed by campus tours and a riding tour of the Rankin homes or homesites in Tarkio. Rankin descendants from across the U.S. are expected to attend.