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Poplar Bluff, Missouri: Call Of The Wild (Gone)

Visitor Tips and News About Call Of The Wild

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Call Of The Wild

Now a strip club, but my dad and I stopped in on my way to college in Arkansas, my freshman year. Moldy safari trophies arranged in "natural habitat." My favorite display was of Bigfoot, complete with Mamafoot and Babyfoot drawn in the background. Sorry it's gone, but it's not forgotten.

[Maggie, 06/25/2004]
Call of the Wild

Concerning the old "Call of the Wild" building at Poplar Bluff, MO, I pass by the old building occasionally and can assure you that it does remain today.

However, today it is a "gentleman's club". They advertise on the radio constantly, even as far south as Jonesboro, AR (about 80-90 miles away). They have kept the name "Call of the Wild" and apparently have an "all nude side" that they call "The Wild Side".

As stated on your web page, the faux stone facade is still intact, but all the animals that once stood guard on the various cliffs and boulders arranged on the building, are long gone. As a youngster, passing the building and soaking in the visual impact of the building, was nearly more than I could stand. However, only once did we ever stop for a visit.

Inside the main portion of the building, they had a wide array of the usual nick-knacks, junk, and souvenirs. The museum portion cost extra, but it really was quite impressive to see the stuffed animals.

[Trent Dowler, 09/02/2003]
Call of the Wild - Vague Recollections

I was an Army recruiter, stationed at Poplar Bluff from '75 to'78. My parents lived in Prescott, Arkansas, where I often travelled for holiday visits. My route was Hwy 67, right past the Call of the Wild. Though the attraction was located a short distance from Poplar Bluff, I didn't stop there until just prior to my departure from Poplar Bluff (overseas). It was a museum, of a sort, filled with various dioramas, depicting many species of real animals (stuffed) in their natural habitat. They included (based on my limited memory!), cougers, armadillos, raccoons, ground squirrels, a long-horned steer, some African wildlife, plus a huge array of wild fowl. I was in a minor state of awe, in that such a fine display was located in an almost desolate area, to be seen by so few. On the other hand, it was obviously an old, established business and could very well have seen many, many tourists over the years before my visit. I haven't been back to that part of the country for over twenty years. I am disappointed that it could have been degraded to a tavern, or "honky tonk"! It was, at one time, truly a sight to see!

[James Hairston, 01/16/1999]
Call of the Wild remnants

I'm still kicking myself for not photographing it, but I'm pretty sure I spotted what's left of "Call of the Wild" on a recent trip to Arkansas, south of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. What it amounts to is a massive facade of fake stone at a lonely crossroads, now (or at least most recently) being used as a tavern. I forget the name of the joint, but I personally would have kept the original moniker. And the fake animals, of course.

[Darren Snow, 06/12/1998]
Call of the Wild

Just above the exit of the Jesse James Wax Museum in Stanton, Missouri, I saw a large photograph of a building with a faux granite facade and fake animals perched on the top. The label said it was "Call of the Wild", as I expected. I assumed it was the attraction in Gaylord, Michigan.

I looked closer, though, and found that this Call of the Wild was located south of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the intersection of US Highways 160 and 67.

The picture looked about thirty to forty years old. I didn't have time to make the detour to Poplar Bluff to check it out. Do you know if this place is still around? I suspect that it isn't.

[Craig S. Thom, 04/14/1998]

Call Of The Wild

Directions:
About 10 miles south of Poplar Bluff, Mo on hwy. 67 at the intersection of hwy. 67 and hwy. 160.
Hours:
Museum replaced by strip bar.
Status:
Gone

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