“On July 1, 1890 a surprise birthday party was held in honor of Samuel Calvin McCullah's 52nd birthday. Relatives and friends came to his home located two miles west of Marionville, Missouri. This was the first and beginning of the McCullah-Wasson Family Reunion. The first reunions were a one-day affair held at the homes of relatives, later extended to two or three days over a weekend, and finally to span a week. In 1908, it was decided that a permanent place be selected for the reunion. A campsite was chosen on the old homestead of John and Caroline (McCullah) Wasson on the Finley River south of Nixa, MO. This ground, known as the Hawkins farm, is now owned by relatives of the original couple. Each year, from the first Sunday to the second Sunday in August, relatives gather on this land to renew, reconnect, reminisce, and simply relax. It’s our Reunion.” ~ Written by Jane Horn Staiger with Callie Carter Linville