Local Attractions
in
Jefferson County, Missouri

Jefferson County is located in the southern region of metropolitan St. Louis and offers its visitors a variety of natural and historic attractions. Human habitation of Jefferson County goes back to 10,000 B.C. and visitors can investigate the Clovis culture and megamammals at Mastodon State Historic Site. The more recent Mississippian culture is in evidence at Washington State Park along with impressive Civilian Conservation structures from the 1930's. At Sandy Creek Bridge State Historic Site visitors can see one of only four remaining covered bridges left in Missouri. Nature lovers will find a number of good sites to visit including Washington State Park and several Conservation areas.

The Anheuser Estate
Kimmswick, MO
636-464-7407
The house, grounds, and contents of the 23-acre estate that was ancestral home of Fred and Mabel Ruth Anheuser were willed to the City of Kimmswick. Included was the Anheuser collection that included family heirlooms, antiques, portraits, and a family library. An admission is charged for tours. Open Thursdays Noon to 4 pm.
Gov. Dunklin's Grave
State Historic Site

Dunklin Drive
Herculaneum, MO
636-464-2976
Governor Daniel Dunklin, Missouri's fifth governor and often called the father of Missouri's school system, is buried at this site atop the limestone bluffs that overlook the Mississippi River. Interpretive signage explains the role of Dunklin in Missouri's history.
Dunklin-Fletcher
Memorial Park
Main Street
Herculaneum, MO
This park was provided for in the original plat of Herculaneum and later renamed for Missouri Governors Daniel Dunklin and Thomas Fletcher. The park sits atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River and the Doe Run smelting operations.
El Camino Real Marker
State Road K
Kimmswick, MO
In the late 1700s the Spanish used the inland trails of the Native Americans. The route from New Madrid and Ste. Genevieve to St. Louis was called the route El Camino Real (The Royal Road.) This oldest road in Missouri passed near what would become Kimmswick. The Missouri Daughters of the American Revolution erected a red granite boulder in 1917 to mark the route. The marker can be seen on the east bank of Rock Creek, 30 feet back from Highway K and ¼ mile before entering Kimmswick..
Fletcher House
Elm at 1st
Hillsboro, MO
This vernacular two-story two-room log house was built in 1851 on the outskirts Hillsboro was built by Thomas C. Fletcher for his bride and served as home prior to him becoming the eighteenth governor of Missouri.  The house has been renovated and is open as a house museum on a periodic basis.
Herculaneum
History Museum
345 Curved Street
Herculaneum, MO
636-475-5476
Housed in Herculaneum's public library this museum features historic memorabilia related to the town's past. Open during normal library hours.
Jefferson County
Courthouse
300 2nd Street
Hillsboro, MO
This vernacular building was first built in 1861-1863 with additions added in 1892, 1953, and 1975-1976. The courthouse is full of unique furnishings and original fixtures and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district courtroom features oak woodwork and tables and theatre chairs with ornate wrought-iron work. There are several ceramic-fronted fireplaces and several marbled- top washstands that remain original. The outside of the building is made of hand cut stones. The clock on the tower was not installed until July 1910. The bell, which weighs 1000 pounds and still tolls every hour can be heard up to 2 miles away.
Kimmswick Historical
Society Museum
Third and Vine Streets
Kimmswick, MO
636-464-8687
The Kimmswick Historical Society has restored the Kimmswick Bible Church and now operates a museum in the building. The museum features a collection of town memorabilia, including historical pictures, artifacts and maps. Visitors can pick up self-guided walking and driving tours of the town at the museum. Open from 1 am - 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Kimmswick
Visitor Center

314 Market Street
Kimmswick, MO
636-464-6464
Located in the Maul House that was built in 1872, the Kimmswick Visitor Center is filled with information, brochures, souvenirs, public telephone, bottled water, sodas, and public restrooms. Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Friday 10 am – 4 pm; Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 5 pm.
Mastodon State
Historic Site

1050 Charles J. Becker Drive
Imperial, MO
636-464-2976
The 425-acre Mastodon State Historic Site preserves the Kimmswick Bone Bed, an important paleontological and archaeological site. A museum tells the natural and cultural story man's interaction with prehistoric megamammals. The park is the oldest Native American Indian site one can visit in the Missouri State Park system. A picnic area and several trails offer chances to explore the land where the lives of Native Americans and mastodons once intertwined.
Morse Mill Park
County Road C
Jefferson County, MO
636-797-5334
Located near House Springs on the Big River, Morse Mill Park features and old mill and dam overlooking fast flowing water dropping over rocks. Swimmers use the beach and the park is used as a location to launch canoes and inner tubes for a 11-mile float trip to Cedar Hill Park. Anglers will find good fishing for small mouth bass, crappie, catfish, and other game fish. Primitive camping is permitted.
For more information visit
  www.jeffcomo.org/parks
Sandy Creek Bridge
State Historic Site

Old Lemay Ferry Road
Goldman, MO
636-464-2976
Sandy Creek Bridge is one of only four covered bridges remaining in Missouri. The bridge was restored to its original appearance in 1984 and the site features 205 acres of natural lands, an interpretive kiosk, and picnic facilities.
Valley View Glades
Conservation Area

Route B
Hillsboro, MO
636-458-2236

Victoria Glades
Conservation Area

Victoria Road
Hillsboro, MO
636-458-2236

Glades usually are small, rocky openings on hills in forests, woodlands and prairies and there is a large complex of glades in central Jefferson County. Grasses and broad-leaved, flowering plants are plentiful along with small pockets of dry upland forest dominated by blackjack oak. Bird watching includes glade and woodland species throughout the year. In the late spring the wildflowers and forbs bloom making the glade ideal for hiking and looking for wildflowers. Valley View Glades Conservation Area is composed of 225 acres and a 2.5-mile loop trail provides hiking opportunities. Victoria Glades Conservation Area is composed of 239 acres and a 2.3-mile loop trail. 
Washington State Park
Highway 21
DeSoto, MO
636-586-0322
This 1,875-acre park features prehistoric petroglyphs, rock carvings, from the Mississippian Native American culture that inhabited the area around 1,000 years ago. The park is noted for many stone structures that were built by the CCC during the depression and for the natural beauty of the eastern Ozarks. The park features swimming, fishing, canoeing, camping, rental cabins, interpretive programs, and hiking trails.
Windsor Harbor Road Bridge
Mill & Front Streets
Kimmswick, MO
This bridge that spans the Rock Creek is the oldest known wrought iron bridge in Missouri. It was built in 1874 by the Keystone Bridge Company to cross the River des Peres at Ivory Avenue in the Carondelet neighborhood in St. Louis. When a new bridge replaced it in 1928, the bridge was moved to Kimmswick and put in its current location in 1930. Today the bridge is only open to pedestrian traffic.
Nearby Attractions
Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri
Ste. Genevieve has the largest concentration of French Colonial architecture in North America and includes the Bolduc House, the Amoreaux House, and the Maison Guibourd- Vallé. The influence of the American expansion into the area in the 19th century can be seen at the Felix Vallé State Historic Site. Nearby Hawn State Park and Pickle Springs Natural area offer nature lovers unique hiking opportunities.
Randolph County, Illinois
Located across the Mississippi River from Ste. Genevieve, Randolph County is where Illinois began. Attractions include Fort de Chartres, the Pierre Menard Home and the Fort Kaskaskia State Historic site.
St. Clair & Monroe Counties, Illinois
Discover French colonial life at Cahokia, a town as old as Williamsburg, Virginia or visit the city of Belleville that offers its visitors a wide variety of attractions that includes an art gallery, museums, and the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.
For Travelers Heading Up River
St. Louis Area
Metropolitan St. Louis offers an abundance of activities that cover the interests of almost any visitor.
Meeting of the Great Rivers
Scenic Byway

The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway area is one of America’s newer scenic byways. With over 20,000 acres of forest and wetlands at the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, it is a nature lovers paradise. Visitors will find spectacular colors in the fall and bald eagles in the winter. History abounds in the region ranging from the prehistoric Cahokia Mounds to sites on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

 
 

 Regional Guides
to the Middle Mississippi River Valley


Ste. Genevieve &
French Colonial Country

Meeting of the Great Rivers
National Scenic Byway


Meeting the Missouri
Historic St. Charles County


The Lincoln Hills Region
Northeast Missouri

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