Tag: Historic

Hwy 144 off Highway 32 Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 573-883-3603 Just 25 minutes west of Ste. Geneviève, Hawn State Park is one of the best wilderness experiences that nature has to offer. The nearly 5,000-acre park features beautifully manicured areas for day use tent or RV camping. The River Aux Vases and Pickle Creeks provide added fun for staying cool in the summer. Dogwood and redbud trees along with numerous types of wildflowers give the park a stunning backdrop for your experience in the spring. Fall is especially colorful with the trees in their full autumn attire. Maps are available to guide visitors in hiking the many trails ranging from 2 to 10 miles in length. Read more…

Hickory Canyons Natural Area, Sprott Road Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Lamotte sandstone formed box canyons here from the sandy beaches of a shallow ocean that existed 500 million years ago. Millions of years of erosion and uplift of the Ozark Plateau exposed the sandstone we see today. After a rain event, a wet-weather waterfall can be enjoyed from the end of the 1/4 mile hiking trail on the east side of the county road. Another 1-plus mile trail loops through a canyon on the west side of Sprott Road. In the winter, the bluffs drip with icicles that sparkle in the sun. This area is botanically rich, supporting glacial relics, species that were more common in Missouri 12,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. Since then, the climate has warmed, forcing some species to inhabit micro-climates that mimic the cool, moist conditions of glacial times. Glacial relics at Hickory Canyons include hay-scented fern, fir clubmoss, and winterberry. The area is rich in fern species with over a dozen species represented. Read more…

Where: Historic District Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 800-373-7007 573-883-7097 A family-friendly, living history event! Come explore the traditions of the “School of the Soldier.” This is a fully packed weekend of lectures and camaraderie with plenty of events to see. On Saturday, attend a public heritage auction of discovered “desirables” – memorabilia, collectibles, “accouterments,” utensils, and “watcha-may-call-its.” In addition, Ste. Geneviève has the greatest concentration of original French colonial buildings in North America. Plus it is the only surviving French colonial village in the United States. At Ecole du Soldat activities of that early era are reenacted. Read more…

90 South 3rd Street Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573-883-2724 Hours Monday thru Wednesday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Serving Breakfast Monday to Friday Lunch and Dinner Daily Built around 1800, the Old Brick is one of the oldest brick buildings west of the Mississippi. It has served as a territorial courthouse as well as a school. Cuisine: At the Old Brick House, you can find sandwiches and fine dining, a fabulous hamburger, or a famous 40-ounce steak. Daily and Sunday a luncheon buffet is available. Alcohol: Wine, Beer, and Cocktails Read more…

Pere Marquette Park – Ste. Genevieve’s Hidden Gem Named for Father Jacques Marquette, the famous 17th-century French Jesuit missionary and explorer who journeyed down the Mississippi River with Louis Joliet in 1673, Pere Marquette Park offers locals and visitors a peaceful retreat where recreation, natural beauty, and open space come together. This scenic city park embodies the kind of unpretentious, family-friendly outdoor space that makes small-town life so appealing—and remarkably, it remains one of Ste. Genevieve’s best-kept secrets, seeing relatively light usage despite its excellent facilities. A Park That Invites You to Linger Pere Marquette Park provides exactly what a good city park should: ample space for play, rest, and recreation without the crowds and over-programming that can make urban parks feel more stressful than relaxing. The light usage means you’re likely to find the park peaceful and uncrowded, whether you’re visiting on a weekday afternoon or a weekend morning. This isn’t a park where you’ll struggle to find parking, wait for playground equipment, or feel like you’re competing for space. Instead, you’ll discover room to spread out, breathe deeply, and enjoy outdoor time at your own pace. For families with young children, this spaciousness is particularly valuable—kids can run, Read more…