Boonville, Missouri

Part 2 of our Eastern Day Trips

Town Marker, photo by Zampano

Our second stop on our Eastern day trip is Boonville, Missouri. Where else but mid-Missouri can you get Civil War sites, Native American burial mounds, a state park, shopping, dining and riverboat gambling all in one small town?

Interestingly enough, while the town was named for the famous frontiersman, Daniel Boone, whose family operated a salt lick on the other side of the Missouri River, it is rumored that he never actually set foot on this side of the river. It might have been better to have named it after Hannah Cole, a 50 year old, widowed frontierswoman, with nine children, who actually founded the town in 1810. Even if she didn’t get her name on the town, at least the local DAR was kind enough to erect a statue of her in one of the local parks.

Hannah Cole Statue, photo by Shotaku

There are scads of Civil War sites in and around this area. The first Battle of Boonville, on the morning of June 17, 1861, was marked by approximately 500 members of the Missouri State Guard led by Claiborne F. Jackson, the Southern sympathizing governor of Missouri, who met 1,700 Union soldiers marching toward the community along the Rocheport Road. The battle was short, with around 80 combined casualties, but important in securing central Missouri and control of the Missouri River for the Union. Fortunately, it also put an end to attempts at having Missouri secede and join the Confederacy. You can click here for information on tours. They have them for everyone and every type of group. They can be guided or on your own.

Harley Park is where you can visit ancient, 100 B.C. to 500 A.D., Indian burial mounds. The mounds were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Because the park is located on the bluffs of the Missouri River, there is a lookout point where you can see the old forts in Howard County, the Boonslick Salt Springs, and site of the town of Old Franklin (the beginning of the Santa Fe Trail).

Hikers, bikers, and runners love the tranquility and beauty of the Katy Trail State Park. Boonville serves as a trail head for the park by providing parking areas and other amenities to trail users. There is a great website called www.bikekatytrail.com that has a wealth of information about the trail. Check it out!

Cyclists on the Katy Trail, photo by MoBikeFed

The Chamber of Commerce has a complete business directory online that will give you an idea of the scope of shopping and dining experiences awaiting you.

Finally, since having a good time here is a sure bet, the only opportunity you’ll have to take a chance will be at the Isle of Capri Casino.

Get out, take your time and enjoy the second leg of this Kansas City Day Trip to the East.