7 Old-World Towns to Visit in Missouri

Often referred to as “The Mother of the West,” Missouri played a pivotal role in westward expansion, serving as a crossroads for pioneers and explorers in the 19th century. The state’s rich history also includes Civil War battles and iconic Route 66 stops, offering a wide variety of historic attractions across its cities and towns. Looking for the most historic towns in Missouri where you can experience a different era? These seven towns are filled with historic landmarks, architecture, and museums that will remind you of a time long gone.

Ste. Geneviève

Ste. Geneviève is known for its rich French colonial past and is one of the oldest permanent European settlements to the west of the Mississippi River. Travelers interested in the history of French Colonial America can visit the Centre for French Colonial Life, which features rotating exhibits, historic houses such as the Beauvais-Linden Living History House, and living history presentations.

The Guibourd-Vallé House also showcases the town’s French heritage. Constructed in 1806 in a “poteaux-sur-solle” style, it is the only national historic landmark in Ste. Genevieve, where visitors can go up to the attic to appreciate the period’s Norman truss architecture. The Charleville Brewery and Winery, housed in a restored 1860s cabin, blends beer, wine, and history. Visitors can tour the brewing facilities and savor an appetizer or pizza paired with a craft beer or wine in the cozy tasting room.

Branson

Founded in 1903 by a group of men with plans to make it an industrial hub in the Ozarks, Branson evolved into a thriving resort town over the decades. While many people visit Branson today for its prime location in the Ozarks, its historic district features several museums and historic entertainment facilities worth exploring. The Branson Centennial Museum is one example, showcasing the town’s history and musical timeline.

For live music, visitors can enjoy performances at Hot Hits Theatre, featuring music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The Historic Owens Theatre, constructed in 1936, is a great place to catch a play from the Branson Regional Arts Council’s community theater as well. Want to feel like a 20th-century pioneer? Consider horseback riding through Dogwood Canyon, passing through old logging trails, historic ridges, and rustic woods.

Lexington

Lexington was established in 1822 and named in honor of the famous Battle of Lexington. Today, it is home to four historic districts, ranging from Victorian to Antebellum architecture. Visitors can learn more about the area’s coal mining, steamboats, Osage Native American tribe, and the Pony Express mail service by visiting the Lexington Historical Museum, which is open on weekend afternoons.

Visitors can also immerse themselves in Civil War History by visiting the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site and touring the battlefield, hospital, and trenches as well as view war artifacts. After exploring the battle site, visitors can head to Riverfront Park to enjoy views of the Missouri River, possibly standing where Lewis and Clark once stood, looking out over the river during their 19th-century expedition.

Arrow Rock

In 1963, the entire village of Arrow Rock was declared a National Historic Landmark due to its significance in the Westward Expansion period. Many attractions around town are self-guided, such as the “Reflections of African-American Arrow Rock” exhibit, which uses oral histories, artifacts, and records to talk about the experience of Black Americans in the area. Other attractions include the Shelby Log Cabin, built in the 1830s, the Miller-Bradford House, from 1839, and the Masonic Lodge Hall and Craft Shop, constructed in 1868.

For a one-of-a-kind experience, visitors can attend the “Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Village” event on December 7th. During this celebration, the town will open its historic buildings, with actors and interpreters bringing the past to life and showcasing what Christmas was like in the village centuries ago.

Washington

Established in the 1830s, Washington is one of Missouri’s oldest settlements and has hosted notable figures like Lewis and Clark and Daniel Boone. The Washington Historical Society is a great place to learn more about its centuries of history, offering two floors of local history exhibits and artifacts to explore.

Visitors can also learn about railroad and train history by visiting the Iron Spike Model Train Museum, featuring a range of models, the oldest train dating back to 1910. Want to try something new? Stop by the Axe Depot, a locally-owned business, to try your luck at axe throwing. Those looking for a more peaceful afternoon can take a stroll through Lion’s Lake Park, which has a one-mile trail circling the lake, a playground, and swingsets.

Carthage

Carthage sits at the intersection of Civil War history and Route 66, giving it an interesting mix of historical sites and attractions. Those interested in the Civil War side of Carthage’s history can visit the Civil War Museum in town, which contains exhibits, artifacts, and a diorama about the Battle of Carthage.

Incorporated into Route 66 in 1920, Carthage is home to several vintage landmarks that look back on this iconic era. Boots Motel is the perfect example, established in 1939 and featuring classic streamline moderne architecture. The 66 Drive-In theatre is another beloved landmark, which continues to show films from April through October and is one of the country’s few drive-in theaters still in operation.

Cape Girardeau

There are over 250 years of history to explore in Cape Girardeau, ranging from the Lewis and Clark expedition, early Mississippian river settlements, and connections to Mark Twain. The Cape River Heritage Museum is a good starting point, covering a large variety of the area’s history through both permanent and rotating exhibits. Travelers can also visit the nearby Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, a four-story brick and stone building that dates back to the 19th century and was used to grind corn.

Those interested in the Civil War can stop by the Fort D Historic Site, where an 1861 earthwork fort continues to prominently stand as a reminder of the country’s past. For an elegant steak dinner, make a reservation at 36 Restaurant and Bar, an upscale restaurant located in the heart of Cape Girardeau’s historic district.

Final Thoughts

Although Missouri's settlements began later than those in some states, its history is rich with the stories of pioneers who formed its heritage. Many of the best-preserved examples of this legacy can be found in the state’s smaller towns, thanks to local preservation efforts aimed at honoring their ancestors' past. Whether 18th-century buildings, Civil War forts, or classic Route 66 motels fascinate you, each of these seven towns will give you the perfect history-filled itinerary.