These Small Towns in Missouri Have the Best Historic Districts

Missouri was founded in 1821, and while only the 24th state to join the Union, it boasts a rich and fascinating history. Indeed, this Midwestern state claims to have been the scene of numerous important cultural phenomena and historical events, from the birthplace of ragtime music to major Civil War battles.

If you’re interested in learning more about Missouri's rich culture and history, you couldn’t do much better than spending time exploring the state’s many attractive small towns. The best of these, such as Ste. Genevieve, Lexington, and Washington have all done a great job preserving these elements in their picturesque downtown areas. Find out more with a read through this list of small towns in Missouri that have the best historic districts.

Hermann

Located 75 miles west of St. Louis on the banks of the Missouri River, Hermann was founded in 1837 by the German Settlement Society of Philadelphia, the USA’s oldest German culture organization, a group created to assist immigrants with settlement in their new country. This European heritage is evident throughout the town, including among the 360-plus buildings and structures in the Hermann Historic District.

One of the most significant of these is the Deutschheim State Historic Site, a fascinating museum that provides an intimate look into the lives of these first settlers. Comprising two historic homes, Strehly House and Pommer-Gentner House, you’ll see antique furniture, murals, and beautiful gardens that date back to the 1840s. Other must-see attractions in Hermann include the Gasconade County Courthouse, an elegant, red-bricked structure built in 1896 with its pronounced clock tower and Romanesque Revival style.

Ste. Genevieve

A visit to the charming small town of Ste. Genevieve makes for a fun day trip from St. Louis, an hour away to the north. The oldest European settlement in Missouri, it was founded in 1735 by French colonists from Canada and is now preserved as Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park. Some of the oldest surviving homes in Missouri are to be found here, including the town’s iconic vertical log homes, a unique style of construction characteristic of the French colonial period. Have your camera ready when you visit Bolduc House, built around 1770 and one of the finest surviving examples of this unique architecture.

Other fun things to do in Ste. Genevieve includes visiting Amoureux House, another log home built in this style, and Felix Vallé House State Historic Site with fine examples of French Colonial and American Federal style architecture.

Arrow Rock

Set on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River 20 miles northwest of Boonville, pretty much the entirety of Arrow Rock has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Originally named Philadelphia when established in 1829, townsfolk didn’t wait long to rename the community after a well-known nearby landmark. This early history, along with the town’s former importance as a riverport, is very evident in the Arrow Rock Historic District.

Notable historical points of interest in Arrow Rock include the Dr. John Sappington Museum which celebrates the life of the man who pioneered quinine as a treatment for malaria; and the aptly named Old Tavern, constructed in 1834 and little changed since.

Boonville

Like most of Missouri’s oldest towns, Boonville owes its establishment in 1817 to its position on the Missouri River. Not only did this help ensure its importance as a place of trade, but it also ensured Boonville played a significant role during the Civil War, with no less than two important battles taking place here.

Today, Boonville is home to a number of important historic sites. These include the Mitchell-Sharp House, built in Greek Revival style in the 1850s, and one of the best surviving antebellum-era homes in Missouri. Another must-see, the Boonville Bridge was constructed in 1873 and still serves as a key transit point across the Missouri River.

Lexington

Lexington is another Missouri sightseeing stop that played a significant role in the Civil War. Set on the Missouri River and rich in antebellum architecture, it’s here that you’ll find the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site. This popular tourist attraction was the scene of the “Battle of the Hemp Bales" in 1861 when Confederate forces used water-soaked hemp bales as a moving shield in their successful siege against the Union stronghold.

Other notable points of interest in Lexington include the imposing Lafayette County Courthouse with its commanding columns and clock tower, built in 1847 and one of the oldest working courthouses west of the Mississippi River; and the Anderson House, which served as a hospital during the Battle of Lexington and changed hands several times during the conflict.

Weston

Set on the banks of the Missouri River and just a stone’s throw from the state border with Kansas, Weston was founded in 1831 and has preserved an impressive collection of buildings. Stretching across 24 blocks, the Weston Historic District boasts over 100 well-preserved 19th-century structures along its cobblestone streets.

Highlights include the Holladay Distillery, established in 1856 and one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the U.S. Fun tours are available and include a peek inside its limestone cellars (yes, sampling is available); and the St. George Hotel, with its elegant brick façade and wrought iron balcony.

Washington

Just 50 miles west of St. Louis you’ll find yourself in historic Washington, MO. Founded in 1839 on the Missouri River, Washington’s architectural and cultural landscape still bears evidence of its European roots, especially in its Downtown Historic District. Lining its brick-paved streets is an impressive collection of meticulously restored 19th-century buildings, with standouts including the old train depot and the Corn Cob Pipe Museum.

This interesting museum pays homage to the town’s former status as “Corn Cob Pipe Capital of the World," with displays and vintage machinery relating to the pipe-making process. Another must-see is the Old County Courthouse, a stately edifice constructed in the late 1800s in Romanesque Revival boasting a picturesque clock tower.

Missouri's Historic Heartlands

From the first European settlers to pivotal Civil War battles, these small towns in Missouri offer excellent opportunities for visitors to get acquainted with America’s past. Whether it's the French colonial heritage of Ste. Genevieve or the Civil War tales of Lexington, these small towns in Missouri have the best historic districts for travelers to explore.