IN
When
you feel the need to "get back to nature", it's time to get to Mississippi
County!
Whether
your interest be bird watching, hunting, fishing or just enjoying the natural
beauty
of
the land, Mississippi County has something for everyone.
To be announced.
Spend the day at BIG
OAK TREE STATE PARK, a 1,000 acre
Department of Natural
Resources
(DNR) state park noted for its champion trees. Eighty acres has been
designated
as
a National Natural Landmark, and one of the last remaining virgin bottom
land forest and cypress swamps in the nation. Walk the 3,200-foot
long boardwalk meandering through stands
of
giant oaks and cypress swamp, spend the day fishing or watch the sky for
the over 150
different
species of birds known to exist there. In September, you can step
back in time when
Big
Oak hosts LIVING HISTORY DAY, a special event where modern artisans demonstrate
a number of traditional crafts from days gone by.
Take a hunting trip to TEN MILE POND CONVERSATION AREA , which is a Missouri Department of Conservation facility, a portion of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Home of tens of thousands of ducks and geese during the late fall, and winter. Limited hunting available in season.
NUMBER SEVEN ISLAND CONSERVATION AREA is located on the Mississippi river in the south end of the county. It is a Missouri Department of Conservation facility, managed as habitat for ducks and geese. Limited hunting. Deer and the rare swamp rabbit are also plentiful.
With 95 miles of Mississippi River frontage, you can sit on the bank of
" OLD MAN RIVER"
and
watch as the world goes by; hop aboard the few remaining RIVERBOAT
FERRIES
in the country for a leisurely ride across the Mighty Mississippi; or take
advantage of the many fishing and boating opportunities offered by the
legendary muddy waters.
Fishing is also available inland at ROBERT DELANEY CONSERVATION LAKE located one mile north of Charleston, this 112 acre lake is a fisherman's delight. This is also a Missouri Department of Conservation facility.
Mississippi County heritage is as rich as its soil, and you can share in that heritage at TOWOSAHGY STATE PARK HISTORIC SITE; It is a Mississippi Indian Ceremonial Center, temple mound, with six smaller mounds. There are kiosks with exhibits and walking trails, this is a Department of Natural Resources facility. This was Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant's first major battle of the Civil War. A historic marker at the end of Highway 80 interprets the battle. It was at this same site that during the war a huge chain was stretched across the river from Mississippi County to Kentucky to stop river traffic. A part of the chain is displayed in the MISSISSIPPI COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM.
Other sites include: BATTLE OF BELMONT STATE HISTORIC SITE, GOVERNOR WARREN E. HEARNES MUSEUM, and the MISSISSIPPI COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOME AND MUSEUM.
Today, Mississippi County retains an atmosphere of the historic south. The county seat, Charleston, is known as the city of beautiful homes. In April, Charleston hosts the DOGWOOD AZALEA FESTIVAL. Lawns, gardens and parks are alive with vibrant spring flowers and special events appeal to both visitors and residents.
East Prairie, a town rich in railroad history, is home of the annual SWEET CORN FESTIVAL and FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, a special event commemorating the nation's birthday and the local sweet corn harvest in an old fashioned country fair atmosphere. In October, East Prairie hosts FALL FEST.
For
more information, please contact:
East
Prairie Tourism Council
Lisa Hillhouse
219
N. Washington
Charleston Chamber of Commerce
East
Prairie, Mo 63845
Charleston, MO 63834
(573)
649-3057
(573) 683-6509 (office)
(573)649-2452
(573) 683-6799 (fax)
email:
tourism@eastprairiemo.net
email: charleston@ldd.net
Or Visit us at our
Charleston Chamber of Commerce Web
Site
RELATED LINKS:
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
MISSOURI
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
MISSISSIPPI
RIVER COUNTRY, USA
