Senator David Pearce Capitol Report
Missouri’s vast landscape, from the mountainous Ozarks to the wide river basin in Mid-Missouri, to the gently rolling hills and farmland that makes up the 21st District, is the perfect setting for an adventure. Missouri is also fortunate enough to offer 52 state-run parks and 35 state historic sites operated and maintained by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The 21st District, which includes the counties of Caldwell, Carroll, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray and Saline, offers history, culture and great opportunities for exploring nature.
Saline County is the home of the 300-acre VanMeter State Park. This park was once home to a variety of Missouri Indians and to this day is the home to many rare Missouri plants and animals. It features an 18-acre lake and two Native American historic sites known as the Old Fort and the Mound Field, which is made up of three burial mounds that belonged to the Woodland Indians. Missouri’s American Indian Culture Center is also located at this state park. Saline County also features several other DNR-operated parks and historic sites that include Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock, the George Caleb House (Arrow Rock State Historic Site) and more.
Another state historical site that is sure to help quench one’s thirst for knowledge is Oliver Anderson’s house, most famously known for its association with the historical Battle of Lexington. Originally built as a private home in 1853, it became the controversial site of the bloody three-day Civil War battle, due to the fact that the house was marked as a hospital with a white flag when the attack began. During the war, it operated as a field hospital. Today, you can visit the Anderson house and still see the bullet holes left by those who fought to build our country into what it is today.
The town of Lexington proudly displays its Civil War battle scars. The historic Lafayette County Courthouse, on the town square, has a plaque pointing to where a cannonball is buried in a column, a relic of the Battle of Lexington fought in September 1861.
Another historical site affected by the Civil War in the 21st district is the Village of Arrow Rock. Its flint-bearing limestone bluffs became a significant landmark along the Missouri River for Native Americans, explorers and travelers moving west. The Village of Arrow Rock suffered economic decline after the Civil War as a result of new railways that passed by the town, and the use of steamboats and riverways were no longer the fastest or most desirable form of transportation. However, Arrow Rock is still preserved today to represent the historical significance of the village.
Not too far from Arrow Rock is Boone’s Lick State Historic Site, which highlights one of the state’s first industries, salt. A short hike will take you back in time to learn about this unknown staple in Missouri’s early economy.
Knob Noster State Park, in the heart of the district, was lucky enough to have received approximately $1.2 million in capital bonds to be used for repairs. This park offers a variety of animal species and displays many of Missouri’s landscapes, from prairie to wooded lands and even fishing.
It is my hope that you are able to enjoy the variety of activities that these parks and historical sites offer. Missouri is a state rich in history and beautiful physical attributes, and both can be found in the 21st District.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or (573) 751-2272, or by fax at (573) 526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Caldwell, Carroll, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray and Saline counties in the 21st State Senatorial District.
