Our favorite small towns in Missouri and Illinois
Post-Dispatch Features staffers picked their favorite small towns and places in Missouri and Illinois.
Introduction
Well I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Probably die in a small town
Oh, those small communities
—John Mellencamp
Small towns can evoke a sentimentality of life as we wish it could be — more laid-back, interconnected and bucolic.
Visitors can drop in and enjoy these charms in several nearby places in Missouri and Illinois. The Features staff wrote about our favorite small towns within a few hours’ drive from here. They include the quaint, the historic or scenic spots that captured our imaginations and revived our spirits. They also reveal a bias. Several of the towns on our list have a connection to a famous writer.
Whether you need a getaway for peace of mind or inspiration, you’ll find a place among our picks.
Vintage gas pumps sit in front of Wehner's Auto Body and Sales on North Main Street in downtown Ste. Genevieve on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Robert CohenGalesburg, Ill.
Galesburg, Ill.
Poetry must have blazed through the prairie around Galesburg, Ill., a pretty town with a distinguished place in American letters. It sits on the western edge of Illinois’ Spoon River area, a watershed famed for its gorgeous fall foliage and for a 1915 collection of poetry by Edgar Lee Masters.
With its frank, free-verse, spoken-from-the-grave sketches of more than 200 men and women who once lived in this beautiful area, Masters’ book swept to heights of fame today’s poets can scarcely imagine.
Galesburg was also home to an even more celebrated writer: Carl Sandburg. A major figure in American letters, Sandburg was awarded three Pulitzer Prizes: two for poetry and one for his work as a Lincoln biographer. You can visit the cottage where he was born at Galesburg’s Carl Sandburg Historic Site, which includes a museum and a theater.
And speaking of Lincoln . . . Galesburg’s Knox College is the only extant site of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debates. The debate was held on a platform outside Old Main, a landmark building still used for classrooms and offices. Lincoln had to climb out a window to reach the platform, which supposedly prompted him to quip that “At last I have gone through college.”
More info • visitgalesburg.com
— Judith Newmark
In 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debated on a platform outside the Old Main building at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. (Knox College photo)
Ste. Genevieve, Mo.
Ste. Genevieve, Mo.
Settled in the early 1700s, Ste. Genevieve is the oldest town in Missouri. I visit it several times a year because my parents renovated a farmhouse and retired there, so my experiences may not match those of a typical tourist.
There are still wineries to visit, historic houses to tour and area trails to hike, but visiting family isn’t without its cool revelations.
Staying for Mass at the Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church? It’s the oldest recorded parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and the baptistery contains an old stone bowl that is supposed to be from the old log church of 1794. Ordering a plate of onion rings at the Anvil Saloon and Restaurant? A restaurant has been inside the building since 1855, and the bar came from an 1850s steamboat that traveled the Mississippi River.
Ste. Genevieve hosts a great fireworks display on the Fourth of July (the traffic jam back to grandma and grandpa’s lasted all of 10 minutes), and they recently built a fantastic, inclusive playground at their community center (where you can swim with two kids at the indoor pool for about $10).
The town hosted a big party on Aug. 21 for the the total solar eclipse and will host another one in 2024, when the shadow will pass through again. I’m sure I’ll return a few times before then.
More info • visitstegen.com
— Valerie Schremp Hahn
The Jean Baptiste Valle House is seen through a window of the neighboring LeMeilleur House on the campus of New France: The Other Colonial America in Historic Ste. Genevieve on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018. The vertical log house built in 1794, was home to the last commandant of Ste. Genevieve, J.B. Valle. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Rocheport, Mo.
Rocheport, Mo.
Ever since I went to college at nearby University of Missouri-Columbia, Rocheport has become the epitome of small-town happiness for me. It’s become a little touristy in the time since then, but it hasn’t lost its charm; it’s just that more people know about it.
I first became enthralled with it because of the Katy Trail. Yes, we have the Katy Trail here, but in Rocheport it glides on the edge of a cliff and looks down onto the Missouri River. The colors in the fall are spectacular. You can rent bikes at Trailside Cafe & Bike Rental, or, if you’d rather see the river up close, book a guided kayak or canoe tour with Mighty Mo Canoe rentals, which leaves out of Rocheport.
The town itself is filled with adorable antiques shops and bed-and-breakfasts. I’ve stayed in a few, but my favorite is the School House Bed & Breakfast in a renovated 1914 school on the National Register of Historic Places. And be sure to have dinner or at least drinks at Les Bourgeois Vineyards & Winery, with views of the river you don’t want to miss.
More info • rocheport.com
— Amy Bertrand
The Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast in Rocheport, Mo
Rockbridge, Mo.
Rockbridge Trout and Game Ranch, Rockbridge, Mo.
Nestled in the Ozark mountains about 215 miles southwest of St. Louis, Rockbridge Trout and Game Ranch is a quiet respite that appeals to even the most “indoorsy” types.
The ranch offers picturesque spots for both fly- or light-tackle fishing. The spring-fed streams are well-stocked with rainbow trout and thus forgiving for first-timers. In addition to fishing, Rockbridge offers shooting, hunting, hiking and horseback riding, as well as a killer view of the Milky Way on a clear night.
There are a range of accommodations — from motel-like rooms to houses — each equipped with necessary creature comforts. The restaurant at the lodge is open daily and has a large menu but is know for — as one might guess — rainbow trout. The Grist Mill Club on the banks of the stream has been undergoing renovations following floods last spring, but when open, it’s a fantastic place for a drink.
More info • rockbridgemo.com
— Cara DeMichele
Fishing at Rockbridge Trout and Game Ranch, Rockbridge, Mo.
Hannibal, Mo.
Hannibal, Mo.
If you go to heaven for the climate and hell for the company, as Mark Twain said, then keep on driving north on Highway 61. This river city in northeast Missouri is where the American writer grew up, and the best attractions center around his work, his life and inspirations.
You can feel yourself in the company of Twain and his iconic characters around here. We visited the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, where I stood in reverence of his typewriter and writing desk. There’s also the Mark Twain Cave Complex, which was an inspiration for his novels. There are Mark Twain shows and live performances, where my daughter I and had our first discussion about the “n” word and its place in his work and society. And, we’ve even taken the Mark Twain Riverboat for a sojourn on the Mississippi.
More info • visithannibal.com
— Aisha Sultan
The popular Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum sells a self-guided tour of seven historical buildings, including Twain’s boyhood home. Photo by Tom Uhlenbrock
Louisiana, Mo.
Louisiana, Mo.
Located in northeast Missouri, on the Mississippi River and south of Hannibal, the town of Louisiana is a 90-minute drive from St. Louis. But it’s well worth the effort for anyone who’s looking to get away from the city. The tranquility of the place hits you the second you get there.
Normally there’s not much traffic, and not a lot of crowds. Just the easygoing vibe of a place where you’re invited to take your time and enjoy the scenery. But if you’re worried that there’s nothing to do, don’t. Louisiana may have a slower pace than the Gateway City, but it’s not off the grid.
Louisiana is home to a number of artists and craftspeople, who sell their wares at the annual Louisiana Country Colorfest in October, which includes a car show, a motorcycle show and live music. And the town’s antebellum buildings have earned it numerous listings on the National Register of Historic Places.
More info • louisiana-mo.com
— Calvin Wilson
An old barn sports the logo of Starks Brothers Nursery Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003 in Louisiana, Mo. The barn with the bear sign, which has stood for at least 40 years, has become a local landmark in Louisiana.(AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Branson, Mo.
Branson, Mo.
Believe it or not, this small Ozark town seems to have outgrown its “live music capital of the world” moniker.
Each year, around 9 million visitors flock to Branson — population 11,430, about four hours southwest of St. Louis — for its live music and comedy shows, outdoor adventures and other family-friendly attractions.
And though the area got its tourism start with wholesome, hillbilly-themed fare — Silver Dollar City, the Baldknobbers Jamboree, the Presleys’ Country Jubilee — the options these days skew a bit younger.
New additions include Bigfoot on the Strip, which offers an array of Sasquatch-themed attractions; Runaway Mountain Coaster, an alpine coaster that riders can help control; Fritz’s Family Adventure, a hands-on park filled with zip lines, tunnels and climbing walls; and the Branson Ferris Wheel, which formerly sat on Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier.
A Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson told the Post-Dispatch last year that the area saw its largest amount of investment last year, more than $300 million, and that the average age of visitors is trending downward.
Branson also has embarked on an ambitious project known as Spirit of 76, a multimillion-dollar revitalization of a five-mile stretch of Highway 76, the bustling strip lined with hotels and attractions. In addition to enhancements such as lighting and landscaping, the project will improve traffic flow and parking and make the area more walkable.
I first visited Branson as a kid. I returned a couple of years ago and barely recognized the place. And I’m looking forward to going back again soon to see how Branson has grown.
More info • explorebranson.com
— Gabe Hartwig
The Trailblazer Pass at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. on Sunday, May 14, 2017. Photo by Cristina M. Fletes, cfletes@post-dispatch.com
Mansfield, Mo.
Mansfield, Mo.
It sometimes boggles the mind to think that people from around the world have journeyed to Mansfield. I confess I’m not sure whether I’ve been in the town proper (TripAdvisor shows high ratings, however, for Vaccaro’s Pizza and Pasta).
But I’ve been to Mansfield’s nearby premier attractions more than once — and I’ll go again.
First is the farm where Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote “Little House on the Prairie” and other famous children’s books. She and her husband, Almanzo, bought land in the area and moved to Missouri in 1894. There are two houses at Rocky Ridge Farm, a clapboard farmhouse and the more “modern” Rock House that Rose Wilder had built for her parents in 1928. This is obviously a holy grail attraction for “Little House” lovers: Good thing there are millions. The farmhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places. All three Wilders are buried in Mansfield; the farm with its museum are open from March to mid-November.
The second big attraction near town is much newer but actually looks older. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds company has constructed a village of old timey buildings, holds festivals and sells its heritage seeds, many from exotic plants from around the world. Somehow Papa’s Red Corn and Thai Lavender Frog Egg Eggplant both found their way to a “frontier” village that Baker Creek started in 2007. Pretty amazing for a Missouri town of only about 1,300 people.
More info • mansfieldcityhall.org
— Jane Henderson
The white clapboard farmhouse where Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote many of the books in her "Little House" novels still stands in Mansfield, Mo., Feb. 28, 2007. Seventy-five years after the first book in the series was published, they remain popular internationally. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Garden of the Gods near Herod, Ill.
Garden of the Gods
There are many great places to explore in the 280,000 acres of the Shawnee National Forest, but there is a reason the Garden of the Gods is the most visited site.
I stood in the awe the first time I saw the garden of towering sandstone sculptures that were formed more than 320 million years ago. And my kids loved climbing and exploring the rocks.
Hiking up Observation Trail, a short ¼-mile looped trail, is easy. Check out the formations named Camel Rock, Anvil Rock and Devil’s Smoke Stack, and then take some time to enjoy the jaw-dropping views of the region and the abundance of natural beauty.
Bring the family and enjoy the outdoor recreation in the area which includes camping, hiking, climbing, horseback riding and more. Or relax at one of the wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail.
More info • fs.usda.gov/shawnee
— Norma Klingsick
Majestic rock formations attract outdoor enthusiasts, tourists, climbers and backpackers at Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area near Herod, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Washington, Mo.
Washington, Mo.
With a population topping 14,000, Washington is a big small town. That means it has a sizable downtown, which is just perfect for leisurely strolls through the streets or along the Missouri River.
The buildings in the downtown historic district are charming and have plaques listing the date they were constructed and their original use. You’ll find upscale food emporiums and antiques stores, plus stores selling both new and used clothing. And if you’re there on a Saturday in the summer, don’t miss the farmers market, which is one of the best in the area.
Rail fans will thrill to the 1923 Missouri Pacific Railroad depot, which is still used by Amtrak and also houses the town’s welcome center, as well as an art gallery. And pretty much everyone will enjoy seeing the Missouri Meerschaum Co., the only manufacturer of corn cob pipes in the country.
They even have a small corn cob pipe museum. That’s something you will find nowhere else in the world but Washington, Mo.
More info • visitwashmo.com
— Daniel Neman
The train depot in Washington, Mo. photo by Kathie Sutin
Hermann, Mo.
Hermann is known as much for its wineries and farmland perfect for growing grapes as it is for its German heritage, but both have histories that are intertwined. From the methods of wine-making to the influences in the food, to the big Hermann Oktoberfest held every weekend in October, you can feel like you’ve been transported to Germany when you’re really a little over an hour west of St. Louis.
“Hermann was founded by German immigrants who found the area to be very similar to their homeland,” says Patty Held, president of the Hermann Wine Trail, which represents a handful of the wineries in the area. “They found wild grapevines growing on the rocky hillsides, which gave them the inspiration to plant grapes and make wine.”
Before Prohibition, the Hermann area had 66 wineries, producing around 3 million gallons of wine a year at the turn of the century, according to Held. Thirty years after Prohibition ended, Stone Hill Winery, the state’s first winery, reopened in Hermann. Today, the town is a tourist destination, with the wineries the biggest draw.
“Hermann is a picture-book German village known for its Old World charm and hospitality,” Held says.
And though the downtown area by the Missouri riverfront is easily walkable, and easily reached by the Amtrak station, many of the wineries are a few miles away. The Hermann Trolley (hermantrolley.com) can take you to most of them if you don’t want to drive.
Most will head west on Interstate 70 to reach Hermann, but I took the scenic route, going through Washington, Mo.
— Amy Bertrand
Maeystown, Ill.
This small town in Illinois is a historic German village full of antiques and sweet shops. There's a mill and museum not to missed, too.
Try apple butter making at a restored 1859 rock mill.
More info: maeystown.com
St. John Cemetery in Maeystown, Ill. (Post-Dispatch)
New Haven, Mo.
Downtown New Haven if full of artist shops, antiques stores and restaurants. Don't miss Pinckney Bend Distillery and the nearby Robller Vineyard and Winery.
Gary Rice works on a small glass piece in his studio at Astral Glass. Chairs are set up so visitors can watch the glass blowers through windows. photo by Brian Sirimaturos
Casey, Ill.
This small Illinois town holds a lot of big records: the World’s Largest Rocking Chair, the World’s Largest Wind Chime and the largest mailbox, golf tee, knitting needles, crochet hook, wooden shoes and pitchfork.
See our story here.
An overview of downtown Casey, Ill. as seen from inside the Guinness World Records Largest Mailbox on Thursday Aug. 11, 2016. Photo By David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com