Mastodon State Historic Site

On our way home from St. Genevieve we finally had a chance to visit Mastodon State Historic Site. As we drove up to the museum we noticed that it was set to close in less than 10 minutes. I also noticed that there was a fee - $2.50 for adults and children under 14 were free. We decided to pop inside and I asked about the closing - they said we could take a quick look around (for free). We did get to see the mastodon model and a giant mastodon tusk and tooth - the kids were rather impressed.

Though the museum was closed - we still could walk along the trail outside and hike down to the Kimmswick Bone Bed. Even though we were only there a short time - the kids enjoyed it - though they were probably a bit disappointed in not finding a pile of mastodon bones in the bone bed. We need to return when the museum is open and we can spend a longer time looking around.

“Mastodon State Historic Site contains an important archaeological and paleontological site - the Kimmswick Bone Bed. Bones of mastodons and other now-extinct animals were first found here in the early 1800s. The area gained fame as one of the most extensive Pleistocene ice age deposits in the country and attracted scientific interest worldwide.

Archaeological history was made at the site in 1979 when scientists excavated a stone spear point made by hunters of the Clovis culture (14,000 - 10,000 years ago) in direct association with mastodon bones. This was the first solid evidence of the coexistence of people and these giant prehistoric beasts.

Today, the 425-acre property preserves this National Register of Historic Places site and provides recreational opportunities. A museum tells the natural and cultural story of the oldest American Indian site one can visit in the state's park system. A full-size replica of a mastodon skeleton highlights the exhibits.”