• Hiking,  History,  Missouri

    Discover Lakes, Trails, and Bunkers at Busch Memorial Conservation Area

    August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles County, Missouri has an interesting past. Tucked among the dozens of lakes and miles of hiking trails at can be found concrete bunkers once used to store TNT. What once was used as a munitions plant to support World War II, is now a great place for recreation. August A. Busch Conservation Area History The Conservation Area land was used by the Department of Army as a TNT munitions plant to…

  • Hiking,  History,  Kids,  Missouri,  St. Louis

    Explore the Times Beach Ghost Town at Route 66 State Park

    Missouri’s Route 66 State Park has a complicated and unique history. The area that is now a state park was once the home of the community of Times Beach. In the early 1980s it was discovered that the oil used to control the dusty streets of the town was contaminated with the toxic chemical dioxin. The entire town was condemmed and the residents forced to evacuate. After an extensive environmental cleanup, the area opened as a state park to celebrate…

  • Day Trip,  Hiking,  History,  Illinois,  Kids

    Explore a Prehistoric Settlement at Millstone Bluff

    Millstone Bluff is a historic gem tucked within the Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois. This archaeological site is not very well known, but worth a visit to view the remains of a prehistoric Native American village. A short and easy trail circles that site and is suitable for the whole family. History of Millstone Bluff The topography of Millstone Bluff rises 320 feet above the valley below. At the top of this mesa-like bluff, the Mississippian peoples constructed a…

  • History,  Kid Activities,  Missouri,  Museums,  National Parks,  St. Louis

    Explore History at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

    While most visitors to St. Louis make a point to visit Gateway Arch National Park, another nearby National Park site often falls under the radar. The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site is well worth the trip to visit. This site preserves the home where the Union Civil War General and 18th president once lived. Read on to learn all about the best tips to explore history at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site. Ulysses S. Grant Historic Site History…

  • Hikes,  History,  Kids,  Missouri

    Discover Shut-ins and History at Lon Sanders Canyon Conservation Area

    Lon Sanders Canyon is a scenic and short hike located off the beaten path near Piedmont, Missouri. If you are looking for a quiet place to explore or a shallow place for kids to splash, the area contains rocky shut-ins along McKenzie Creek. Despite its rugged beauty, this place is relatively unknown compared to more popular parks such as Johnson’s Shut-Ins. History The canyon holds some interesting history. It is rumored that the Jesse James gang hid out in this…