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Mastodon State Historic Site

DESCRIPTION: Mastodon State Historic Site is one of the most important archaeological sites in Missouri. It is especially significant because archaeologists first discovered a stone weapon along with the bones of a mastodon here. The bones of mastodons and other now-extinct animals were first found in the area in the early 1800s in what is now known as the Kimmswick Bone Bed. The bed, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places, held many well-preserved bones and the area became recognized as one of the most extensive Pleistocene bone beds in the country attracting scientific interest worldwide. The Museum and site office is on Museum Drive, off the West Outer Road of I-55, and the picnic and special use areas are off Seckman Road. The Museum focuses on Missouri's Ice Age animals and the Native Americans who hunted them more than 10,000 years ago. There are also three short hiking trails at the site.

ADDRESS: 1050 Museum Drive, Imperial, MO 63052

LOCATION: In Jefferson County south of St. Louis

PHONE: 636-464-2976

WEB SITE: www.mostateparks.com/mastodon.htm

GETTING THERE: From Downtown St. Louis, take I-55 south to Exit 186 (Imperial Main Street). Turn right on Imperial Main Street. Turn right almost immediately onto West Outer 55 Road and follow it approximately .6 mile. For the picnic area and playground, turn left on Seckman Road and follow it a short distance. The areas will be on your left. For the Museum, turn left on Museum Drive and follow it a short distance to the museum.

HOURS: Museum: Mon.- Sat., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sun., noon-4:30 p.m. Museum Winter Hours: Closed Tues. and Wed. Open Mon., Thurs, Fri. and Sat., 11-4 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m.Site grounds: 9 a.m. - one-half hour past sunset.

ADMISSION: Entry into the site grounds is free. Admission to the museum is $2.50, adults; under 15, free.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Museum displays include a full-size replica of a mastodon skeleton; bones, tusks, teeth and human artifacts from the site; photographs of past excavations and exhibits on prehistoric animals. An audiovisual presentation explains the significance of the mastodons and the site.
• The site where the bones and artifacts were discovered is down a short trail from the Museum. The excavations have been closed since 1984 to protect the bone bed.
• Rock Creek runs behind the picnic sites providing a pleasant area to explore with children. The picnic area has pit latrines, water fountains, a playground and horseshoe pits nearby.
• The half-mile trail from the museum to the bone beds leads visitors through a wildflower area, across an old quarry and down a limestone bluff and talus slope. Two trails begin at the picnic area. The Spring Branch Trail is a three-quarter mile walk through the picnic area and along a small creek flowing from Bollefer Spring. The water flowing from the spring keeps the stream's temperature constant year-round. The Limestone Hill Trail is a steep, rugged 2 1/4-mile trail along a limestone bluff, past an old quarry and through a maturing forest of red, white and chinquapin oak, shagbark hickory, hackberry and eastern red cedar.
• A special use area with limited facilities is available to organized youth groups for primitive camping.

ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS: Mastodon State Historic Site holds two special events each year. The Paleo-Indian Spear Factory is held each May. Craftsmen demonstrate techniques used to create weapons during Paleo-Indian times (prior to 10,000 years ago). Visitors may have an opportunity to throw a spear with an atlatl (an ancient throwing stick). In September, the Site holds Archaeology Day, an event which covers the Paleo-Indian time period through to the time of the Plains Indians as well. Activities include rock painting, corn grinding and demonstrations of fire-starting, flintknapping and preparing animal hides. Experts who can help visitors identify artifacts are also on hand that day. In 2004, the May even will be changed to a "Fossil Day."

HISTORY: Archaeologists believe the area around the Site was once swampy and marked with mineral springs. Mammals frequenting the spring may have become trapped in the mud which helped preserve their bones. While bones of more than 60 mastodons were reportedly taken from the pit, many were sold, given way, taken by relic hunters or destroyed by the quarry operations which later came into the area. In the 1970's, four local women spearheaded a drive to save the site. They enlisted the help of local legislators, individuals, corporations and school children and in 1976, with the help of a federal grant, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources was able to buy the 418 acres containing the bone bed. The site became a state park but in 1996 it was renamed Mastodon State Historic Site. The Illinois State Museum began excavations at the bone bed on behalf of the Missouri DNR in 1979. The significant discovery of human weapons with the animal bones was made when a stone spear made by hunters from the Clovis period (10,000-14,000 years ago) was unearthed there.

HANDICAPPED ACCESS: The Museum is handicapped-accessible but the ramp is a bit steeper than most.

WHERE TO GET LUNCH: There are several restaurants nearby off Interstate 55 and in Kimmswick, Missouri nearby.

GIFT SHOP: The Museum sells a small line of items relating to the time period.

WHAT'S NEARBY: Nearby is the historic town of Kimmswick, Golden Eagle River Museum and Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site.

PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Nancy Smith, Site Administrator, 636-464-2976

Readers should call 1-800-916-0040 to request a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitor Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis at www.explorestlouis.com