For more than a century, the fire brick industry was Audrain County’s leading economic sector. At its peak, it employed more than 5,000 people—a defining history that, alongside the legacy of equestrian sports, helped shape the character of the region. One point of reference is Mexico: the city is centrally located in Audrain County and is its oldest city.
Fire Brick as County History
The Fire Brick Museum preserves photographs, records, equipment and raw materials from the history of the fire brick industry in Audrain County. Its collection brings together different records of an economic sector that shaped the county across generations. Audrain Country School also offers a glimpse into another era: it was built in 1903 and features a slate blackboard, original school desks and books.
The Audrain County Church is a testament to the area’s architecture and religious history. Completed in 1889, it is an Akron Plan church. In Mexico, the Audrain County Historical Society is located in the 11-acre Robert S. Green Park. These historic sites bring together a range of topics: industry and commerce, education, religious architecture and the preservation of local history.
Equestrian Sports and Historic Collections
The area’s equestrian history is reflected in several collections and landmarks. Colonel Ulysses S. Grant, as he was then known, visited the Ross House Museum in the early 1860s. The museum houses the Cauthorn-Stribling Library, arranged like a library in a home from 1870 to 1900. Grant’s visit and the library’s design offer different historical perspectives: the history of the house and a glimpse of domestic life in the late 19th century.
The Missouri Saddlehorse Museum was founded in 1970 to complement the Ross House and displays an extensive collection of equestrian memorabilia. The grave marker of the Saddlebred stallion Rex McDonald (833) is on its grounds. The American Saddlebred Horse Museum houses the nation’s largest collection of memorabilia related to Tom Bass. Together, these subjects point to the connections between horse breeding, sport and the culture of remembrance, without letting any single perspective define the history on its own.
Trails, Grassland and Two Lakes
The William Lowe Conservation Area covers 133 acres on the southern edge of Mexico. Trails pass through a 40-acre field of native grasses. Teal Creek flows through the conservation area and empties into Teal Lake. This 80-acre lake is in Mexico and is maintained by the city. The creek and lake are part of a landscape in which water and grassland are closely connected.
The lakes also differ in size: Lakeview Park Lake covers 25 acres and is located in Mexico’s Lakeview Park. A 1.5-mile ADA-accessible trail circles the lake. Fishing for sunfish, catfish, crappie and largemouth bass is listed for Teal Lake; boats may use electric motors only. If you’re planning to fish or go boating, check current conditions in advance. This lets you account for the specific differences between the two lakes without treating their respective shorelines and recreational opportunities as the same.
Culture and Everyday Life in Mexico
In Mexico, the Presser Arts Center complements the area’s historical themes with performing arts and instruction. Offerings include performances as well as classes, camps and activities in music, art, performance theater, film and various instruments—for people of all ages and skill levels. The Mexico Farmers Market offers something different: locally produced fresh meat and produce for sale. The arts center and market provide two different glimpses of life in the city, while the county’s industrial, educational and equestrian history reveals other sides of Audrain County.
Discover more destinations: Moniteau County, Barton County, Gasconade County, Newton County, Phelps, Adair County, Platte
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