A lake spanning 205 acres and a monumental sculpture made from sections of the Berlin Wall: Callaway offers very different kinds of discoveries. Conservation areas invite you to observe nature and enjoy other activities; in Fulton, museums, historic tours, and a festival let you choose your own focus. This way, you can shape your visit around landscapes, history, and culture according to your interests.
Lake, Grassland, and Stream Corridor
Little Dixie Lake Conservation Area in Callaway County includes a 205-acre lake and covers a total of 733 acres. Prairie Fork Conservation Area offers a different focus: The 911-acre area was donated in 1997 for education about natural resources, restoration of natural communities, and environmental research. Today, activities there include hiking, nature and bird watching, photography, and wildlife observation. The two areas combine nature experiences with different landscape and conservation themes.
At Reform Conservation Area, the landscape includes open grasslands, woodland and brush, and a very small portion of the Missouri River floodplain. Possible activities include hiking, nature observation, hunting, and fishing. The northern section also includes most of historic Coats' Prairie. Those interested in the history of the landscape will find a different perspective here than in an area whose character is shaped primarily by a lake or stream corridor.
Whetstone Creek Natural Area includes the section of the stream corridor that runs through the area. It was designated because of the high-quality stream and the state-endangered Black-nosed Shiner that lives there. The landscape of what is now Whetstone Creek Conservation Area in the past is a separate matter: Before settlement, the area consisted of tallgrass prairie, savanna, woodland, and forest. This historical context refers to the period before settlement, not to a description of current habitats.
History and Culture in Fulton
The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, has an unusual local history: It was relocated from the City of London to Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. Another historical landmark is Breakthrough, a monumental sculpture made from eight sections of the Berlin Wall. It is located outside America's National Churchill Museum. Architecture and sculpture thus offer two distinct perspectives on history, without requiring you to expect the same kind of exhibit from each.
Most exhibits at the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society Museum are organized by theme. These include agriculture, business and industry, communities and institutions, and well-known and notorious people. This thematic approach offers different ways to explore the area's history. Four historic tours have also been created in Fulton: Three focus on residential areas, and one on the Brick District. This lets you choose between different historical themes.
The Auto World Museum focuses on vintage and modern classic cars in their historical context. The facility covers 18,000 square feet; the collection ranges from a 1903 Humbrette to a 1997 UMC solar race car and includes more than 80 vehicles. Since exhibits can change, the collection does not guarantee that every vehicle will be on display at all times. For automotive and technology enthusiasts, the collection's broad time span offers a distinctive perspective on the development of vehicles.
Trail Rides and Seasonal Experiences
At Iron Wing Ranch, you can arrange your own guided trail ride through the rolling landscapes of Callaway County. Prairie Garden Trust has a clearly defined season: Visitors are welcome from April through October. First-time visitors are asked to give a day's notice; take this request into account when planning your visit.
The annual Morels & Microbrews festival takes place in May in Fulton's Brick District. It celebrates regional food, craft beer, and Missouri morels; the festival also features food vendors, drinks, and live entertainment. Since festival dates and programming can change, it is a good idea to check the latest details before your visit. This makes the festival a distinct cultural and culinary highlight to include in your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Fulton, Kingdom City, Holts Summit, Daviess, Phelps, Lafayette, Gasconade County, St. Francois County.
For the broader travel overview: Missouri.
