Visitors planning a stay in Hickory County and choosing between water, scenery and history will find several distinct themes here. Pomme de Terre Lake is the focus for water-based activities, while Quincy and Wheatland tell different historical stories. As you plan, it’s worth deciding first whether to focus on nature and water or on the historical stories of Quincy and Wheatland.
Landscape and Lake
Pomme de Terre State Park preserves open woodlands and savannas characteristic of the edge of the Great Plains. Pomme de Terre Lake is another focal point: in the early 1960s, the spring-fed Pomme de Terre River was transformed into a lake covering 7,800 acres. Mule Shoe Conservation Area is in eastern Hickory County.
Swimming, Boating and Fishing
Pomme de Terre State Park has two public swimming beaches on opposite sides of Pomme de Terre Lake. Beach access may be seasonal, so take this into account when planning. The park has four paved boat ramps for lake access. Watercraft rentals, daily and annual slip rentals, and fuel are available at the marina. Check the current availability of these services before making plans.
Fishing is also a special draw: Pomme de Terre Lake is the only lake in Missouri that offers fishing for true muskellunge. There are also eleven campgrounds at the lake. The state park offers interpretive programs during the summer months. If you plan to visit the beach or attend a program, check access and schedules in advance.
History in Quincy
Since its completion in 1917, Quincy Public Hall has been the center of the social, religious, educational and civic life of the hamlet of Quincy and the surrounding township. The Butterfield Stage Line also passed through Quincy in the 1850s. These details point to different aspects of local history: the role of a community building and a historic stagecoach route.
The Hickory County Museum is housed in the John Siddles Williams House. The house has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. The building’s listing and its use as a museum site are two distinct details about the same place.
Historical Impressions in Wheatland
Wheatland Missouri Settler’s Village is a recreation of what a community in the Ozarks might have looked like in the 19th century. Donated buildings from Hickory, Camden, Polk and Benton Counties were used to create the village. Historic cabin tours offer a glimpse of the 1850s. As schedules and access arrangements may change, check before your visit. Visitors can explore the village at their own pace.
One stop in the village tells the story of the Butterfield Overland Mail: the Butterfield Overland Mail Relay Station was built based on an old photograph of a station along the route. The Butterfield Overland Mail ran as a stagecoach and mail route from Tipton through Wheatland to San Francisco; it operated from 1859 to 1861.
The village offers hands-on crafts and activities for children throughout the year; individual offerings may vary. A 2024 article describes the Wheatland Harvest Festival as an annual fall event featuring food stalls, artists, arts and crafts, and live entertainment. If you’d like to plan your trip around it, check the current dates and program.
Different interests shape the trip planning: activities on the water and the landscape around the state park, or the historical stories of Quincy and Wheatland. Seasonal beach access, summer programs, tour schedules and the festival offer specific reasons to tailor your visit to the experiences you’re looking for.
Discover more destinations: Hermitage, Webster County, St Louis, Monroe County, Scott County, Osage County, Buchanan County, Cole County
For the broader travel overview: Missouri.
