New Madrid County combines Mississippi history with natural areas along the river and in the floodplain forest. The New Madrid Historical Museum presents a broad historical sweep; parks and conservation areas differ in their cypress swamps, forested areas, riverbanks, and wildlife habitats. The county’s story thus ranges from specific events and historic routes to designated landscapes.

History on the Mississippi

At the New Madrid Historical Museum, the river town’s history spans from the Mississippi culture to the early 20th century. Its collections document the great earthquakes of 1811 and 1812; the museum also features an exhibit on the Battle of Island No. 10 during the Civil War. The battle was a decisive Union victory. The museum thus brings together a long period of cultural history, the two years of earthquakes, and a specific Civil War battle.

New Madrid was the southern terminus of El Camino Real, also known as the King’s Highway. Another historic connection follows the water route of the Trail of Tears: Many Cherokee who traveled it beginning in 1838 passed through New Madrid Bend. The two routes represent different historical connections—New Madrid is identified as the southern terminus of El Camino Real, while the Trail of Tears route passed through the Bend.

Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site preserves a Bootheel mansion with many original furnishings acquired by its first owner. Unlike the museum, with its broad historical sweep, the focus here is on a single house and its furnishings. The Lilbourn Fortified Village Archeological Site is a prehistoric site in Lilbourn in New Madrid County. It adds an archaeological perspective to the historical themes.

Swamps, Forests, and River Landscapes

Big Oak Tree State Park is home to the only cypress swamp in the Missouri state park system. The park also includes an 80-acre tract of bottomland hardwood forest designated a National Natural Landmark. The swamp and the floodplain forest represent two distinct landscape features within the same park; the National Natural Landmark designation applies to the forested area.

Donaldson Point Conservation Area covers 5,945 acres at the northern end of Donaldson Point, which is formed by the Mississippi River’s New Madrid Bend Loop. The area provides habitat for Swainson’s warblers, Mississippi kites, bald eagles, interior least terns, swamp rabbits, and cotton mice. Swainson’s warbler is considered endangered and nests in giant cane.

John L. and Georgia Girvin Conservation Area is a 747-acre forested natural area located partly in New Madrid and Pemiscot Counties. It has about three miles of Mississippi River shoreline. While Donaldson Point stands out primarily for its much larger area and the specifically named wildlife species, Girvin combines a forested character with an approximate shoreline length.

The Mississippi River Observation Deck offers another perspective: Its panoramic view extends across eight panoramic miles of the Mississippi River and includes New Madrid Bend. The Bend was strategically important during the Civil War. New Madrid Bend thus features both as a passage on the historic water route and as part of the panoramic view.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Marston, Howell County, Cole County, Scott County, Atchison, Marion County, Johnson County, Gasconade County

For the overview of the wider region: Missouri.