Welcome to the Mastodon State Historic Site, a remarkable testament to the prehistoric past of Missouri. As you explore this area, you’re walking in the footsteps of ancient hunters and massive creatures that roamed these lands thousands of years ago. The site is most famous for its discovery of the Kimmswick Bone Bed, where evidence of the coexistence of humans and mastodons was first unearthed.
The saga of Mastodon State Historic Site began in the early 19th century when bones of mastodons, large prehistoric relatives of elephants, were discovered in the area. These findings sparked scientific curiosity and established the site as a significant paleontological landmark. Albert C. Koch, a self-proclaimed naturalist, made waves in 1839 when he stumbled upon large skeletal remains near Kimmswick, close to a limestone bluff. Initially misidentified as a new species he named ‘Leviathan Missouriensis’, it was later correctly classified as the American mastodon.
The site’s historical significance took a dramatic turn in 1979. Archaeologists uncovered a Clovis culture spear point directly associated with mastodon bones, providing the first solid evidence that humans and these giant creatures coexisted, hunted, and perhaps interacted in North America over 10,000 years ago.
Over the years, the site faced potential destruction due to urban development, especially with the construction of Interstate 55 in the 1970s. However, the local community rallied to save this invaluable piece of history, leading to its purchase by the state in 1976 and its subsequent addition to the Missouri state park system.
Today, the Mastodon State Historic Site offers a window into the past with a museum that showcases a full-size mastodon skeleton replica. Visitors can explore hiking trails, picnic areas, and the very grounds where these ancient stories unfolded. It’s a place where the past is palpably present, inviting you to ponder the rich tapestry of life that once thrived here.
