Visit Southwest Missouri’s Hidden Gems

We searched every corner of Missouri for hidden gems and thanks to our Missouri Life Ambassadors, we found one in each county: 114 of them! Here we explore places in Southwest Missouri that are ideal for your next day trip.


Site of an Early Civil War Battle

The silence that surrounds you at this site belies what happened here during the Civil War. This is where one of the earliest engagements of the Civil War took place. Stand in the spot where the Union fired the final battle shots.


June 29, 1842

Jasper County's new courthouse was completed on this date at a total cost of $398.50, or about $11,000 in today's currency. (Note: the image shows a slightly later iteration of the Jasper County Courthouse.)


January 29, 1841

Several new counties were formed on this date including Adair, Andrew, Bates, Camden, Dade, Dallas, Grundy, Holt, Jasper, Osage, Ozark, Saint Clair, Scotland, Shannon, and Wright.