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Van Meter State Park

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Coordinates: 39°15′53″N 93°16′05″W / 39.26472°N 93.26806°W / 39.26472; -93.26806
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Van Meter State Park
Missouri tribe fort at the park
Map showing the location of Van Meter State Park
Map showing the location of Van Meter State Park
Location in Missouri
Map showing the location of Van Meter State Park
Map showing the location of Van Meter State Park
Van Meter State Park (the United States)
LocationSaline County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates39°15′53″N 93°16′05″W / 39.26472°N 93.26806°W / 39.26472; -93.26806[1]
Area1,104.63 acres (4.4703 km2)[2]
Elevation663 ft (202 m)[1]
Established1932[3]
Visitors38,528 (in 2022)[4]
Governing bodyMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteVan Meter State Park
Van Meter State Park Combination Building
Nearest cityMarshall, Missouri
AreaLess than one acre
Built1935 (1935)
Built byCivilian Conservation Corps; National Park Service
MPSECW Architecture in Missouri State Parks 1933-1942 TR
NRHP reference No.85000537
Added to NRHPFebruary 27, 1985
Van Meter State Park Shelter Building
Nearest cityMarshall, Missouri
AreaLess than one acre
Built1935 (1935)
Built byCivilian Conservation Corps; National Park Service
MPSECW Architecture in Missouri State Parks 1933-1942 TR
NRHP reference No.85000538
Added to NRHPFebruary 28, 1985

Van Meter State Park is a public recreation area on the Missouri River in Saline County, Missouri. The state park consists of 1,105 acres (447 ha) of hills, ravines, fresh water marsh, fens, and bottomland and upland forests in an area known as "the Pinnacles." The park has several archaeological sites, a cultural center, and facilities for camping, hiking, and fishing. It is managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.[5]

History

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The park and surrounding lands were once the home of the Native American tribe known to French settlers as “Oumessourit,” or Missouri Indians. Signs of the land's first occupants include the remnants of a Native American village, known as the Utz Site,[6] a sizeable earthworks named Old Fort,[7] and a mound field. Utz Site and Old Fort are included in the National Register of Historic Places.[8][9]

The park originated when Annie Vanmeter deeded 369 acres to the state in 1932.[10] The Civilian Conservation Corps was active in the park from 1934 to 1935. The large shelter house and the small shelter house in the Walnut Grove that survive from that era have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.[11][12][13]

Activities and amenities

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The area's native history is interpreted in the park's cultural center through exhibits and murals.[14] Park recreational activities include camping, hiking, and fishing on an 18-acre (7.3 ha) lake.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Van Meter State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "Van Meter State Park: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  3. ^ "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  4. ^ "Missouri State Park Attendance For January - December, 2022" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. February 3, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Van Meter State Park". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  6. ^ "Description of Uzt site and finds". December 18, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  7. ^ "Old Fort - Van Meter State Park". Waymarking. Groundspeak, Inc. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  8. ^ "Utz Site". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  9. ^ "Old Fort". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  10. ^ "Van Meter State Park: General Information". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  11. ^ "ECW Architecture in Missouri State Parks 1933-1942 Thematic Resources" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  12. ^ "Van Meter State Park Combination Building". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  13. ^ "Van Meter State Park Shelter Building". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  14. ^ "Missouri's American Indian Cultural Center". Missouri State Parks. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
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