Visit Historic Kimmswick, MO

Kimmswick, MO is a charming historic town located in Jefferson County, MO, about 22 miles south of St. Louis. Theodore Kimms, a German dry goods merchant, founded Kimmswick in 1859. Kimms purchased about 160 acres of land and named it after himself.

The small town thrived in the beginning due to the easy access of railroads and river transportation. The small town was made up of a community of about 1500 people, many of whom were stonemasons. The stonemasons in Kimmswick cut the limestone from the quarries surrounding Kimmswick, which were used to build the Old Courthouse in St. Louis.

Kimmswick almost became a lost little town after the turn of the century. Due to the loss of train and boat traffic and the building of Hwy 55, Kimmswick was forgotten about and as a result, many of the historic buildings began to deteriorate and were torn down.

In 1969, the town was revived by the formation of the Kimmswick Historical Society who began to restore the little town, bringing it to life once again. Today, thousands visit the small town that sits along the banks of the Mississippi River every year due to its historic attractions. Old, original homes have been restored and turned into quaint antique shops, gift shops, Bed and Breakfasts, and restaurants.

The most well known restaurant in Kimmswick is the Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery. The Blue Owl produces and sells some of the best homemade bakery goods and desserts you'll ever taste, as well as serving wonderfully home cooked meals to well over 300 customers per day. The Blue Owl also puts out a cookbook, filled to the brim with recipes for all the favorite bakery goods they make and sell.

The gift shops and antique shops in Kimmswick are the perfect places to go whether you're looking for something in particular or just feel like browsing. Each one has its own sense of charm and solitude that will make everyone feel at home.

Kimmswick is also known for its annual festivals, which include the Strawberry Festival in June, the Civil War reenactment in August, the Apple Butter Festival in October, and the Candle Light Tour in December.

If you plan on visiting Kimmswick, be sure to plan your trip to fall between Tuesday and Sunday as all the businesses in Kimmswick are closed on Mondays so you would end up missing out on everything Kimmswick has to offer.