Missouri Mines State Historic Site

Missouri Mines State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Missouri Mines State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Missouri Mines State Historic Site
Location in Missouri
Map showing the location of Missouri Mines State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Missouri Mines State Historic Site
Missouri Mines State Historic Site (the United States)
LocationPark Hills, St. Francois County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates37°50′18″N 90°30′33″W / 37.83833°N 90.50917°W / 37.83833; -90.50917
Area64.59 acres (26.14 ha)[1]
Established1976[2]
Visitors19,819 (in 2022)[3]
OperatorMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteMissouri Mines State Historic Site

Missouri Mines State Historic Site occupies Federal Mill No. 3 in Park Hills, Missouri, United States, which processed the lead and zinc ore that was mined in the immediate area for many decades. The site's old power building features a geological and mining history museum and interpretive center focusing on the state's historic Old Lead Belt.[4]

The plant was built by the Federal Lead Co. in 1906-1907 and subsequently bought by competitor St. Joseph Lead Company in 1923. The mill was retired in 1972 as much of the ore in the area had been mined and major operations were moving west.[5] In 1975, the land was donated to the state of Missouri for recreational use. Much of the land was considered too damaged for return to a natural state and so became set aside for off-roading vehicles as St. Joe State Park, while the mill site was designated an interpretive center.[4][6]

  • Building and conveyor
    Building and conveyor
  • Mineral museum
    Mineral museum
  • Mining equipment on display
    Mining equipment on display
  • One of the large buildings next to the museum.
    One of the large buildings next to the museum.
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  3. ^ "Missouri State Park Attendance For January - December, 2022" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. February 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference modnr was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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