Scott County

Variety, that's what you'll find in Scott County! Beautiful scenery, turn of the century churches, historic places and friendly people.

Rolling hills of farm land dotted with patches of woods and farm houses in the north give way to wide, flat vistas of fields and pastures in the south, creating a patchwork quilt of color that is pleasing to the eye in every season. Scott County boasts cotton farms, orchards, watermelon farms, a potato farm and one of the few wine vineyards in Southeast Missouri.

River Ridge Winery is situated in a century-old farm house nestled in the hills where Crowley's Ridge join the Mississippi River near Commerce. In Commerce, you can walk to the river's edge and watch the tow boats as they move their barges of goods from St. Louis to New Orleans and all points in between. While you're there, visit the Becka Hunt Home, recently placed on the National Register. The Anderson House, also in Commerce, offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the charms of this historic town first settled in 1790.

Among the first settlers of the County were German farmers. The town of New Hamburg reflects this heritage. Here you can visit the beautiful St. Lawrence Catholic Church, built in 1848, and get a cold drink at Schindler's Tavern, known for hospitality since 1856.

If you are interested in tracing family roots, there are cemeteries in the County that date from the 1700's. Don't miss the churches! St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso was built in 1878. Guardian Angel Catholic Church of Oran, built in 1917, is also worth a visit. One of the oldest clapboard church houses in the county is the Methodist Church in Commerce, built circa 1860.

If you enjoy art, visit the gallery and art school of nationally known artist, Cleda Curtis. It's open daily in Oran.

Looking for fun and entertainment? Come to Scott County! See local drivers compete at the Missouri International Race Park near Benton each weekend from April through September. Sikeston offers golfing on two fine courses or check out the Kow Pasture Klassic in New Hamburg each spring. How far can you "putt" a cow patty? For excitement, come to the three-day Kelso Classic Tournament of men's fast-pitch softball. Held the second full weekend in June each year, this event draws teams from a six-state area, coming from as far away as Tulsa, Oklahoma. Book your room early!

Go "western" at the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo held every August in Sikeston! This PRCA sanctioned rodeo is the largest in the state and hosts nationally known country-western music entertainment each night of the rodeo. Enjoy the region's finest Barbecue at the Redneck Bar-B-Q Cook-off while participating in family activities and entertainment throughout the day on Rodeo Saturday. Meanwhile, find great buys on traditional western wear, as well as men's, women's and children's apparel, in the many shopping districts of the Sikeston/Miner area. Be sure to visit the Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores!

While in Sikeston, travel the "King's Highway" or El Camino Real. Nearly 200 years old, the El Camino real was a major land route connecting New Orleans to St. Louis. In 1915, a historic marker was erected marking this famous trail.

Each fall, come and enjoy Diebold's Orchard's Octoberfest in Benton. learn how delicious apple cider is made while sampling homemade apple butter. Crafts, music and tours of their orchard provide a variety of activities for the whole family.

If you enjoy eating, be sure to visit Lambert's Home of the "Throwed Roll". In addition to this home-style cooking, the restaurants of Sikeston/Miner area offer Oriental, Italian, Mexican and American style cuisine.

Summerfest, Kelsofest, Cotton Carnival, Oran's Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration, Miner Baptist Church's Passion Play, Sikeston's Living Christmas Tree-the list of events keeps growing! Someplace to go and something to see just about any day you visit Scott County. For additional information contact (573) 471-2498.

In the northeast corner of Scott County, is the railroad town of Scott City, MO., The Main Street runs for five miles from the "Welcome to Scott City" Chamber of Commerce sign to the Riverhouse Restaurant, and the spectacular views of the river, the railroad bridge, and the beauty of the landscape of a peaceful small town.  Second Street East has a unique boutique.  The food choices range from All-American hamburgers, Mexican cuisine, coffee shop, Berghoff's to the Riverhouse.  The historic sites include a historical museum, 150-year-old churches, a war Memorial in the pristine City Park, state-of-the art ball fields, and the historic monument to the 1845 Lt. Governor Wilson Brown of Scott County, and then the natural beauty scene from a table on the wrap-around veranda of the Riverhouse restaurant. Summer-Summerfest; Fall-Railroad Heritage Day.