Boone's Lick State Historic Site

Boone's Lick State Historic Site is a protected area in Howard County preserving remains of early salt production facilities from the 1800s. The location features wooden structures along Salt Creek and a large cast iron kettle that demonstrates how settlers processed salt from natural mineral springs.

Nathan and Daniel Morgan Boone, sons of frontiersman Daniel Boone, established a salt production operation at natural springs in 1806. The facility became an important economic center that encouraged further settlement and development in the region.

The site represents an important place in early Missouri settlement, where people learned to extract salt from natural springs using industrial methods. This knowledge and production became central to the region's economic growth during the frontier period.

The 52-acre site offers hiking trails that lead through the landscape where production once occurred, with outdoor displays explaining frontier-era salt extraction methods. The paths are accessible to visitors interested in walking at a moderate pace and learning about historical techniques.

Three natural salt springs converge to form Salt Creek, where mineral deposits continuously accumulate in the water and soil. This steady mineral source made the location valuable for both wildlife and early industrial salt production.