Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site is a three-story textile factory building from the 1800s containing original machinery and production equipment housed in separate work areas. The surrounding park features a 100-acre lake, hiking trails, camping facilities, and preserved residential buildings from the mill era.

Waltus Watkins established this manufacturing complex in 1860 as one of the first intentionally planned industrial communities in North America. The operation remained under family control and shaped the surrounding region for decades.

The mill reflects how a single family shaped an entire working community and the daily routines of textile workers during the industrial era. Visitors can observe the spaces where people spent their days and understand their labor through the physical layout.

The site works well for camping, fishing, and day visits with varied hiking options throughout the grounds. Plan to spend several hours exploring the mill building and the historic structures scattered across the property.

This mill retains its entire original machinery collection intact, making it the only fully preserved 19th-century textile factory of its kind in the country. Visitors can see the exact arrangement of looms, spinning wheels, and equipment as it stood over 150 years ago.

Location: Missouri

Inception: 1964

Website: https://mostateparks.com/park/watkins-mill-state-park

GPS coordinates: 39.40110,-94.26030

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41