Washington State Park in Missouri Celebrates 75th Anniversary

First posted on 08-29-2008

Help Washington State Park near De Soto celebrate its 75th anniversary on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, this two-day event is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the park. The event is free and open to the public.

To kick off the event, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, State Rep. Belinda Harris will read a resolution to honor the park’s 75th anniversary and its history. This will also serve as a kick-off for a fundraising campaign to build a monument in the park to recognize the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, who developed the park in the 1930s.

An array of activities, entertainment and exhibiters will fill the rest of the weekend with fun for everyone. Crafters will demonstrate weaving, blacksmithing, stone masonry, flintknapping, rope making and wool spinning. Many other exhibits will be available, including government agencies, a rock climbing wall, nature and outdoor recreation-related exhibits and more. Tours will be given to the park’s petroglyphs (rock carvings) and the historic Murphy’s lead furnace. The St. Louis Audubon Society will offer bird hikes at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day. A variety of food vendors will also be available.

On both days, a free “Learn to Canoe” program will be held for those wanting to learn the basics of canoeing. It will include a three-mile float on the Big River and will last approximately four hours. The program is open to anyone 12 years of age and older; children 12 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and those 16 to 17 must have written permission from a parent or guardian. Participants should dress for the weather and bring along a waterproof lunch, water, a change of clothes, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent. Advance registration is required and may be made by calling the park at 636-586-0322. Participants should meet at the Thunderbird Lodge at 10 a.m.

Musical entertainers on Saturday will include Bennie Thibeaux singing old-time folk songs beginning at 10 a.m., followed by the Tindalls who will perform country music beginning at 1:30 p.m. At 2:30 p.m., Marvin Jackson will be singing ‘50s, ‘60s and country music, and Untamed will be playing rock and southern rock music starting at 4 p.m. On Sunday, Jamin Bray will fill the air with historic songs and storytelling beginning at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Singing Believers will perform gospel music beginning at 1 p.m.

The land for Washington State Park was donated to the state in 1932. Soon after, an African-American CCC company, Company 1743 (the Thunderbirds), arrived to develop the area with their exceptional craftsmanship in stone. They did extensive roadside work, laid stone for the 1,000 Steps Trail and worked on 14 buildings, including the octagonal lookout shelter. The park also boasts the largest group of petroglyphs, or Indian rock carvings, yet discovered in Missouri, and the CCC group incorporated the Indian theme with the thunderbird symbol in some of the buildings in the park.

Washington State Park is located eight miles south of De Soto on Highway 21 in Washington County. For more information, contact the park at 636-586-2995 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf.). For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at http://www.mostateparks.com.