From The Archives

Historic Charm on the Mississippi, Clarksville, Missouri

Clarksville, Missouri is located just an hours drive north of St. Louis on the banks of the Mississippi River. This sleepy little early 19th Century river town that was in its heyday when steamboats ruled the Mississippi was awakened by the arrival of new settlers. In the 1980s Clarksville was discovered by artists and antique dealers as a place with much of its 19th Century charm intact. Its old storefronts became ideal places for art galleries, stores for resident craftsmen who produce the next generation’s antiques, and fine antique shops and restaurants.

Many of these artisans lived in the loft like spaces above their galleries and storefronts. As the town’s artist colony grew, it became a vacation destination with several fine B & B’s and restaurants to compliment the galleries and boutiques. In addition to the art and the antiques, the Mississippi draws boaters and kayakers. The birds of Clarksville Island draw the birdwatchers.
The eagles are attracted to the good fishing at the lock and dam on the north end of town.

The historic business district is proud of its location on the banks of the Mississippi. In the past twenty years during two major floods of the Mississippi River the historic business district was saved by the efforts of Clarksville citizens and thousands of volunteers who constructed sandbag levees.