Summer at Watkins Mill

A dip in the water and rediscovery of Watkins Woolen Mill State Park & State Historic Site

It was a good day to go to the beach, with temperatures reaching the low 30s C, near Kansas City. A light breeze kept you from getting too hot and the air, still a bit humid. I had been out to Watkins Woolen Mill Woolen State Park a few weeks earlier, and already knew the lake was relatively clear and cool; at least, as much as they can be in this part of the country. The usual place to kayak was still a bit off limits. There had been reports of blue-green algae a few weeks prior, and several other times this summer. Calling the State Park, they indicated that they had not had any issues at Watkins Mill this year. The choice obvious, we embarked for an afternoon on kayaks and lounging on the beach.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that the beach was not crowded. Several folks lingered near the back in the shade; otherwise, everyone was in the water. It felt much better to be in it, than on it. I watched one little girl run screaming from the safety of the shade all the way to the water, hijacking abandoned beach towels all along the way.

The water was a bit warmer than on my last visit, but still refreshing. Rolling over into the water was exactly what you wanted to do, but it seems the beach is not really a good place to put in. The logistics of moving the kayaks from vehicle to the edge of the water is not the issue. It is the length of the journey. A couple of hundred yards downhill, and what goes down, must come up.

Other parts of the lake are much more favorable to taking a boat into the water. There is one boat ramp, and a fishing dock area near the dam. If one was adventurous enough, they could put in at the creek that feeds the lake. There are logistical concerns there too, if alone.

I rediscovered this spot only a few years ago, while out riding one afternoon, and have returned several times since. One trip involved visiting the museum, and a few more involved a bit of hiking and general scouting around. A paved bicycle path, campgrounds and picnic areas encircle the 100-acre lake, which is just the right size for a small fishing boat. The fishing is good there, although it has been a long time since I have been for that reason. On my last visit though, we helped a person with his boat, while showing off the 5-lb blue catfish he picked up out there.

The lake and park are adjacent to the Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site. Built by Walrus Watkins in 1859, and originally known as the Bethany Plantation, it was one of the first planned communities in North America. On the original 1200 acres site, Waltus built housing for the mill workers. A self-sufficient community, it produced yarn and wool cloth for national distribution. Additionally, the farm raised cattle, horses, mules, pigs, poultry, various crops, and hosted extensive orchards. When the founder died in 1884, production at the mill declined until the turn of the next century.

The original 1850 home of the family stands on the site, along with the mill and several other utilitarian buildings, and the Franklin School. The latter, an octagonal schoolhouse built for the family and their employees, out of locally manufactured brick. The museum preserved nearly all of the machinery, including a 65-horsepower steam engine that once powered the factory. The property became a Missouri State Park in 1964 and two years later, a National Historic Landmark, and named a National Mechanical Engineering Historic Landmark in 1980.

Watkins Mill State Park & State Historic Site is the perfect little day trip out of Kansas City, providing an opportunity for a full and complete day in the park. Visit the museum and hike to the buildings and beyond in the morning, have a little picnic, then go throw yourself in the lake for the afternoon, and relax with a little evening fishing.

Missouri State Parks Map of Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site

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Further Reading

Watkins Mill State Park - Missouri State Parks