Jefferson Landing State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jefferson Landing State Historic Site |
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![]() The Lohman Building
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Location | Jefferson City, Cole, Missouri, United States |
Area | 1.27 acres (0.51 ha) |
Elevation | 535 ft (163 m) |
Established | 1976 |
Governing body | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
Website | Jefferson Landing State Historic Site |
Jefferson Landing State Historic Site is a special place in Jefferson City, Missouri. It's like a small neighborhood with old buildings that tell stories about the past. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources takes care of this historic area. It includes the Christopher Maus House, the Union Hotel, and the famous Lohman's Landing Building. This building is so important it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
History of Jefferson Landing
The Lohman Building is made of stone. It was built in 1839 by a man named James Crump. Over the years, this building was used for many things. It was a grocery store, a place to store goods, and even a telegraph office. It also served as a tavern and a hotel.
People often called the building "the landing." It was a popular spot where important people met. Lawmakers and business owners would gather there. Later, Crump's business partner, Charles Lohman, bought all parts of the building. That's how it became known as Lohman's Landing.
In 1855, Charles Maus built a hotel right across the street. His brother, Christopher Maus, built a small, red brick home nearby. The hotel changed its name a few times. It was called the Missouri Hotel and then the Veranda Hotel. After the Civil War, it finally became the Union Hotel.
Over time, the Lohman and Union Hotel buildings were used for storage. They also became places where people lived in small apartments. At one point, a shoe factory even operated there. In 1976, the state of Missouri bought these buildings. They were carefully fixed up. This restoration was Missouri's way of celebrating the nation's 200th birthday.
What to See and Do
When you visit the Lohman Building, you can see exhibits. These exhibits show what a general store and warehouse looked like in the 1850s. It's like stepping back in time!
The Union Hotel building has a special art gallery. It's called the Elizabeth Rozier Gallery. Here, you can see exhibits about Missouri's history, art, and culture. The ground floor of this old hotel is also home to the city's Amtrak train station. So, you can arrive by train right at this historic spot!