Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site

Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site The OFFICIAL page for Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid, Mo. of Natural Resources for the benefit of all Missourians.

The state park system is composed of 92 parks and historic sites managed by the Dept. This forum is for speech related to Missouri State Parks. The views, opinions and positions expressed by users providing comments on this page are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of Missouri State Parks or any employee thereof.

08/29/2026

Mad-rid or Ma-drid? We often get questions about why New Madrid is pronounced Mad-rid.

We recently found an interesting article about Colonel George Morgan and the founding of New Madrid with a possible reference to why we say Madrid as we do.

Colonel George Morgan was a colonel in the Continental Army, merchant, and land speculator. In 1788 he was given permission and a land grant by Spain to form a new colony on the western bank of the Mississippi River. This area, formerly controlled by France, was named New Madrid by Morgan.

Prominent leaders in the newly formed United States feared that Morgan’s new colony might draw Americans away and possibly lead to the American Union being dissolved.

General Josiah Harmar was quoted as saying “The people are all taken up with Colonel Morgan’s New Madrid. They are in my opinion Mad-rid indeed.”

Is that how the pronunciation of New Madrid came about? Or did we already pronounce it that way? Any other ideas?

We have a new interpretive panel!The panel is located in our parking lot next to our kiosk. If visitors don’t have time ...
08/28/2026

We have a new interpretive panel!

The panel is located in our parking lot next to our kiosk. If visitors don’t have time for a tour they can still learn about our site!

It’s back to school time!Things have changed quite a bit for students, do you remember when kids used books instead of c...
08/26/2026

It’s back to school time!

Things have changed quite a bit for students, do you remember when kids used books instead of computers? Vicki and Matt do, but they both went to school in the 1900s!😁

We have a few school books that belonged to William Dawson Jr (Bud) and his sister Lillian. History and English are still taught today, but we’re not sure about Latin!

Maybe we need to go back to school!😁

08/25/2026

Let’s go behind the scenes with Matt!

In this short video, Matt will show you some interesting features of the empire secretary!

Watch and enjoy!

08/21/2026

Let’s go behind the scenes with Vicki!

In this short video, Vicki will show you some interesting features of the ladies workstation! Enjoy!

We’ve gone down the rabbit hole!We found this receipt of William Hunter’s from 1833, the first year he was in New Madrid...
08/20/2026

We’ve gone down the rabbit hole!

We found this receipt of William Hunter’s from 1833, the first year he was in New Madrid. We were having a hard time reading and making sense of this receipt, and then our focus went to the steamboat carrying the goods. This steamboat, the Constitution, was in the port of New Orleans and bound for New Madrid.

The Constitution was built in Cincinnati in 1829. Although it serviced ports up and down the Mississippi river it primarily serviced ports in the Republic of Texas. By June 1840 the Constitution, a steam powered sidewheeler, was stranded at Matagorda, Texas and taken out of service.

This is why we love looking at old receipts, there’s always a story to find!

Calling all schools and youth-focused nonprofits! The 2026-2027 bus grant program is open!
08/20/2026

Calling all schools and youth-focused nonprofits! The 2026-2027 bus grant program is open!

Happy birthday William Washington Hunter!William was born on August 18, 1806 in Augusta County, VA and died April 1, 185...
08/18/2026

Happy birthday William Washington Hunter!

William was born on August 18, 1806 in Augusta County, VA and died April 1, 1859.

He and his wife Amanda had 9 children, the last child, Louis, born 4 months after William passed away.

Instead of telling you again about his business dealings, of which there were many, and how respected he was, we’re going to let his family tell you how loved he was.

On William’s headstone in the Hunter-Dawson cemetery in New Madrid, the inscription reads:

“For the last 24 yrs. A resident of this county.
As a citizen none excelled him
He was a loveing and devoted husband
A kind and indulgent father.”

Happy Birthday William!

08/18/2026

Let’s get an inside look at Hunter-Dawson!

In this short video, Matt will talk about the pocket doors. You’ve seen the doors, but have you ever seen the pocket?? It’s pretty interesting!

Today we have more of Amanda’s receipts!We’ve had fun pondering this receipt. In August 1859, Amanda purchased 1 keg (10...
08/15/2026

Today we have more of Amanda’s receipts!

We’ve had fun pondering this receipt. In August 1859, Amanda purchased 1 keg (10 gallons) of Belcher’s Syrup. Belcher’s Syrup was similar to corn syrup and produced by Belcher & Brothers, a massive industrial sugar and syrup refinery in St Louis.

The part we’re pondering is…what was she doing with that much syrup? 10 gallons is equal to 80 16-oz bottles of corn syrup. Was she baking that many pies? How long was this supposed to last?

Help us out in the comments! We want to know what you think!

Address

312 Dawson Rd
New Madrid, MO
63869

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+15737485340

Website

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