About Kimmswick
Kimmswick offers a chance to step back into the less hurried days of the 1800s. As you stroll through the picturesque town, you will discover our unique shops have a number of goods and services. You will also enjoy our restaurants’ friendly and welcoming atmospheres, where you can savor delicious dishes and desserts.
A Historic and Charming River Town
Kimmswick is a vibrant town that keeps growing and adding new shops to its more than 25 existing ones. If you would like the brochure for the town, download it here. Many shops are located in historic buildings that date back to 1859 when the town was founded. They have been lovingly restored and preserved by their owners and the community.
Kimmswick also hosts several events yearly that celebrate its heritage and culture. The Strawberry Festival in June and the Apple Butter Festival in October are two of the most popular, featuring crafts, food, and demonstrations of traditional cooking methods by the Kimmswick Historical Society. Whether looking for a relaxing getaway or a fun-filled adventure, Kimmswick has something for everyone. Come and visit the quaint and historic river town today!
For the latest information on all the events and activities in Kimmswick, visit goKimmswick.com regularly. It is your best source for planning your Kimmswick trip!
History of Kimmswick
In 1850, Theodore Kimm, a St. Louis merchant, bought a lot of land near the Mississippi River in Jefferson County, Missouri. This place has a rich history. People have lived here since the last Ice Age, more than 12,000 years ago. Indians of the Clovis Culture hunted big animals here. They also used salt and mineral springs in the swampy land. Later Indians and white settlers did the same.
The area took a lot of work to reach in the past. People used the river or inland paths that the Indians, French, and Spanish had made. The French called the route “Rue Royale,” and the Spanish called it “El Camino Real.” It means “The King’s Road,” and was close to where Kimmswick would be. People used oxcarts and wagons to carry goods on this trail.
The area was first under French control. Then it went to Spain after France lost a war. Spain gave it back to France in 1800, but France sold it to the United States in 1803. One of the first settlers here was Captain George Washington Waters from Massachusetts. He was a soldier and a surveyor. He bought a lot of land for twenty dollars. His family purchased some land from Theodore Kimm on October 4, 1850.
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Theodore Kimm started the town of Kimmswick in 1859. He came from Brunswick, Germany. He named the town after himself and his hometown. He made a town map with blocks, lots, and alleys. He sold lots and houses to people who wanted to live and work here. The town had a mill, a brewery, a brickyard, a copper shop, a wagon maker, a blacksmith shop, and stores by 1867. Theodore Kimm retired in 1872. He sold the rest of his lots and his house at an auction. He gave some land to the town for a market, a park, a school, and a cemetery. He also kept a spot for his family cemetery in the park.
The Kimms went to Europe after selling their land. Mrs. Kimm passed away in St. Louis in 1876 and was buried with their son in the park. Mr. Kimm continued to travel and died in Switzerland in 1886.
Many visitors came to Kimmswick in the late 1800s by steamboat and train. They enjoyed Montesano Springs Park, a large amusement park with mineral springs and attractions. The park was open from 1880 to 1918. Some showboats also visited the town and entertained the people with names like “The Cotton Blossom” and “Golden Rod.” The last showboat arrived in 1933.
Kimmswick became a town in 1871, and Gustave Raushenbach built a big brick hotel on Front Street in 1872. The town’s leaders met in the hotel or the school. They dealt with the problems of a growing village. They built a city hall in 1903. Some people joined the Woodmen of America, an insurance group. They built Woodmen Hall for social events. Some people formed a band that played music for fun and dancing. Some people played ball games with other towns.
Cars and highways made Kimmswick different. The business went away. The riverboats and trains stopped visiting. The town was almost ignored. However, Lucianna Gladney Ross wanted to save the old buildings of Kimmswick. She started a restoration project in 1970. She fixed some old homes and moved some old log buildings in as well.
Kimmswick is a busy and lively town today. It has a historical society, restaurants, shops, and a visitor center. It has events all year long. The Strawberry Festival is in June. The Apple Butter Festival is in October. It shows crafts and how to make apple butter. Visitors enjoy the small old river town.
Kimmswick Historical Society
Kimmswick Historical Society
6000 Third Street, Kimmswick, MO, United States, Missouri
636-464-8687
List of Still-Standing Original Structures
- Winery c. 1859
- Barbagallo House c. 1850
- Gerard-Kratochwil House c. 1909
- The Old House c. 1770
- Dougherty House c. 1896
- Kimmswick Post Office c. 1914
- Bakery c. 1880
- Barber Shop c. 1900
- Rauschenbach Building c. 1884
- The Market c. 1877
- Windsor Harbor Road Bridge c. 1874
- Gerard-Grimshaw c. 1895
- Tavern c. 1900
- Ziegler-Escoffier Building c. 1940
- Ziegler House c. 1879
- Old Ziegler Store c. 1913
- Little Ziegler House c. 1918
- Wagner House c. 1880
- Yellow House c. 1872
- Naumann-Wittu Building c. 1890
- Schad-Caldwell House c. 1865
- Ruess-Terry House c. 1866
- Maul House c. 1872
- Vaughn-Nies House c. 1866
- Meyer Building c. 1875
- Wenom-Drake House c. 1877
- Hermann – O’Heam House c. 1859
- Blacksmith Shop c. 1847
- Kimm Family Cemetery c. 1872
- Former Black School House c. 1899
- Arnold House c. 1865
- City Hall c. 1903
- Burgess-How House & Museum c. 1840s
- Candy Shop c. 1876
- Kirk House c. 1888
Strawberry Festival
The Strawberry Festival is held each year on the first weekend in June. This year the dates are June 3rd & 4th, 2023. Hours are from 10 am – 5 pm each day. The Strawberry Festival is expected to draw at least 40,000 visitors and showcase 125 food and craft vendors.
All Kimmswick businesses and restaurants will remain open, but vehicle traffic will not be allowed in town between 8 am – 5 pm. Parking will be at Windsor Intermediate and High School campus on Highway 61/67 for a small fee. Bus Shuttles will run throughout the day to bring you back and forth. Accessible parking spaces at the Windsor Elementary School in Kimmswick are minimal. There is also parking at the two fields on each side of Hwy K which allow visitors to walk in from there—weather permitting, of course.
Please remember that this festival requires a lot of walking on uneven grass and asphalt surfaces.
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The Strawberry Festival is bursting with fresh strawberries, shortcakes, chocolate-covered strawberries, cheesecake, and iced tea. Enjoy your favorite festival foods, like kettle corn, shish kebobs, funnel cakes, onion blossoms, BBQ, hamburgers and hotdogs, roasted corn on the cob, and many others.
The City of Kimmswick Information Booth will be there as well; if you have any questions, those folks will help you. The Famous Kimmswick Strawberry Jam, “the only original jam,” will also be sold. We have a limited supply, and this tasty jam always sells quickly, so stop by and purchase some.
There will be craft booths, home and garden vendors, a children’s petting zoo, bounce houses, and pony rides for kids. Booth space is still available, and we are looking for sponsors to help Kimmswick showcase its community spirit at Strawberry Festival.
Call 636-464-7407 or go to www.cityofkimmswick.org for an application or more information.
Apple Butter Festival
Join us for the Apple Butter Festival Kimmswick on October 28-29, 2023, from 10 am – 5 pm. It is our biggest event of the year, with over 100,000 visitors. Enjoy food, drinks, crafts, and live music in our small town. Watch how we make apple butter in a wood-fired kettle and buy some to take home!
The festival is only open to pedestrians. Park at Windsor School and take a bus to town, or park near Highway K and walk a short distance. We have a train, a zoo, and pony rides for kids. Come and have fun with us! Call 636-464-7407 or go to www.cityofkimmswick.org for an application or more information.