Bissell House Historical Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bissell House Historical Park is a 25-acre park located in the state of Missouri.


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Summary

The park is dedicated to preserving the history of the Bissell family, who were prominent in the area during the 19th century.

One of the main reasons to visit Bissell House Historical Park is to learn about the history of the area and the Bissell family. The park offers guided tours of the historic Bissell House, which was built in the 1850s and served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Visitors can also explore the park's other historic buildings, including a cabin, schoolhouse, and blacksmith shop.

Other points of interest at Bissell House Historical Park include the park's natural beauty. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds. Visitors can enjoy hiking and exploring the park's trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Interesting facts about Bissell House Historical Park include the park's association with the Underground Railroad. The Bissell House was a stop on the network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to escape to freedom in the North. The park also played an important role in the Civil War, serving as a training ground for Union soldiers.

The best time of year to visit Bissell House Historical Park is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park's natural beauty is at its peak. Visitors should also be sure to check the park's calendar of events, as the park hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including living history demonstrations, concerts, and festivals.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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