Newest National Park in Ste. Genevieve is Officially Established

(Ste. Genevieve) The newest national park has been formally established and it is located right here in southeast Missouri.

It’s called Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park.

Toby Carrig is the tourism director for the City of Ste. Genevieve.

He says the park service is now operating visitor operations out of the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center.

Carrig says the new national park will be available for guided tours more than just weekends, starting sometime next year.

Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park is a park in progress with limited services right now but in the coming months and years, much more will be added to the park.

Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Visitor Center is located at 99 South Main Street.

For additional information, call 573-880-7189.

Established by 1750, Ste. Genevieve was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri.

Early French/Canadian settlers were drawn to the area by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ or the Big Field.

After the flood of 1785, the town relocated to its current location on higher ground approximately three miles to the northwest of its original site.

The new national park focuses on the town’s Colonial history.