Boonville, MO Summary

Located on the Missouri River, about 20 miles west of Columbia, Boonville (population 7,100) began as a distribution center for westward migrants.

The town has buildings from the early and mid-1800s, including one of the oldest surviving theaters west of the Mississippi, and the Kemper Military School. Thespian Hall (built in 1855) hosts spring and fall concerts. The Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce can arrange tours of the historic districts, while the Friends of Historic Boonville office can supply maps for self-guided tours.

Ten miles north of town on State Route 87 is Boone’s Lick State Historic Site. Daniel Boone’s sons produced salt from its two salt springs (“licks”) in the early 1800s. Its picnic facilities are now open daily, year-round.

Columbia Regional Airport services the area. Boonville can also be reached by bus.