June 4, 2021
DANIEL BOONE HOME NAIONAL HISTORIC SITE
1868 Hwy F, Defiance, Missouri 63341
“The Daniel Boone Home is a historic site in Defiance, Missouri, United States. The house was built by Daniel Boone's youngest son Nathan Boone, who lived there with his family until they moved further south in 1837. The Boones had moved there from Kentucky in late 1799.” Wikipedia
About two miles from my next campground I saw a sign directing people to the Daniel Boone home. In the research I had done about things to check out in the St. Louis area I did not see anything about this site. I did a little internet search and decided to check it out on my free morning, and I’m so glad I did.
The home, built by Boone’s son Nathan, was one of many places Daniel Boone lived throughout his life, however, this is the house where he died on September 26, 1820. The house has been restored to demonstrate what it would have looked like in the 1800s, and is filled with period pieces of furniture, though the guide pointed out that there are no pieces that can be traced to the Boone family. The home was a typical Georgian style home of that period, but the woodwork was ornate and very detailed. Being the only visitor on the site at the time, I got a personal tour. The staff were knowledgeable and very friendly.
The site has also created, Booneville Village, using building found within 50 miles of the property. There are about a dozen different structures including a general store, schoolhouse, and grist mill. Only two of the buildings were open to walk into, however, I could see that others are used on special occasions and during school field trips.
The tour of the house had an admission of $8, but exploring the village could be done for free.
The Daniel Boone Home at Lindenwood Park
In the day, this would have been the front of the house.
The fireplace in the main parlor. The detail was exquisite. The portrait above the fireplace was the last one Boone sat for (in his 80s).
A desk from the 1800s.
The room where Daniel Boone died in 1820.
A table in the basement kitchen. The butter churn was found on the property, so it is assumed it belonged to the Boone family, but it has not been verified.
In Missouri Boone was appointed the equivalency of a judgeship. It is documented that he held "court" outside under trees. This is what is left of the Judgement Tree that stood next to the house. People tried to preserve the tree, but it eventually succumbed and fell.
The unique woodworking detail in one of the door jambs.
Nathan and Olive Boone's bedroom.
Nathan and Olive Boone's bedroom.
The dining table in the basement
The home of Squire Boone (Daniel's brother), built in 1802.
The Mount Hope School built in 1837 and remained in use until the 1940s.
The carpentry shop (1837).
Old Peace Church (mid-1800s)
Detached Kitchen (~1836)
Ingledew & Hays-Coshow House (ca 1830s).
Booneville Village
Grist Mill (1846)
Interior of the Grist Mill. Known as a Horizontal Walking Wheel Mill, it was powered by animals rather than running water. This may be the last standing mill of the type in the United States.