Basics
- Length:
- 30 miles (48 km)
- Time:
- Allow 1 hour to drive straight through; but plan for 6 hours to enjoy the features of this area.
Description
Discover accents of the South on the Little Dixie Highway of the Great River Road, where Victorian Era streetscapes and plantation era mansions give the area a unique southern flair. This touch of the South has earned the region its nickname, "Little Dixie." Here you cannot help but remember the far-reaching effects of slavery, the Civil War, and our nation's reconstruction.
The Byway stretches out alongside the Mississippi River, which also played an enormous role in the shaping of this land and its cultures. Drive the Highway and from its limestone bluffs see stunning views of the mighty Mississippi. Get close to the river at access points in Clarksville and Louisiana. The Byway is part of the Great River Road, a highway that runs alongside the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico to the northern woods of Minnesota.
Want to watch eagles ride thermals above the warm fields, or waterfowl dip their beaks into the shallows of the Mississippi River? The Byway is on the Mississippi Flyway, where approximately 40% of all North American waterfowl fly past or stop for a rest in their annual migrations. Visit Clarksville during its annual Eagle Days and Masters of the Sky festivals, and celebrate "the eagle viewing capital of the United States" on this, the Little Dixie Highway of the Great River Road.
Tourism Resources
Helpful Links
Tourism Resources
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Clarksville (MO)
Clarksville is a quaint small town along the Byway.
Directions
Missouri Route 79
Clarksville Eagle Center (MO)
Visitors to the Clarksville Eagle Center, which is operated by the World Bird Sanctuary, can prepare for the eagle-viewing opportunities that await them along the Byway north of Clarksville. The center educates visitors about the ecological role of raptors through various exhibits and programs.
Directions
Near the town of Clarksville
Clarksville Historic District (MO)
The extensive restoration work that has been performed on thebuildings in this historic district represents a remarkableachievement for a town of this size (less than 500 residents). Theresult is a truly incomparable riverfront commercial district inwhich historical accuracy is given priority, not only in the detailwork found on the buildings' exteriors, but also in the businessesthat inhabit them. A variety of craftsmen and artisans work out ofthese Victorian-era building using methods that have stood the testof time. A walking tour guides visitors through the district.
Clarksville Riverfront Park (MO)
From this park visitors can look west and see the ClarksvilleHistoric District. Looking east visitors find themselves on thebank of the Mississippi River. Lock and Dam #24 is visible fromhere, and visitors can enjoy the surroundings while strolling alongthe riverfront trail or picnicking beneath the large shade treesthat line the park.
Directions
The town of Clarksville
DuPont Conservation Area (MO)
The hills here once housed the DuPont explosives factory. Although some of the ruins remain, the factory is long gone and nature has taken over. The 1,320 acres in this area offer opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, and birdwatching. Vegetation includes upland hardwood forest, bottomland hardwood forest, wetlands, and crop land. The overlooks in this area offer particularly spectacular panoramic vistas of the river.
Directions
Missouri Route 79
Georgia Street Historic District (MO)
This Italianate-styled central business district in the city of Louisiana features 61 structures built between 1850 and circa 1935, including the Louisiana Public Library, a Carnegie library.
Henderson Park (MO)
Named after John Henderson, a Louisiana native who served as US Senator and helped draft the 13th Amendment, the Emancipation Proclamation. The park offers a scenic view of the river.
Directions
Missouri Route 79
Hercules-Dyno/Buffalo Slough (MO)
Hercules-Dyno, a local manufacturer, has donated land and funds to develop an interpretive trail to this site on the river. The proximity to bicycle lanes along the byway make this a likely destination for cyclists. Planned observation decks offer excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Directions
Missouri Route 79
Holcim Cement/Clarksville Refuge (MO)
This world-class interpretive site allows the visitor to see how an environmentally sensitive industry that is adjacent to a wildlife refuge can allow for both to exist in a mutually compatible manner. This site not only demonstrates how this cement plant positively impacts the environment but also offers the opportunity for birdwatching from the tower, accessible to those with disabilities.
Lock and Dam #24 (MO)
Tours of this site, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are available seasonally and an observation platform provides an excellent vantage point from which to view the American bald eagle and other birds that pass through the corridor.
Directions
Missouri Route 79
