Montauk State Park celebrates 100 years at Old Mill Days

By Editor | May 13, 2026 |

Photo by Shari Harris
Montauk Mill was open for Old Mill Days, and seasonal naturalists Cheri Low, left, and Evelyn Tyree, right, joined Luke Johnson, superintendent of Ha Ha Tonka State Park and former assistant superintendent at Montauk State Park, on Saturday to answer questions from visitors.

Montauk State Park celebrated their 100th anniversary during Old Mill Days Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9. The Montauk Mill, which sustained damage during the flood of November 2024, was restored in time for the celebration and was open to visitors.

The two-day event included history tours, live music, a craft fair, a food truck, archery, blacksmithing, rope making, cooking food in Dutch ovens, wood carving, bee keeping, flintknapping, spinning yarn, and a display of some of the heavy equipment used at the park. Old time games were also being held for those who wished to participate.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and Department of Natural Resources both had information booths and displays set up. Visitors could see live snakes, pick up free literature about the great Missouri outdoors, see a bear trap used for capturing and relocating nuisance bears, buy a 100th anniversary t-shirt, and so much more. The highlight for the nostalgic, however, was likely seeing the OPEN sign in front of the Montauk Mill.

It was inspiring to see how much work had been done to restore the mill. The shelves behind the counter are cleaner, there is a shine to some of the woodwork, but upon closer inspection you can discover some of the damage created by the flood. The water mark on the scales shows how high the water rose inside the mill and demonstrates how much silt and sand had to be removed to even find the floors. A slight tilt to the floors is also felt, but it is solid and stabilized. Initially the park was uncertain about the future of the mill, so it was good to step back inside it again.

In addition to all those activities, crafters were selling their wares at a variety of craft booths. From books to paintings and from items made from honey to crocheting, talented craftsmen and women showed their work, answered questions by visitors, and sold many things as well.

All in all, it was a great celebration. Congratulations, Montauk State Park, on 100 years of providing visitors a great place to be outdoors!