By Kristina Light
Lexington, Missouri sits just 50 miles east of Kansas City on U.S. Highway 24. It’s one of those small river towns with a rich history, antebellum architecture and locally owned businesses known for Midwestern hospitality. Historic homes line the streets, independent shops comprise a walkable downtown, and tasty food is easy to find. Lexington offers the perfect unhurried day trip or weekend getaway.
On June 13, the city will host its inaugural Minnie Mae Day, a free all-day celebration honoring Minnie Mae Talbott. Talbott is most famous for becoming the first woman elected as a local sheriff in the United States. The full story of her remarkable life is told in Diane Euston’s article in the history section.
The celebration runs 9 a.m. until 10:30 pm on the square in downtown Lexington with ceremonies, vendors, a Minnie Mae lookalike contest. Festivities also include a Jail and Bail Fundraiser, in which women “arrest” their husbands, boyfriends, bosses, brothers, friends, and other willing offenders. The day will wrap up with a free concert featuring country music star Amanda Pruitt, a Wentworth Military Academy and College alumna.
History You Can Experience
To this day, a cannonball remains lodged in the east column of the Lafayette County Courthouse in Lexington. It serves as a reminder of the Confederate forces’ week-long siege on the Union garrison at Lexington beginning on September 13, 1861. The battle ended as the Union Army surrendered to the pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard on September 20.
The Battle of Lexington State Historic Site at 1101 Delaware St. honors the battlefield with a visitor center, museum, hiking trails and interpretive programs. Also at the site is the Oliver Anderson House, an 1853 mansion that served as a field hospital during the battle and still bears bullet holes and cannonball damage. The grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset and admission is free. A small fee is charged for Anderson House tours.
Lexington’s streets are lined with antebellum and Victorian homes, many of which now operate as short-term rentals and bed and breakfasts. Jeannette Gross of the Lexington Tourism Board puts it plainly: “There are so many beautiful historic homes. You go to the local coffee shop, hit the antique shops and boutiques and stroll down Main Street. We all see the beauty of our town and feel safe and confident that what we have to offer is what a small town represents.”
Among the many short-term rentals in town, one two-bedroom home is an important piece of Eric Schwab’s family history. The home sits close to restaurants, antique stores, and historic sites. The listing can be found under the name “Cozy Nostalgic Home in Lexington” at airbnb.com/rooms/36561381.
“My grandparents bought the house almost 100 years ago,” Schwab said. “Much of the decor was theirs, and we haven’t updated a lot of it because of the memories it holds. People say it feels like a hug from their grandparents when they walk in. We really enjoy the small town feeling and history.”
Where to Shop
White Chapel Antiques at 1401 Franklin Ave. is worth a detour off Main Street. Owner Ron Fuenfhausen has operated the shop for six years out of a 1925 church building known for its stained-glass windows and sale of high quality antique home goods. He restores many pieces before selling them, and customers frequently share memories the pieces stir.
Sneak-A-Peek Antiques & Decor at 817 Main St. offers a well organized selection of treasures and a proprietor who loves what she does. Owner Phyllis Lamers bought the shop at its original location in 2022 and relocated it last year. A brass sign out front marks the building as the historic Limrick Bank, which was established in 1850 and named for banker William Limrick. The original tin ceilings overhead remain a standout feature. Local vendors offer antiques, décor, candles, canned goods, spices, jewelry, books and seasonal merchandise. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Second Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the downtown trolley tours are also running.
The antique corridor continues with Country Peddler Antiques at 1112 Main St., Blackthorn Antiques at 1115 Main St., and The Faded Rose at 1128 Main St. New to the mix is Tilley & Co. Artisan Market at 1122 Main St., bringing handcrafted wood, pottery, glass, and other artisan goods to the block, along with DIY classes for those who want to try their hand at making something of their own.
River Reader Books at 1010 Main St. is an independent bookstore and espresso bar that’s easy to spot with a store mascot. A bright pink cow named Cowbell resides in the window. Owner Christy Todd stocks a wide selection of books across all genres, including curated children’s titles Missouri authors. The store also hosts author events, art classes, and cooking demonstrations. The store is part of the Missouri Indie Bookshop Tour, a statewide program offered this summer, in which readers can earn prizes for supporting Missouri businesses.
Just down the block, Phantasia at 1110 Main St. is a play space designed for families. Children can explore imaginative play, take part in DIY craft classes, and attend themed events and parties while parents take a breath. “We create a welcoming space for children to explore imaginative play while parents relax, visit, and enjoy a cup of coffee,” says owner Tonya Shoats.
Where to Eat
The Maid-Rite at 1401 Main St. is one of just three remaining locations in Missouri. The chain was founded in 1926 by Fred Angell, an Iowa butcher who combined a special grind of beef with spices to create the Maid-Rite sandwich. It is defined as a “loose meat” sandwich similar to a sloppy joe.. The diner has offered a hearty lunch in Lexington since 1946.
Papa Jack’s Pizza at 1014 Main St. has been an institution since 2006, known for its homemade crust and sauce. The white pizza with garlic alfredo, spinach, and feta is a standout item.
About fifteen miles away, Arcadian Moon Winery in Higginsville, Missouri, produces a range of wines with names inspired by stars and constellations. The winery offers tastings, cheese pairings and stellar views. One of its features is a reservation-only outdoor dome dining space, which is used all year for sheltered, private meals. The winery is also a Harvest Host site for RV campers.
Something Happening Every Season
From June through September, the Second Sunday series supplied downtown with an open-air market, guided trolley tours, local shopping and dining each month with a different theme.
The summer also includes a citywide fireworks show at Lions Club Lake on July 3, the Catfish Tournament at Lexington Marina on July 25 and 26, and the Porches and Peaches festival on July 25. The Cannonball Car Show on August 15 overlaps with the start of the Lexington Community Fair, which runs from Aug. 15 until Aug. 22.
Fall brings the Living History Event on Sept. 19, the Art Show from Oct. 1 until Oct. 3, and the Explore the Unexplained and the Haunted Cemetery tours on Oct. 24.
The holiday season opens with the Holiday Market on Nov. 14, Small Business Shopping on Nov. 28 and the Festival of Lights and parade on Dec. 4. The weekend of Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 brings Living Windows and the Christmas Bazaar and Craft Show alongside the Holiday Homes Tour, when beautifully decorated historic homes open their doors to visitors.
Most Lexington businesses are closed on Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly. For a full calendar and a map of tourist destinations, see VisitLexingtonMo.org.
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