Daniel Boone Home

After a lifetime spent venturing into the unknown wilderness that made up much of the United States at the time, legendary explorer Daniel Boone finally settled in Missouri at the end of the 18th century. The 69-year-old Boone and his grown son Nathan spent seven years building the home, using a vast amount of hand-hewn blue Missouri limestone in the process.

Missouri was still considered fairly untamed territory when Boone built his home. Safety during skirmishes with Native Americans was a concern, and the house was practically a fort. The walls varied from 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 feet thick, and the inhabitants could fire back at attackers through gun ports built into the walls next to the windows (figure A).

However, the house was also surprisingly elegant, with a well-appointed dining room and a walnut mantel that Boone carved himself (figure B).