Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Missouri History — Eccentric 12,000-square-foot lodge built into a limestone bluff by John Homer Bothwell (1897–1928) — features 31 rooms, hidden passageways, and a rooftop garden carved into the cliff face!
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Missouri |
| Entry Fee | Free admission! |
About Bothwell Lodge
Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site in Pettis County preserves the eccentric 12,000-square-foot lodge built into a bluff overlooking the Missouri River valley by lawyer and politician John Homer Bothwell between 1897 and 1928. Bothwell built the lodge by hand over 31 years using local stone, incorporating caves and rock outcroppings into the structure. The result is a one-of-a-kind architectural curiosity — part castle, part cave dwelling.
Things to Do
Touring the eccentric stone lodge built into the bluff, exploring the cave rooms and natural rock features incorporated into the architecture, hiking the 180-acre grounds, and marveling at 31 years of one man’s building obsession.
Visiting Today
Guided tours of the eccentric stone lodge reveal rooms built around natural rock outcroppings and cave features. The 180-acre grounds include hiking trails through Ozark forest with views of the Missouri River valley. Open April through October. One of Missouri’s most architecturally unique historic sites.
Getting There
Located south of Sedalia in Pettis County, accessible from Highway 65. Tours run April through October. Sedalia hosted the 1901 World’s Fair rehearsal events and is the birthplace of Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” — the composition that launched the ragtime era.
Insider Tips
Eccentric mansion: Bothwell Lodge is a 12,000-square-foot stone lodge built into a bluff overlooking the Lamine River Valley — the eccentric creation of attorney John Homer Bothwell. Pro tip: Bothwell designed the lodge himself with no formal architectural training — the result is a unique mix of Arts & Crafts, Adirondack, and castle-like features. Secret passages: The lodge contains hidden rooms and passageways — Bothwell was a private man.
Best Time to Visit
Fall: Valley foliage from the bluff. Summer: Full tour programming. Spring: Wildflowers on the grounds. Year-round: Lodge tours available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tour the inside?
Yes — guided tours explore the lodge’s 31 rooms, including hidden passageways and the observation tower with panoramic views. Bothwell built the lodge between 1897 and 1928 — adding rooms over three decades. The eclectic design reflects one man’s vision without architectural constraints. The lodge sits on 180 acres with hiking trails along the bluff.
