Kirksville
Around Kirksville
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Town and around · Missouri · 29k people
Kirksville
Locals say Northeast Missouri
Where rolling fields meet a vibrant campus.
Truman State purplePrairie green
Welcome to Kirksville, the heart of Northeast Missouri. Whether you're here for the lake, the college, or the small-town charm, you'll find friendly faces and plenty to do. Grab a pork tenderloin and enjoy the square!
Clubs for Kirksville
No clubs for Kirksville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Kirksville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Kirksville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Thousand Hills State Park Forest Lake, hiking, camping, and fishing.
- Truman State University Public liberal arts university with a historic campus.
- Kirksville Downtown Square Center of town with shops, restaurants, and events.
- Adair County Courthouse Historic building on the square.
- Adair County Fairgrounds Hosts the county fair and other events.
- Kirksville Aquatic Center Public pool and water park.
- Outdoors Fishing at Thousand Hills State Park
- Outdoors Hiking the trails at Thousand Hills
- With kids Adair County Fair
- With kids Kirksville Aquatic Center
- Evenings Bars and pubs on the square
- Evenings Live music at local venues
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love County fairs
Through the year
- Adair County Fair July Livestock shows, carnival rides, and local food.
- Red, White & Blue Festival July 4th Parade, live music, and fireworks on the square.
- Truman State University Homecoming October Parade, tailgating, and Bulldog football.
- Kirksville Christmas Parade December Holiday floats and Santa on the square.
Humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “NEMO”
- Northeast Missouri
- “The Square”
- Downtown Kirksville
- “The Lake”
- Forest Lake at Thousand Hills State Park
- “Truman”
- Truman State University
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A regional staple across the Midwest, often served with pickles and mustard.
- Missouri-style BBQ Slow-smoked meats with a sweet-and-tangy sauce, common at local cook‑offs.
- Sweet corn Fresh from local fields in late summer, a favourite at county fairs.
Where people go
- Small‑town diners Classic breakfast spots and coffee shops that anchor the community.
- County fairs Annual gatherings with livestock shows, carnival rides, and fried treats.
- Lakes and state parks Thousand Hills State Park and other outdoor recreation areas.
- Historic downtown squares Courthouse squares with local shops and seasonal events.
Heritage and traditions
Northeast Missouri is proud of its small-town hospitality, deep agricultural roots, and the pioneering legacy of osteopathic medicine founded in Kirksville by A.T. Still. Locals cherish their close-knit communities, hunting traditions, and the simple beauty of the rolling hills and farmland.
Say it like a local: “Fixin' to” — About to do something.
Festivals
- Putnam County Fair July Held in Unionville each July, featuring livestock shows, carnival rides, and demolition derbies.
- Mercer County Fair July Princeton's fair in July with 4-H exhibits, tractor pulls, and a parade.
- Scotland County Fair July Memphis, MO hosts this fair in late July, known for its old-fashioned atmosphere.
- Linn County Fair July Brookfield's fair in June or July, with a strong railroad heritage theme.
Landmarks with a story
- A.T. Still Museum Located on the A.T. Still University campus, preserving the history of osteopathic medicine.
- A.T. Still House The original home of the founder, adjacent to the museum, restored to its 19th-century appearance.
- Brookfield Railroad Depot A restored train station reflecting the town's role as a major rail hub in the late 1800s.
- Putnam County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Unionville, built in 1870, with a distinctive cupola.
- Mercer County Courthouse Princeton's courthouse, dating to 1867, a landmark on the town square.
Food traditions
- Amish baked goods Fresh breads, pies, and cinnamon rolls from the Amish communities near Milan and Unionville, sold at roadside stands and local markets.
- Church potluck dinners Casseroles, fried chicken, and Jell-O salads shared after Sunday services—a staple of rural social life.
- Hunting camp breakfasts Biscuits and gravy, eggs, and sausage served before dawn during deer season in November.
- Venison chili Made from the season's deer harvest, a winter favorite at community gatherings.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and old-time music Local jam sessions and festivals, especially in La Plata and surrounding rural areas.
- Kirksville Arts Association Promotes visual arts through exhibitions and workshops in the downtown area.
- Truman State University music programs Concerts, recitals, and opera performances open to the public.
A little history
- 1841 Founding of Kirksville
- 1874 A.T. Still founded osteopathy
- 1867 Truman State University established as North Missouri Normal School
- 1859 Railroad reached Brookfield, making it a regional hub
- 1861-1865 Civil War skirmishes and guerrilla activity in the region
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Deer camp
- Outdoors Morel mushroom hunting
- Outdoors Deer hunting
- With kids Amish bakery runs
- With kids A.T. Still Museum
A Midwestern accent with a rural drawl. People often say 'you guys' for 'you all', 'pop' for soda, and may pronounce 'creek' as 'crick' and 'wash' as 'warsh'. Common phrases include 'fixin' to' for 'about to' and references to being 'out in the sticks' for remote areas.
Only here
- Birthplace of osteopathic medicine—A.T. Still's legacy is everywhere.
- The Amish community is one of the largest in Missouri, with a strong presence near Milan and Unionville.
- The 'Red, White & Blue Festival' in Brookfield is a beloved local tradition, though not unique to the region.
- Thousand Hills State Park's name comes from the ancient Osage Indian legend of a thousand hills.
New here? A few tips
- Drive slowly on rural roads—you'll often encounter tractors and farm equipment, especially during planting and harvest seasons.
- Get to know your neighbors; small-town life thrives on friendliness and mutual support.
- Try a local diner for breakfast—biscuits and gravy are a staple.
- Be prepared for extreme weather: hot humid summers and cold snowy winters, with occasional severe thunderstorms.
- If you're not a hunter, be aware that November is deer season; wear blaze orange if you hike in rural areas.
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Nearby
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Kirksville, MO. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.