Scenic history of small towns

A forecast of rain for Saturday might dampen others' plans, but it's not going to disturb Dr. Frank Nickell's annual attempt to show off some of the region's less obvious historical and natural gems during the 14th annual Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive.

"We have had rain on 10 of the 13 times we have held the drive, that's part of it. It's what makes the flowers bloom," said Nickell, noting it's the peak blooming time for azaleas, dogwoods and redbuds.

Nickell is the director for the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University. The center puts together the annual road trip to bring visitors to small, historic communities in Southeast Missouri.

"Many historic sites in the region are in smaller towns where there's no tourism budget," Nickell said. "We wanted to organize a scenic tour. That way all of the small towns could connect and coordinate their activities in one weekend."

In the first year the drive was held, 17 towns participated in an area covering 131 miles from Cape Girardeau to Perryville.

For the drive's 14th year, between 2,500 to 3,000 people are expected to visit the 27 communities from Perryville in the north, to Commerce in the south, to Marble Hill in the west.

According to Nickell, this is the weekend where all the participating communities "put on their best face" and try to educate and entertain visitors.

The small town of Brazeau, located north of Cape Girardeau, has a population of about 52 people, but it's usually a popular destination during the drive, Nickell said.

Brazeau is home to a Presbyterian church built in 1854, as well as a museum, a historic post office building and a restored blacksmith shop.

One recent addition to the town is the Hemman Winery, located at 13022 Route C. The winery specializes in sweet and semi-sweet table wines and will be celebrating its one-year anniversary this weekend. It is open from 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

In celebration of the scenic drive and its anniversary, there will be live music from 1 to 3 p.m. and sausage and cheese to accompany the 11 different wines available.

"It's more like the old German style," Dorothy Hemman said of the wine. "We grow a lot of our own fruit."

The Hemman's wine is made from fruits such as blackberries, raspberries and apples, as well as grapes.

Al Hemman learned to make wine from his mother, who learned it from her father, who learned how to make wine while he lived in Germany.

Even the winery is housed in a historic building, a former country store built in 1870.

History is also on display in Marble Hill, home to the Bollinger County Museum of Natural History and the Cat Ranch Art Guild, which will be holding a crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Some other hidden, special spots, Nickell said, are the Commerce Museum in Commerce and Oak Ridge's Pinecrest Azalea Farm.

Visitors to Burfordville can walk across Missouri's oldest covered bridge, dating to 1858. It is part of the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site.

Bollinger Mill began in 1867 and was used to make flour and corn meal at one time. Guided tours of the mill are given, where the guide explains the history of the mill and how it worked. On the second floor of the mill is an exhibit detailing more of the mill's history.

During the scenic drive weekend, people can have a free tour of the mill from 10 a.m. until 4 or 5 p.m. In addition, there will be an open house and meeting to discuss future projects at the mill, such as a new roof for the bridge.

"It's an effort to get more public input," said Jack Smoot, the mill's historic site administrator.

Even for people who may not be interested in the history of the Bollinger mill, it has an aesthetic appeal.

"It's a really pretty site," Smoot said. "It's a beautiful place to come out for a family picnic."

This weekend, many of the towns will also offer "lots of food and lots of fun," Nickell said.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182