Nestled in the natural beauty of wooded hills and river-carved limestone bluffs, this quaint little turn-of-the-century town provides a wonderful gateway to our past. Historic Parkville represents a marvelous mix of antiques, crafts, specialty shops and restaurants. Add the aroma of fresh flowers, homemade candies and fresh-ground coffee, and this old-fashioned river town awakens the senses as well as the heart. Both Parkville and Park College bear the name of Colonel George S. Park, veteran of the Texas War of Independence, land speculator, entrepreneur. Col. Park purchased the site of Parkville and a riverboat landing from the English brothers in 1838, filed the first plat of the town in 1844, and by 1850 had built warehouses and a large stone hotel. In 1853 he established one of Platte County's earliest newspapers, The Industrial Luminary. The Native Americans, French fur traders, and Lewis and Clark all recognized the importance of the Missouri River. Flatboats, keelboats and finally powerful steamboats opened the West to a flood of hopeful pioneers in search of land, adventure or gold and silver. Steamboats first ventured onto the Missouri in 1819, and in time were carrying cargo and passengers all the way to Fort Benton, Montana, almost 3,000 miles from St. Louis. Our beautiful English Landing Park, along the banks of the Missouri River, provides hikers, strollers and picnickers from both Missouri and Kansas with groomed trails, shelters, and playground equipment. The Parkville Nature Sanctuary located behind City Hall offers 115 acres of woods and wetlands, a waterfall, a beaver colony, and a little glimpse of Parkville history. From May through October you will find Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings coming alive with visitors wandering through Parkville's Farmer's Market selecting fresh produce, plants and flowers, and baked goods. Parkville's location and picturesque setting allow year-round enjoyment of the spectacular scenery of the wooded hills and valleys overlooking the Missouri River. This is reflected in its busy calendar of festivals and outdoor events.