Surrounded By History

One of the more unique conservation areas in Missouri's vast conservation network is the Watkins Conservation Area in Scott County.  It is ironic that the footprint of the conservation area is close to the original Beechwood Plantation, once owned by Gen. N. W. Watkins and his family's original 1103 acre plantation.

Not many state conservation areas have a family cemetery, which is still active, located within the Conservation Area.  The Watkins Cemetery is located on the southern section of the Conservation Area and is still active to direct descendents.  There are meandering little streams, hills and gullies, along with climbing opportunities within the conservation area too.  Furthermore, you will find snakes, insects and the usual creatures found in Missouri's Conservation areas. 

One spring day I trudged through the forest of tall trees to find a horseshoe shape row of large lightly scented Daffodils with yellow pedals and tall stems.  They stood in memory of a pathway leading the way to the main house that is no more.  I smelled the sweet aroma of flowers in the meadow, found a Moss Roses that is actually "Centifolia and Damasks Roses," the rose of four seasons.  It is an old rose with many names.  This rose could have been planted in the early to mid 1800s by Mrs. Eliza Watkins and a house slave.  I also found old fashion English roses that have a rich fragrant seldom found today.  Near where the large house once stood, before it burned in 1878, you find remnants of the old garden plants. 

Just past the flowers in a flatten area, I found bits and pieces of burnt bricks scattered near where the house once stood and I even found reminisce of the house cistern.  What a wonderful way to spend ones day!   General Watkins Conservation Area has citizens of Missouri and the nation by making this area a historical conscious place where a family once walked the ground in an era past.  Thankfully the link of family continues as descendants of Gen. N. W. Watkins and Eliza Watson Watkins are buried in the stately family cemetery.

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