Bonebrake Center of Nature and History Bonebrake-McMurtrey Foundation, LTD. A Not-For-Profit Organization The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History 601 North Hickory Salem, MO 65560-9760 573.729.3400 bonebrakecenter@embarqmail.com www.bonebrake.org

History | Activities

Keeping our history, habitats, and heritage alive for our children, our tourists, and our future!

The mission of the Bonebrake-McMurtrey Foundation, Ltd. is to nurture understanding and appreciation of nature, culture, and history through experiences at the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History.

 The purpose of the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History is to maintain and establish an area with paths through natural settings of prairies and forest plantings, and beside ponds and a spring, to provide a place for people of all ages to stroll, learn, and observe plants, animals, and birds. Schools are invited to use the area as an outdoor classroom. The historic home is peaceful setting in which people may gather to learn or relax at their leisure in the pleasant, attractive atmosphere. The ultimate objective of the Foundation is to provide the general public, through restoration and maintenance of the residence, development and active management of the land, and various public programs, a living nature and history experience, offering a broad range of activities, resources, and opportunities appealing to all ages and interests.

Located just two blocks from the historic Dent county courthouse and a block from the Dent County Museum, the 12 acres of Bonebrake property, including a major spring-fed pond, a smaller pond and natural wetland area, and a small stream, are a naturalist's dream and a delight for historians. The spring was important in the location of Salem and has a history all its own-- a source of water in dry seasons, the water supply for Salem's first swimming pool, a cooling reservoir for a cheese factory, and a source of pride for the whole community.

Along the meandering stream is a mix of native trees - a setting for birds and bird watchers. There are walking paths, with wooden benches scattered along the trails for resting or contemplating the surroundings. A "pocket prairie" of native warm season grasses has been established and hundreds of trees planted on the grounds. The public is welcome to walk the property any time during daylight hours.

Feel free to stop by!  

The house is open during activities, and by appointment or chance.

Directions to the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History:

From Rolla:  East on Highway 72 about 25 miles. (Highway 72 is the highway that Johnny’s Smokestack is on...).  About 1 mile past hospital ("SMDH" sign on your left), take "J" highway left (east).  Continue into town on "J," and it will make a 90 degree turn to the right (south) and suddenly become "MacArthur Avenue."  After that sharp swing right, take a left (going east) at the second street your left (4^th Street), which is the "main drag."  

Continue through town on 4^th Street, and straight through the four-way stop (Dent County Courthouse will be diagonally across the street on your left); continue on Fourth Street about four blocks.  Turn left (north) onto Hickory Street, which is the first street past Roberts-Judson Lumber at the bottom of the hill.

Continue north on Hickory Street one block to the three-way stop at Rolla Road (the people on your left coming up the hill do NOT stop). The Bonebrake Center is the old, two-story house (tan with white trim) diagonally across the street on your left.

Continue straight through the intersection, and the entrance to the parking lot is about ½ block down on your left between the mailbox with a large sunflower on it and the log cabin.

Directions to the Bonebrake Center from 68 North or 19 North:

Come straight into town (traveling south) until you get to a four-way stop sign (the county courthouse will be on your left).  Turn left (east) at the four-way stop (4^th Street) and travel about four blocks.  Turn left (north) onto Hickory Street, which is the first street past Roberts-Judson Lumber at the bottom of the hill.

Continue north on Hickory Street one block to the three-way stop at Rolla Road (the people on your left coming up the hill do NOT stop). The Bonebrake Center is the old, two-story house (tan with white trim) diagonally across the street on your left.

Continue straight through the intersection, and the entrance to the parking lot is about ½ block down on your left between the mailbox with a large sunflower on it and the log cabin.

Come straight into town on Highway 32. At the third stop light, the junction of 32/72 and 19 (there will be a tall, multi-story building being torn down on the southeast corner), take a left (north).  Travel through town (north) to the four-way stop at 4^th Street (the Dent County Courthouse will be across the street on your right).

Take a right on 4^th street, and travel about four blocks (east).  Turn left (north) onto Hickory Street, which is the first street past Roberts-Judson Lumber at the bottom of the hill.

Continue north on Hickory Street one block to the three-way stop at Rolla Road (the people on your left coming up the hill do NOT stop). The Bonebrake Center is the old, two-story house (tan with white trim) diagonally across the street on your left.

Continue straight through the intersection, and the entrance to the parking lot is about ½ block down on your left between the mailbox with a large sunflower on it and the log cabin.

Come straight into Salem on Highway 19 (north). The first stop light is the junction of 32/72 and 19 (there will be a tall, multi-story building being torn down on your right). Continue north on Highway 19.  Travel through town (north) to the four-way stop at 4^th Street (the Dent County Courthouse will be across the street on your right).  

Take a right on 4^th street, and travel about four blocks (east).  Turn left (north) onto Hickory Street, which is the first street past Roberts-Judson Lumber at the bottom of the hill.

Continue north on Hickory Street one block to the three-way stop at Rolla Road (the people on your left coming up the hill do NOT stop). The Bonebrake Center is the old, two-story house (tan with white trim) diagonally across the street on your left.

Continue straight through the intersection, and the entrance to the parking lot is about ½ block down on your left between the mailbox with a large sunflower on it and the log cabin.

    Come straight into Salem on 32-72. At the stoplight at the junction of Highways 32-72 and 19, take a right (a tall, multi-story building that is being torn down will be on your left) onto Highway 19 (North).  Travel through town (north) to the four-way stop at 4^th Street (the Dent County Courthouse will be across the street on your right).

Take a right on 4^th street, and travel about four blocks (east).  Turn left (north) onto Hickory Street, which is the first street past Roberts-Judson Lumber at the bottom of the hill.

Continue north on Hickory Street one block to the three-way stop at Rolla Road (the people on your left coming up the hill do NOT stop). The Bonebrake Center is the old, two-story house (tan with white trim) diagonally across the street on your left.

Continue straight through the intersection, and the entrance to the parking lot is about ½ block down on your left between the mailbox with a large sunflower on it and the log cabin.

Feel free to stop in! 

Open during activities and by appointment or chance.