Weird Laws Still on the Books in Missouri
In downtown Jefferson City, Missouri’s state capital nestled roughly halfway between Kansas City and St. Louis, the Missouri State Capitol building stands as a beacon of history and law. Visitors can explore the grand rotunda and the impressive murals by Thomas Hart Benton, which depict Missouri’s rich past. Among the many stories held here, the Capitol reminds us that some outdated statutes remain etched in the legal code—quirky relics that speak to Missouri’s colorful past. While you’re there, imagine the legislative debates that shaped these odd laws, and how the state’s legal traditions continue to evolve in this stately building surrounded by the Missouri River bluffs.
Just a little over an hour’s drive south from Jefferson City, the town of Hermann offers a distinctly Germanic charm along the Missouri River, known for its wineries and historic districts. Here in the heart of the Missouri Rhineland, the local courthouse and city hall stand as testaments to small-town governance where some unusual regulations linger. For example, certain outdated ordinances forbid wearing hats in public or ban chewing gum on sidewalks, remnants of a time when public decorum was legislated with an iron fist. Strolling Hermann’s cobblestone streets amid its wineries and half-timbered buildings, visitors witness how tradition and modern life intertwine under the shadow of these curious rules.
In St. Louis, a city about 70 miles east of Hermann, the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park offers more than just exhibits on the 1904 World’s Fair or the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Its exhibits also delve into the social mores and norms that once governed the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Here, you can learn about peculiar local ordinances, like those prohibiting women from driving automobiles or laws against whistling on Sundays. Forest Park, with its sprawling trails and cultural institutions, provides a scenic backdrop to consider how these archaic rules once shaped daily life in a bustling urban center. The museum’s thoughtfully curated displays invite visitors to reflect on how laws reflect the evolving values of a community.
Heading west toward Branson, known for its live entertainment and rolling Ozark foothills about four hours southwest of St. Louis, the town’s historic downtown area reveals a playful side of Missouri law. Some old statutes forbid activities like fishing from the town’s bridges or even the act of shooting rabbits from the street. While these laws are rarely enforced today, their existence adds a layer of local color to Branson’s vibrant arts scene. After experiencing a show at one of Branson’s many theaters, take a leisurely walk through the historic district to see how small-town life has maintained its charm while quietly keeping these odd legal relics on the books.
On the eastern edge of the Ozarks, about 90 minutes southwest of Springfield, the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield preserves the site of one of the Civil War’s pivotal clashes. Visiting the battlefield’s visitor center and walking the well-marked trails across 1,700 acres gives insight into Missouri’s divided loyalties and the strict military laws imposed during wartime. Some unusual regulations from that era, like restrictions on carrying firearms in certain counties or curfews for civilians, echo in the area’s historic documents. The battlefield’s rolling terrain and interpretive signs bring these stories to life, especially striking in the crisp colors of fall or the fresh blooms of spring.
Over in Columbia, a lively college town around two hours west of St. Louis, the University of Missouri’s School of Law stands as a hub of legal scholarship. The campus itself, with its stately columns and green quadrangles, is a good place to reflect on how laws evolve over time. Nearby, the Boone County Courthouse anchors the downtown square, where some archaic statutes remain, including those regulating gambling or public dancing—once deemed serious offenses. Columbia’s vibrant arts and food scenes provide a modern contrast, showing how the community has moved beyond these odd rules while preserving its history in architecture and local lore.
Further north, in Hannibal, about 100 miles northwest of St. Louis along the Mississippi River, visitors find the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, a place steeped in literary history and Missouri’s cultural past. Twain’s stories often poked fun at societal norms and legal absurdities, many of which reflected real laws of the time. In Hannibal’s charming historic district, some old municipal laws—like those banning the feeding of pigeons or requiring permits for parades—still linger on the books. Walking the riverfront or taking a riverboat cruise, visitors can enjoy the same scenic views that inspired Twain’s tales while pondering the strange legal customs that shaped his world.
Finally, down in Cape Girardeau, located about 120 miles south of St. Louis along the Mississippi River, the River Heritage Museum showcases the city’s connection to river commerce and frontier justice. The museum’s exhibits highlight how laws in river towns were often strict and peculiar, designed to maintain order in bustling, sometimes rowdy ports. Some local laws, such as prohibitions on public singing or restrictions on certain types of fishing nets, remain curiosities preserved in municipal archives. Exploring the museum and the riverfront bike trail offers a glimpse into how Missouri’s waterways shaped not only commerce but also the quirky legal landscape that governed daily life.
From state capitals to river towns, Missouri’s landscape is dotted with places where the past lingers in law as well as in history. Visiting these sites lets travelers experience the fascinating intersection of place, culture, and legal tradition, where some of the strangest bits of legislation still quietly exist, reflecting the state’s unique character and ongoing story.