Missouri Real Estate - A Slower Pace

Our tour will now take a dip 53 miles southwest of St. Louis to the town of Bonne Terre. The fast paced lifestyle stops here. The town boast a whopping 4,039 nice people and one old ……….. ( you can check out their web site to find out)! The median age is 35, the household income is $29,000 and the median house value is $54,000. New construction house costs average $75,000. Bonne Terre Mine is a former lead mine and one of the most popular attractions in the area. The mine is shaped like a giant cone with 5 levels, all built using the room and pillar method, where pillars of unexcavated rock are left to support the ceiling. The upper level extends more than 200 km², the lower levels are narrowing slightly. At the turn of the century this mine was the worlds foremost producer of lead.

The mine's Billion Gallon lake make it a premier cave diving destination and is listed by National Geographic as one of America’s Ten Best Adventures. West End Diving owns and operates the mine and offers scuba diving, walking and pontoon boat tours. Close by is the St. Francois State Park that includes 2,734 acres of rolling hills and hollows. Pike Run Hills and Big River offer backpacking, canoeing, float trips and of course fishing. The springs that feed the Ozarks streams are remarkably clear and inviting on a hot summer day! The small town life just might be calling you.