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Welcome to Lamar and Barton County, Missouri! With the beauty of one of Missouri's richest recreational areas as a backdrop, we have exciting attractions and fun-filled special events for the entire family! Here's a look at everything Barton County has to offer for visiting guests. Click here to go to the Parks & Recreation Department's website. Click on the thumbnail images of each attraction for a larger picture to open in a different window.
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| TRUMAN BIRTHPLACE
 Lamar's most famous native son is Harry S Truman, the 33rd U.S. President and the only President to be born in Missouri. Now a State Historic Site, the Truman Birthplace is open for free tours daily. The attraction will be expanded in upcoming years to include replicas of livery stable and a historic schoolhouse. The site is located two blocks north of U.S. Highway 160 on Truman Street.
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PRAIRIE STATE PARK
 The Prairie State Park preserves the largest remaining tallgrass prairie in Missouri. The 3,542-acre park protects a variety of native prairie grasses and distinctive prairie animals, including prairie chickens and bison. Prairie State Park's three hiking trails are designed to help visitors appreciate the vastness, solitude, and beauty of the prairie. Picnicking, hiking, exploring the visitor center, and observing wildlife are among activities featured here. Limited camping for groups can be arranged by contacting the park naturalist. The park also offers visitors a chance to see firsthand a variety of changing wildflower displays, animal life, and spectacular panoramic views. The park is located west of Lamar from U.S. 160 off Missouri Highway 43, on Highway P from Highway K.
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| LAMAR AQUATIC PARK
 The area's largest and most unique community water amusement park is the Lamar Aquatic Park. The Leisure Pool features 5600 square feet of zero grade entry, a 150-foot spiral slide, frog slide, floating alligator, floating raft, lily pads, sky shooter, raindrop toadstools, a large umbrella for adults and their little ones. Lounge chairs surround the deck. 
The Competition, or lap pool features 3200 square feet, six 25 meter lap lanes, water volleyball, water basketball and water polo. The Natatorium, or indoor facility, features 3500 square feet with two 25 meter lap lanes, water aerobics and water therapy classes. Other features are a sand volleyball court and bathhouse, which includes a concession area, showers and lockers.
 This delightful water amusement park is located south of U.S. Highway 160 at the end of Cherry Street.
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STILABOWER OBSERVATORY
 Stilabower Public Observatory is one of the few community-owned observatories in the nation. Another unique aspect of this observatory is its design that allows handicapped-accessibility and its ease for small children to allow both groups to see what anyone else would see at other observatories across the country. This facility boasts a 14-inch telescope, computerized tracking, and a digital imaging system. The facility is open selected evenings by special appointment. To receive additional information, call the Lamar Vo-Tech for referral information at 417-682-3384 or call Walter Powell at 417-682-3745 or Ralph Williston at 417-682-9655.
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WATERFRONT RECREATION
 Lamar/Barton County's special touch of nature includes the Lamar City Lake. With 250-acres of water surface and thousands of feet of shoreline, the lake is perfect for recreational fishing. The Lake also includes picnic tables, a covered boat slip, and three floatation fishing docks.
As a joint project of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the City of Lamar, the Old North Dam area (north of Lamar off Truman Street) features a new boat ramp to enhance the picnic and fishing experience. The North Dam is perfect scenic, peaceful escape to nature.
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ANGLER'S PARADISE
Angler's Paradise was established to provide access to quality fishing found on private reservoirs. Our goal is to give anglers steady action and the opportunity to catch a trophy bass. Everything you need for a great fishing experience is at your disposal when you visit Angler's Paradise, including rental boats, guide service, boat slips, and bait. If you prefer to bring your own boat, you'll find easy access to launch from our ramp. Staying overnight? There's no "roughing it" in our cabins where you'll find all the modern conveniences of home. Check out one of the Midwest's premiere fishing and hunting resorts at Angler's Paradise - the way bass fishing used to be!
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LAMAR CITY PARK
 Some of Southwest Missouri's most beautiful landscaping is found at the 55-acre Lamar City Park. Part of an award-winning and highly sought-after Parks and Recreation program, this attraction includes extensive playground equipment, fish pond, fountain, numerous shelter houses, walking trails, fitness stations, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, tennis courts, and RV parking. RV guests may park at no charge for a 3-day stay with water and dumping stations available.
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HISTORIC PLAZA THEATRE & BARCO DRIVE-IN
 The newly restored Plaza Theatre features a 1930's decor and a stately pinnacle. The Plaza presents first-run movies each weekend. Special showings are also planned during high-profile community events and festivals. Celebrating 50 years of entertainment under the stars is the historic Barco Drive-In.
One of the few remaining drive-ins on America's landscape, the Barco also presents first-run movies in FM Stereo sound. This week's features and show-times are listed in the Lamar Democrat.
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GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Lamar also sports a Semi-private Golf and Country Club. Visitors may enjoy the 9-hole course for nominal green fees. The Lamar Saddle Club Arena is used for teen roping, horse shows, rodeos, and barrel racing events. Special events are scheduled throughout the season.
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DOWNTOWN SQUARE, COURTHOUSE, HISTORICAL SOCIETY
 No visit to Lamar/Barton County would be complete without experiencing Missouri's second-largest Downtown Square Shopping district. Lamar's Constitution Square is crowned with the majestic Barton County Courthouse that dates back to 1889. The Barton County Historical Society and Museum is housed in the lower level of the Courthouse. Other historical highlights of the Square include a Civil War Cannon, a 1913 Bandstand, and 16 foot tall replica of the Statue of Liberty. To commemorate Harry Truman's Vice-Presidential acceptance speech from 1944, a Truman Memorial was placed. The shopping district includes a dynamic mix of gifts, arts & crafts, clothing, restaurants, and discount outlets.
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CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES
 The luxurious new Thiebaud Auditorium is opening up many new cultural venues for Lamar and Barton County. This plush facility features state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems to enhance the performing arts experiences held regularly. The main auditorium seats 805 guests. Two large meeting rooms are available to accommodate up to 200 guests.
The newly formed Lamar Community Theatre presents several productions at the Thiebaud. A new cultural arts center in the downtown district is under development by the Barton County Arts Council and the Lamar DownTown Association. The City of Lamar Parks and Recreation Department will soon be incorporating art education programs into its family activities.
First-run movies are shown each weekend at the Plaza Theatre. Celebrating 50 years of entertainment under the stars, the Barco Drive-In presents a weekly feature during its regular season.
On the edge of Ozark Mountain Country, Lamar is also treated to several live musical venues during several community-wide festivals and special events. See the Calendar of Events page for more details on special events planned. With nearby proximity to the Branson/Tri-Lakes area (90 minutes), Springfield (65 minutes), and Kansas City (120 minutes), your favorite entertainment and cultural events are never far away.
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HISTORY & HERITAGE
 The first settlers came to what is now known as Barton County in the 1840s. Wyatt Earp, who later became a famous lawmen of the wild west, was Lamar's first constable at the tender age of 22 between 1870 and 1871. Discover more of Barton County's notables of history by visiting our History and Heritage page.
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