Located on the Missouri River 105 mi/170 km west of St. Louis and occupying a more or less central location in the state, Jefferson City became the state capital in 1821, though it was only a small village at the time.
The Capitol building has a statue of Ceres, goddess of grain, perched at its top. The inside of the building is worth seeing too: The State Museum is there, and there are paintings by Thomas Hart Benton, N.C. Wyeth and other artists.
From the Capitol, it's a short walk to three other sights: the governor's residence where docents in period costumes will guide you through the first floor of the mansion, the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, which includes three of the city's most important historic buildings, and the Cole County Historical Society and Museum.
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