JEFFERSON CITY, MO, May 19, 2026 – America is turning 250 this year, and Mark Twain State Park near Florida, Missouri, is making sure the milestone doesn’t go unnoticed. Throughout the park, a new wave of flags marks the park’s role in the national celebration, inviting visitors to reflect on two-and-a-half centuries of history in the namesake park of one of the country’s greatest icons.
The team at Mark Twain State Park is known for their patriotism. Rachel Hoemann, park superintendent, said the flags at the park represent not only the spirit of America, but also the spirit of Missouri’s state parks.
“Seeing these flags will remind our guests that history isn't just in books; it's in the land as well,” Hoemann said. “Mark Twain said true patriotism is loyalty to your country all the time. By placing these flags in the park, we aren't just celebrating a date on a calendar; we are honoring the honest and often humorous spirit that Twain gave to the American identity.”
For those spending time camping, fishing or hiking the trails of Mark Twain State Park this year, the message is simple: America is still unfolding, and its history is as vibrant and enduring as the Missouri hills themselves. Hoemann invites guests to visit the park and reflect on the past as well as the future, and to celebrate our beloved country.
The primary source of funding for the state park system, is half of the dedicated constitutional tax of one-tenth-of-one-percent Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax. The tax provides about three-fourths of the division's budget for operation and development of state parks. All additional funding for Missouri's Division of State Parks comes from revenues generated in the state park system and some federal funds.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit the Missouri State Parks website. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
