Visitors Guide to Chaffee
Scott County, Missouri
Tywappity Community Lake
On June 20, 1905, The Chaffee Real Estate Company of St. Louis, Missouri purchased 1,800 acres of land from a local farmer, John Witt of Sikeston. Shortly thereafter the company transferred ownership of 150 acres to the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway for the purposes of building a large switching yard and began surveying the area for a town for the railroad employees. Since its the beginning, the railroad has been a big part of the community of Chaffee. The Burlington Northern Railroad still has a depot here. You can catch a glimpse of the railroad influence in the mural painted by local artist Aaron Horrell at Yoakum and Main Streets. At the outskirts of Chaffee is Lake Tywappity. This recreational area offers a wonderful outdoor experience where you can fish, hike over trails, study nature and wildlife, and enjoy a family picnic. The area consists of 147 acres of woodland and 37 acres of surface water. Chaffee is home to four community parks that feature sports areas, a public swimming pool, shaded picnic areas and community concerts. Each year residents celebrate their heritage with the German Days Annual Festival.
