Buck Field Inn

Chouteau Gardens, the History. About 6 miles southeast of Blackwater a town was laid out as well as a park, called Chouteau Springs, as was the town. Three or four sulphur springs were located in the park and from 1900 to the 1950′s the park thrived on visitors who came to drink the “healing waters” as well as to entertain themselves with croquet matches, an outdoor bowling alley, a dance pavilion, refreshment stand, horseshoe pitching and an ice cold swimming pool, fed by the springs. “Grandma Day” presided over the hotel, becoming famous for her Sunday fried chicken, feeding over 100 people at times. When the pocket flower garden was established on Main St. Blackwater, where once a building stood, and named Chouteau Gardens, she painted a mural depicting the old Chouteau Springs Park.