A major facelift is coming to Cooper’s Landing — and it’s designed to last.
In 1820, a Tennessee settler named Ira P. Nash founded a small but mighty town just southwest of Columbia, eventually named Nashville in his honor. With only a handful of buildings, including a tobacco warehouse and a post office, the town’s real focal point was its location on the Missouri River, which made it one of the busiest shipping hubs along its banks.
Nash called it “the most beautiful spot in all creation.”
For nearly 25 years, Nashville thrived; that is, until the Great Flood of 1844 hit. With eight surging feet of water, the record-breaking flood scared off its inhabitants and swept the town away.
Today, that same land is home to Cooper’s Landing, a treasured riverside escape for campers, bikers, diners, boaters, and music lovers. But like its predecessor, Cooper’s Landing has never been immune to the fury of the great Missouri River.
Now, after decades of patchwork survival and multiple floods, the property will undergo a long-needed modification. Owner Richard King is spearheading the construction of a new, flood-resilient, two-story building designed to better serve guests and withstand the Big Muddy.
(Learning to) Love That Dirty Water
Cooper’s Landing has weathered its fair share of Missouri River floods, including those in 1987, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2007, and — most recently — 2019, just days into King’s ownership. Though King is seasoned in the music and entertainment world, having owned the Blue Note, Rose Music Hall (formerly Mojo’s), and the Roots N Blues music festival, this was an entirely new challenge.
“Right after we bought it, the Army Corps of Engineers called and said, ‘The river is coming up a lot higher than we expected,’” King recalls. “I don’t think anyone expected the water to go up that high … We’ve learned a lot of lessons from that flood. That was sort of my indoctrination to how the Missouri River flows.”
To some extent, the flood brought what King calls “a silver lining in that big, ugly cloud.” It gave him a clean slate, removing the clutter of abandoned trailers and boats that had plagued the property. With significant help from Missouri River Relief and others, he began the long process of restoration. But once the cleanup concluded, he ran into another issue.
“The building wasn’t acceptable to Boone County Resource Management, so my only option was to completely refurbish the building, which wouldn’t meet the needs of today’s people, who are cycling, boating on the river, kayaking, and coming down for the music.”
Work so far has included the installation of new septic systems two years ago, paving the way for long-awaited upgrades like real bathrooms and showers for campers. Cooper’s Landing has also improved its electrical infrastructure as much as possible ahead of the new construction.
King expects to begin work on the main building in early October 2025, once the busy season winds down, starting with demolition and a fresh foundation pour. The design comes from architect Stephen Bourgeois, a longtime friend of King’s and the creative force behind the Les Bourgeois Blufftop Bistro and winery, the park next to Rose Music Hall, and other standout projects.
“Stephen did a lot of research and looked at other flood-prone areas and people that live in areas that tend to flood more. And the way he designed it, I mean, I loved it the moment I saw it.”
The new structure, which the county has called a “first of its kind,” will be made of concrete, steel, and glass — materials chosen for their strength against floodwaters. In addition to a general store, the building will feature a second-floor space that can be rented for private events or used for overflow and indoor seating. King says the new building will open up many more possibilities for how the grounds can be used.
Good for the ’Hood
Improvements are also planned for Smith Hatchery Road, which leads to Cooper’s Landing. The county will be paving the road, which will enhance parking options and reduce dust. Residents near Cooper’s Landing have already expressed their enthusiasm about the project to King.
“They come in to listen to music, buy food from our food trucks, and just hang around,” says King about his neighbors. “I know that with the road improvements, everyone along that corner will be notified, and they will be allowed to offer their input.”
Ultimately, he sees the renovation as a way to better serve both the local community and the adventurous spirits who pass through.
“There’s the cycling community; they come from all over the place … I met two guys yesterday who were biking from California to Massachusetts!” King said, clearly impressed. “Then there’s the slowly but surely building kayaking community. I’ve met kayakers who have come all the way from Montana, which is the mouth of the Missouri River. You sit there and talk with them [out-of-state travelers], and they’re awesome people who take on these challenges.”
King intends to have the building completed in six months or less from its start date, but the timeline — and the price tag — could still shift at this point in the process. As he looks to the future, he’s confident that a stronger Cooper’s Landing will continue offering something rare: a place where good food, live music, and outdoor adventure still meet on the river’s edge.
“Put your phone away. Listen to the music. Grab yourself a cold beer and take it all in,” says King. “The whole idea is to make the experience the best experience you can have. And that’s why this building is going up.”
