Jolly Mill Park is a private historical park open to the public for recreation. It is not part of a state or local recreation/conservation program. 

Because of its rich history and importance to the culture of Southwest Missouri, Jolly Mill is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  But that doesn't mean you can't have fun here.  The park is full of picnic tables, playgrounds, and time-period buildings to explore.  There are also many organized events that take place throughout the year.

Jolly Mill was originally built in 1848 to serve as a whiskey distillery.  The success of the mill by the 1850s led to the establishment and subsequent growth of the town of Jollification.  The town was burned during the Civil War and was later somewhat rebuilt, but the mill survived intact all these years. However, in 1870, the railroad bypassed what was left of Jollification, which ultimately led to its dissolution. The mill soon after reduced its function as a distillery and transitioned into a grist mill, continuing to operate in that capacity until 1973.

The mill was purchased in 1983 by the 501(c)(3)c non-profit Jolly Mill Foundation.  Since then, under the care of “The Friends of Jolly Mill,” the Mill and surrounding land has undergone substantial restoration, primarily converting it into a public family-friendly park, with many period buildings moved in from other locations in an attempt to replicate the look and feel of the town of Jollification.