Battle of Athens State Historic Site is located in Clark County, Missouri

Clark County, Missouri

Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 7,139. Its county seat is Kahoka. The county was organized in 1836 and named after William Clark, leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and later a Governor of Missouri Territory.Clark County is part...

 along the banks of the Des Moines River

Des Moines River

The Des Moines River is a tributary river of the Mississippi River, approximately long to its farther headwaters, in the upper Midwestern United States...

. It is the site of the Battle of Athens

Battle of Athens (1861)

The Battle of Athens was an American Civil War skirmish that took place in northeast Missouri in 1861 near present Revere and southeast Iowa along the Des Moines River across from Croton...

.

History

The once-thriving river village of Athens, Missouri had up to fifty businesses and a large mill in antebellum times. In July 1861 it was occupied by pro-Union forces of the Missouri Home Guard

State Defense Forces

State defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government; they are partially regulated by the National Guard Bureau but they are not a part of the Army National Guard of the United States...

. Wanting to seize the strategically important village for the Confederacy, elements of the pro-Southern Missouri State Guard

Missouri State Guard

The Missouri State Guard was a state militia organized in the state of Missouri during the early days of the American Civil War. While not initially a formal part of the Confederate States Army, the State Guard fought alongside Confederate troops and, at times, under regular Confederate...

 attacked on August 5, 1861. Despite being outnumbered by more than 3-to-1, the State Guard emerged victorious. A small action when compared to other battles, with casualties light, nonetheless it holds the distinction of being the northernmost Civil War

American Civil War

The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...

 battle west of the Mississippi River

Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...

. Following the battle, many bitter feelings remained among residents. This along with the coming of railroads and less reliance on river shipping sealed the fate of Athens.. By the turn of the 20th century Athens was a veritable ghost town. In 1962, remaining area residents worked together to create the Battle of Athens Park, which was donated to the state of Missouri in 1975.
The historic site and open-air museum interpret the battle and its aftermath.

Features

Boating: A ten-acre lake is available for use by boats and canoes with electric trolling motors only. No gasoline motors. No marina services available.

Camping: Basic and electric campsites are available each April through November. Water is available in the campground.

Fishing: Predominate species found in the lake are large-mouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and some channel catfish.

Hiking: Three trails are available. Two are approximately 1.75 miles in length. The third is .75 miles.

Picnicking: Battle of Athens State Historic Site offers three picnic areas and one enclosed picnic shelter.

Swimming: Swimming is not allowed.

External links

• Battle of Athens State Historic Site