Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
Encyclopedia
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield at 6424 West Farm Road 182 near Republic, Missouri
, preserves the site of the Battle of Wilson's Creek
. Fought on August 10, 1861, it was the first major American Civil War
engagement west of the Mississippi River
. The Confederate's failure to exploit their victory here resulted in keeping Missouri
in the Union. Major features include a 5-mile automobile tour loop, the restored 1852 Ray House, and "Bloody Hill," the scene of the major battle. The site is located just southwest of the city of Springfield
, in southwestern Missouri.
on December 16, 1970. As with all historic areas administered by the National Park Service
, the battlefield was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on October 15, 1966.
The visitor center offers brochures about the 4.9 mile self-guided tour of the battlefield, and is the location for special events.
The Wilson's Creek Civil War Museum (formerly the General Sweeny Museum), contains artifacts relating to the war west of the Mississippi and exhibits about the war and war life, and is located north of the visitor's center.
The 1850s Ray House is a historic house museum that was the site of a temporary field hospital for Southern soldiers after the battle. The house is open on weekends in the summer.
Republic, Missouri
Republic is a city in Christian and Greene counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population is 14,751 according to the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, preserves the site of the Battle of Wilson's Creek
Battle of Wilson's Creek
The Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, was fought on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri, between Union forces and the Missouri State Guard, early in the American Civil War. It was the first major battle of the war west of the Mississippi River and is sometimes...
. Fought on August 10, 1861, it was the first major American 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...
engagement 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...
. The Confederate's failure to exploit their victory here resulted in keeping Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
in the Union. Major features include a 5-mile automobile tour loop, the restored 1852 Ray House, and "Bloody Hill," the scene of the major battle. The site is located just southwest of the city of Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, in southwestern Missouri.
Battle at Wilson's Creek
The Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, was fought on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri. Union forces were striving to defeat the Missouri State Guard and preserve Missouri for the Union, along with St. Louis, a major port on the Mississippi River.Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Park
The battle site was established as Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Park on April 22, 1960, and was redesignated a National BattlefieldNational Military Park
National Military Park, National Battlefield, National Battlefield Park, and National Battlefield Site are four designations for 24 battle sites preserved by the United States federal government because of their national importance...
on December 16, 1970. As with all historic areas administered by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
, the battlefield was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on October 15, 1966.
The visitor center offers brochures about the 4.9 mile self-guided tour of the battlefield, and is the location for special events.
The Wilson's Creek Civil War Museum (formerly the General Sweeny Museum), contains artifacts relating to the war west of the Mississippi and exhibits about the war and war life, and is located north of the visitor's center.
The 1850s Ray House is a historic house museum that was the site of a temporary field hospital for Southern soldiers after the battle. The house is open on weekends in the summer.
External links
- Official NPS website: Wilson's Creek National Battlefield