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| Reviews and photos of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Wilson's Creek National Battlefield sightseeing. Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Map |
 | Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 11 |  |
Artillery played a prevalent part in this early battle of the Civil War. The hardest fighting of the day took place in the meat of today's auto-tour, somewhat on a line between Stop 7 (the Bloody Hill) and Stop 3 (the East Overlook). With no cannon foundries in the south, every captured gun was an enormous prize. Leave a Comment
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Those persons crossing Wilson's Creek on the tour road will merely pass a pleasant stream, a serene place befitting the several joggers you're certain to encounter. To get a battlefield view of the creek though, you'll have to trace the historic track of the Old Wire Road, which also takes you past the Edwards Cabin (Price's headquarters) on its rude supports. Leave a Comment
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At the foot of the hill in front of the Ray House, you can see a small stone structure that resembles a primitive oven. Though not resting on or near Wilson's Creek, the structure pooled water in a natural recess, providing the family's drinking water. Today, along with the actual house, the spring house is the only other surviving structure on the battlefield. Leave a Comment
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Built in 1852, the Ray House is the main surviving structure associated with the battlefield. Before the war it was a "flag stop" on the Butterfield Overland Stage route (which brought nearby Springfield into prominence -- see my Springfield page). During the battle it served mainly as a Confederate hospital and also for a short time afterward, though dying Union general Lyons was brought here also at the end of the fighting. Leave a Comment
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Stop 3 on the auto tour pinpoints the location of an Arkansas battery that halted the Union advance coming from the west on what was known as Bloody Hill. The artillery from here kept up a hot fire throughout the battle. The spot also marks (or nearly marks) the position of CSA General Price's headquarters. The point today occupies a woody ridge in the northwest of the battlefield, much as it did in 1861 (therefore the bad shadows). Leave a Comment
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The Visitor Center is generally the best stopping place for another national park or battlefield tour. Though limited in its publications, the visitor center at Wilson's Creek will discuss anything about the battle or the progress of the Civil War in Missouri with whomever might ask. Leave a Comment
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The worst fighting at Wilson's Creek occurred to the west of the stream at a prominence later to be known as "Bloody Hill." The hill is due west of the Ray House, lies at almost an equal distance from Wilson's Creek, and sits at almost the same elevation. 4,000 Union men under Gen. Lyons held this high ground against repeated attacks, but at the end of the fighting, over 1,700 Union and Confederate soldiers had be killed or wounded here. Among the fatalities was Gen. Lyons. Leave a Comment
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One of the few battlefields that still retains most of it's appearance from the time of the battle. Phone: 417-732-2662Directions: From I-44: exit at Exit #70 (Missouri Highway MM). Continue south. MM changes to Missouri Highway M. Continue 1/2 mile to Missouri Highway ZZ. Turn right on ZZ. Continue south 1-1/2 miles to Farm Road 182 (Elm Street). Turn left.Website: www.nps.gov/wicr
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The Visitor Center is open every day 8 - 5. It has a small museum with exhibits about the battle, a thirteen minute film (always a good deal at a NPS site), and a bookstore. There was supposed to be a fiber optics map program but it wasn't in operation when we were there. It had been sent to be repaired. The rangers said it was one of the most popular of the exhibits there. Also in the Visitor's Center is a research library which is open Tuesday to Saturday Leave a Comment Phone: 417.732.2662Directions: U.S. 65 (from Branson): Turn left (west) on State Highway 14 at Ozark. Continue west on Highway 14 to State Highway ZZ. Turn right on ZZ and follow it north to Farm Road 182 (Elm Street). Turn right at the intersection. Entrance on the right.Website: http://www.nps.gov/wicr/
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We found out when we visited the Visitor's center that there is a 4.9 mile paved tour road. There are eight interpretive stops at significant points to the battle. There are five walking trails off the tour road for individual exploration, varying in length from one-fourth of a mile to three-fourths of a mile. Only automobiles, buses, walkers, bikers and horseback riders are allowed on this road, and bikes are only allowed on the road, not on the trails. Leave a Comment
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More Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Tips |
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on May 11, 2003
on October 19, 2007
on April 15, 2006
