Wilson's Creek National Battlefield near Republic is the National Park Service site for the August 10, 1861 battle, and state historic sites at Lexington, Athens and Island Mound cover other fights.
Each row below was read on the page named in its last column on October 30, 2026. Prices, hours and rules change, so confirm with the operator before you go. Items we could not read are listed under What We Could Not Verify.
Background
- Wilson's Creek: first Union general killed in action; called a costly Southern victory. (nps.gov)
- Lexington visitor center explains how the battle affected Missouri State Guard morale and Unionist thinking. (mostateparks.com)
- Lexington site is described as one of the Civil War sites closest to Interstate 70. (mostateparks.com)
- Island Mound's 1862 skirmish is nationally significant as the first combat by Black soldiers in the war, per the site page. (mostateparks.com)
- Island Mound is a partner in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. (mostateparks.com)
- Boone's Lick: Boone's sons boiled spring water and shipped salt to St. Louis by keelboat. (mostateparks.com)
Where to Go
| Place | Town | What It Is | Hours or Price as Printed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson's Creek National Battlefield | Republic | NPS site for the first major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi; visitor center remodeled. | No entrance fee; front desk phone monitored 9-5 daily (page dated 2021); hours page not stated | nps.gov |
| Battle of Lexington State Historic Site | Lexington | Centered on the Anderson House, scene of a three-day 1861 battle, with bullet holes still visible. | Hours via Park Hours page; fees not stated | mostateparks.com |
| Battle of Athens State Historic Site | Revere | Marks the northernmost battle west of the Mississippi; a building has a cannonball hole. | Hours via Park Hours page; fees not stated | mostateparks.com |
| Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site | Butler | Preserves the Toothman Farm, used as 'Fort Africa' by the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry; 0.5-mile Courage Trail. | Hours via Park Hours page; fees not stated | mostateparks.com |
| Boone's Lick State Historic Site | Boonesboro | Outdoor remnants of early salt production by Daniel Boone's sons (not a Civil War site). | Hours via Park Hours page; fees not stated | mostateparks.com |
What We Could Not Verify
- Wilson's Creek hours page (404)
- Wilson's Creek battle history page (404)
- Boone's Lick has no Civil War content; included only as the task named it
- State site hours and fees not printed on pages
More Missouri Guides
Questions People Ask
Does Wilson's Creek charge admission?
The fees page says no entrance pass is required.
Address of Wilson's Creek?
5242 S. State Hwy ZZ, Republic, MO 65738; 417-732-2662.
Where is the Lexington site?
1101 Delaware, Lexington, MO; office 660-259-4654.
Sources
Checked October 30, 2026 by It’s Missouri. Cite this page: It’s Missouri (https://itsmissouri.com/things-to-do/civil-war-sites/), checked October 30, 2026. Free to quote with a link.