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Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
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Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle foughtwest of the Mississippi River, and the scene of the death of Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in combat. Although a Southern victory, the Southerners failed to capitalize on their success. With the exception of the vegetation, the field has changed little and remains in near pristine condition.
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The Basics |
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| Hours: |
Daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Visitor Center hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Note: The museum is closed during November, December, January, February and March. Park (Tour Road) hours are currently 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. |
| Address: |
6424 West Farm Road 182
Republic, MO 65738
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| Phone: |
417-732-2662 |
| Fax: |
417-732-1167 |
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Directions |
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From I-44
Exit at Exit #70 (Missouri Highway MM). Continue south to U.S. Highway 60 (traffic light). Proceed through the intersection. MM changes to Missouri Highway M. Continue 1/2 mile to Missouri Highway ZZ. Turn right on ZZ. Continue south 1 and 1/2 miles to Farm Road 182 (Elm Street). Turn left; the entrance to the battlefield is on the right. From U.S. Highway 65 (north of Springfield): exit on James River Expressway (U.S. Highway 60). Continue west on James River Expressway past the Missouri Highway FF exit. Take the U.S. Highway 60 (Republic) exit. Turn left (south) on U.S. Highway 60. Continue 2 miles to Missouri Highway M and turn left. Continue east on Highway M for 1/2 mile. Turn right on Missouri Highway ZZ and travel 1 and 1/2 mile to Farm Road 182 (Elm Street). Turn left; the entrance to the battlefield is on the right. From U.S. Highway 65 (south of Springfield, Branson and the lakes area)
Make a left on Missouri Highway 14 at Ozark. Continue west on Highway 14 through the town of Nixa to Missouri Highway ZZ. Follow ZZ north to Farm Road 182 (Elm Street). Turn right; the entrance to the battlefield is on the right. From Missouri Highway 13
Note that Highway 13 becomes Kansas Expressway upon entering Springfield. Follow Kansas Expressway south to U.S. Highway 60 (W. Sunshine). At the intersection turn right on U.S. Highway 60. Continue west and south on Highway 60 to the Missouri Highway MM/M intersection. Turn left on Highway M. Continue 1/2 mile to Missouri Highway ZZ and turn right. Continue south 1 and 1/2 miles to Farm Road 182 (Elm Street). Turn left; the entrance to the battlefield is on the right.
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Climate |
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Spring and Fall are moderate in temperature and humidity. Summer, particularly July through August, is typically hot and humid. Winter, November through February, is cold with occasional light snow, but seldom does a snow cover last more than two or three days.
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Link to our Springfield Weather coverage for more information.
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Things To Do |
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Outdoor Activities A 4.9 mile paved tour road may be accessed by private vehicle, bicycle, or on foot (rollerblades, skateboards and other similar modes of transport are prohibited). There are eight interpretive stops at significant points on the tour road. There are five walking trails off the tour road for individual exploration, varying in length from 1/4 to 3/4 of a mile. A 7-mile trail system for horseback riding and hiking is accessible from the tour road. Parking is available in the Visitor Center parking area as well as at each of the eight interpretive stops. Military Staff RidesStaff rides began with the Prussian Army in the mid-1800s and with the U.S. Army in the early 1900s as a way to further the development of officers. They began to gain popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, and today, both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps use Staff Rides extensively and define them the same way: "A staff ride consists of systematic preliminary study of a selected campaign, an extensive visit to the actual sites associated with that campaign, and an opportunity to integrate the lessons derived from each. It envisions maximum student involvement before arrival at the site to guarantee thoughtful analysis and discussion. A staff ride thus links a historical event, systematic preliminary study, and actual terrain to produce battle analysis in three dimensions. It consists of three distinct phases: preliminary study, field study, and integration." A staff ride is a group exercise in which each participant gives a briefing on plans, orders, events, decisions, and individuals. They frequently take on the persona of one of the primary participants in the battle. Afterwards, his/her colleagues question him/her about that participant's view of what has occurred on the battlefield at that point. Crucial concepts addressed in a staff ride should include the nine principles of war: mass, objective, offensive, surprise, economy of force, maneuver, unity of command, security, and simplicity. These should be covered at each stage of the battle. Both the Army and Marine Corps determine that "staff rides have often been confused with other exercises that involve the terrain. A tactical exercise without troops (TEWT) uses terrain and hypothetical scenarios, but not history, as a teaching vehicle. A historical battlefield tour is a visit to the site of a battle but involves little or no preliminary systematic study on the part of the student. While a historical tour can stimulate thought and discussion, it is limited by the lack of student preparation and involvement."
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Indoor Activities |
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The Visitor Center is open seven days a week from 8 am to 5 pm, and contains exhibits about the battle, a thirteen-minute film, an eight-minute fiber optics map program, and a bookstore. An excellent Civil War research library is open to visitors from Tuesday through Saturday. The Wilson's Creek Civil War Museum (formerly the Sweeny Museum), an outstanding collection of original Civil War artifacts relating to the war west of the Mississippi River, is located just north of the battlefield Visitor Center. The museum is open seven days a week from 9 am-5 pm through October. The park entrance fee includes admission to the Civil War Museum. All park facilities are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. In addition to the Visitor Center and Civil War Museum, the Ray House is open periodically through the summer, with interpreters dressed in period clothing giving guided tours.
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Nearby Attractions |
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Related Sites in Springfield - Springfield National Cemetery, 1702 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO 65804
- History Museum for Springfield and Greene County, 830 Boonville, Springfield, MO 65802
- Public Library, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield, MO 65810
- Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4600 S. Chrisman, Springfield, MO 65804
Nearby National Parks - Arkansas Post National Monument (Gilett, Arkansas)
- Fort Smith National Historic Site (Fort Smith, Arkansas)
- Pea Ridge National Military Park (Pea Ridge, Arkansas)
- Fort Scott National Historic Site (Fort Scott, Kansas)
- George Washington Carver National Monument (Diamond, Missouri) Jefferson National Expansion Memorial/
- Gateway Arch (St. Louis, Missouri)
- Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site (Saint Louis, Missouri)
- Harry S. Truman National Historic Site (Independence, Missouri)
Missouri State Parks Battle of Carthage State Historic Site (Carthage, Missouri) Battle of Lexington State Historic Site (Lexington, Missouri)Fort Davidson State Historic Site (Pilot Knob, Missouri)Battle of Athens State Historic Site (Revere, Missouri)
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Link to our Springfield Attractions coverage for more information.
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