Branson, Missouri, and the surrounding area is an outstanding location for history buffs. The Ozarks might not always be the first place history teachers talk about, but this portion of Missouri has some very unique historical sites and stories that you won’t find anywhere else. There is a good deal of Missouri Civil War history in these parts that many people find fascinating – if you are one of those people, get ready to do some digging into the past!
An often-overlooked part of Missouri Civil War History is the development and initiation of the Pony Express. In 1860, it became imperative to carry mail and information much, much quicker to and from San Francisco, California. The current rate for getting the mail from Missouri to California was twenty-five days. The creators of the Pony Express proposed to do it in ten. The first Pony Express rider left St. Joseph, Missouri, on the morning of April 3, 1860. Though the Pony Express was only utilized for nineteen months, the horses and riders employed by the service played a vital role in carrying news of the impending war, and connecting the newly formed state of California to the rest of the U.S. Today, the old Pony Express stables in St. Joseph have been converted into a museum, where guests can learn about and appreciate the risks and contributions of the Pony Express.
To get a look at one of the most historic and influential Missouri Civil War sites, you’ll want to visit Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, located northwest of Branson in Republic, Mo. The Battle of Wilson’s Creek took place on August 10, 1861, and was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River. The outcome of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek was a Southern victory, and a costly one. It was the first battle of the war to claim the life of a Union General – one Nathaniel Lyon. This struggle for victory in Missouri focused the attention of the nation to the battles being fought on Ozarks soil. Today, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield offers an interpretive look at the battle, and commemorates the lives of all the soldiers who were killed fighting for their side. The national historic site offers self guided tours, hiking trails, a museum, and re-enactments on special occasions.
St. Louis, Missouri, was a well-visited metropolis during the Civil War, since it was a river town. It was also the site of a unique partnership between the Army and the Navy that would ultimately keep the Confederates from overtaking Missouri. Riverman James Buchanan Eads won a contract for building a fleet of shallow-draft ironclads designed for use on the Western rivers; Army officials and Navy officials collaborated to help speed the project along. All said and done, nine ironclads were built in just three months. Beginning their work in 1862, these ironclads (among other crafts) and a riverine strategy put nearby the Confederates on the defensive for the remainder of the war and ended efforts to recapture Missouri. While there isn’t a museum dedicated to these boats, you can visit St. Louis and see the river!
There is certainly no shortage of Missouri Civil War history to be had near Branson. If you like looking back, do some exploring and research of your own about this fascinating time in Missouri history!
