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Historic Civil War Markers

MERNA: The landing site of Gen. Nathaniel Lyons and his Union Army on June 17, 1861. They were coming from St. Louis attempting to surprise Missouri Volunteers camped uphill. The marker, which was erected by the Grand Army of the Republic in 1929, stands near the railroad tracks where the Boonville Bluffs and the Missouri Rive once met.

DNR MARKER AT ENCAMPMENT: Considered to be the first land battle of the civil war. An attack on the new Missouri State Guard recruits is depicted on this marker. It is located by the Missouri Correctional Center on Morgan Street.

PILOT GROVE MARKER: Union General Lyons after replenishing his troops in Boonville with Iowa troops headed southwest to Springfield towards a Confederate gathering. Along the road in Pilot Grove his troops were raided by "Bloody" Bill Anderson. The marker is located at the current Lions Park in Pilot Grove on Roe Street.

THE SECOND BATTLE OF BOONVILLE: An attack by southern sympathizers and state guard in an attempt to regain Boonville for the South. The marker is located by Thespian Hall on Main Street Boonville. At the time of the war the theater was used as a prison and hospital.

COURTHOUSE GROUNDS: Located at 200 Main St. in Boonville this marker honors the Union soldiers killed in the battle.

SUNSET HILL CEMETERY: A U.S. Government plaque marks the mass grave and tells the story of the Union soldiers that were killed chasing "Bloody" Bill Anderson. Located on South Street.

WILKINS BRIDGE: Site of a violent meeting between General Sanborns' Union army and the Shelby Confederates in October 1864. The marker, which is a large flat stone and a bronze plaque, is located at the site of the old Wilkins bridge east of Billingsville on Billingsville Rd.

OTTERVILLE: From December 1861 till May 1865 Union troops made camp called "Camp Curtis" just east of Otterville at a railroad bridge crossing of the Lamine River. The Union troops dug in almost a mile of trenches 6-8 ft deep to protect the bridge which was still burned three times during their occupancy. The marker is located at the conservation area boat launch on Hwy. A. David Mckinney the man that owns the land where the trenches are located has a small museum of artifacts found in the trenches and will show visitors upon request.

Other Important Markers

PILOT GROVE CITY PARK: History of Harriman's Mill and the original millstone. Located at 184 Mt Vernon St. in Pilot Grove.

OLD FASHIONED WINDMILL: In the middle of downtown Blackwater stands this old fashioned windmill where the community well once was.

JESSE JAMES PARK: Located on Hwy. A near Otterville. Tells the story of the area.

HANNAH COLE MARKER: Located on Main Street in the Laura Speed Elliot Middle School lawn. Marker tells history of the first female settler in the area.

BRISCOE CEMETERY: Hannah Cole's grave site. First woman settler in Cooper County. Cemetery is located along Hwy 5.

HANNAH COLE FORT AND FIRST MISSOURI STATE FAIR SITES: Located on Morgan Street, In front of where the old hospital use to stand.

COURTHOUSE LAWN: Series of markers and statue to honor the Cooper County men who died in WW1, Marking of the Sante Fe Trail, Boy Scout of America, and the death of Sheriff Smith.

INDIAN MOUND MARKER: located at Harley Park just off of Sombart Rd.

HARLEY PARK OVERLOOK: Is a great view of the Missouri River Bottoms. It is also a national Sante Fe Trail overlook. Located off Sombart Rd.

THE GRAVESTONE OF WILLIE< THE LITTLE STRANGER: Gravestone marks grave of a little boy who in 1856 while traveling with his parents across america died. Located in the Sunset Hills Cemetery by South Street.

ROADSIDE PARK: Tells the History of the Boonslick Area. Located 1/2 mile east of Boonville on Hwy. 98.

HISTORIC SITES IN BOONVILLE MISSOURI INTERACTIVE MAP
Map includes County Jail, Courthouse, Katy Depot, Thespian Hall, and many more places to see.

HISTORIC BUILDINGS TO VISIT IN COOPER COUNTY

FOR HOUSES AND BUILDING IN BOONVILLE SEE MAP ABOVE.

RAVENSWOOD HOME AND FARM: Built in 1880 by Capt. Charles E. Leonard and his wife Nadine Nelson. This 30 room Eclectic Victorian style house is open for tours during the spring, summer, and fall months. Located NW of Bunceton on Hwy 5.

PLEASANT GREEN: Built around 1818 by Winston and Polly Walker. Building was built by slaves using bricks made on the property. Located on Hwy 135.

EASTWOOD FARMS: The big house was built 1854, replaced in 1913 by now standing 27 room mansion. This is location of the 1924 Battle of Bunceton where 75,000 people met for a political gathering. Located on Eastwood Rd.

OLD JAIL: located on Main Street in Pilot Grove was built in late 1870's has since been restored.

OLD PUBLIC SCHOOL: Built 1869. Now is a Masonic Temple. Located on Union Ave in Otterville.

OLD BANK BUILDING AND HOTEL: House of Masons and other fraternal orders. Located on E Grover Street in Otterville.

REPLICA OF 1887 MO. PACIFIC RAILROAD"S BLACKWATER DEPOT: Located in downtown blackwater by the tracks.

CALABOOSE: replica of Blackwater's jail with original locally made double bunk cell. Located on Wildcliff Rd.

MID MISSOURI MUSEUM OF TELEPHONE PIONEERS: contains Harold Jones' lifetime collection of telephones. Located in downtown Blackwater.

WEST END THEATRE: housed in a 1905 church on 301 Doddridge Ave. in Blackwater. Still in use today come and catch a show.

IRON HORSE HOTEL AND RESTURANT: A fully restored 1880's railroad hotel and restaurant. Website click here.