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Fort Davidson State Historic Site

Tour Stop

Entrance to Fort Davidson State Historic Site in Pilot Knob, Missouri Directions: The entrance to the Fort Davidson State Historic Site [ Waypoint = N37 37.275 W90 38.350 ] is located off Missouri Highway 221 at 118 East Maple, Pilot Knob, Missouri 63663. There are three basics ways to get to the site. You can get to Pilot Knob from the north or south on Missouri Highway 21 and from the east on Missouri Highway 221.

  • Coming from the north on Missouri Route 21, turn left (east) onto Missouri Route 221 (Maple Street. After about three blocks or so, turn right into the Site's parking lot at the intersection of Maple and Zeigler.
  • Coming from the south on Missouri Route 21, turn right (east) onto Missouri Route 221 (Maple Street. After about three blocks or so, turn right into the Site's parking lot at the intersection of Maple and Zeigler.
  • Coming from the east on Missouri Route 221, about 0.2 miles past the “Welcome to Pilot Knob” sign, turn left into the Site's parking lot at the intersection of Maple and Zeigler.

You can get detailed directions at the Fort Davidson State Historic Site's website.
Description: The Fort Davidson State Historic Site is fairly small but well worth the visit. There is, of course, a Visitor Center that is the next tour stop. But the jewel of the site is Fort Davidson itself, the hexagonal, earthworks fortification that was held by the Federals and assaulted by the Confederates. The Confederate assault occurred towards the end of the fighting September 27, 1864. You can take the walking tour after visiting the Visitor Center or follow the tour in a more chronological order.
The Missouri State Parks Department has ambitious plans to extend the Fort Davidson State Historic Site. The Conceptual Development Plan was created in 2005 and there is no published timetable. These plans include the following items:

  • Develop a hiking trail and overlook on Pilot Knob Mountain
  • Protect Shepherd Mountain's scenic vista through an easement with the town of Ironton
  • Develop an interpretive area at Shut-Ins Gap
  • Acquire Immanuel Lutheran Church as an interpretive facility


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