Nostalgic Place Bed & Breakfast in the Ursuline Academy - Arcadia Academy Historic District: Lodging Fort Davidson State Historic Site, The Battle of Pilot Knob Reenactment, Iron County Historical Society Museum, Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Historic Downtown Main Street in Ironton.

MISSOURI CIVIL WAR HISTORY, FORT DAVIDSON AND THE BATTLE OF PILOT KNOB

"The towns of Pilot Knob, Ironton and Arcadia are rich in Civil War lore. Because of its strategic importance as the southern terminus of the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Railroad, Union soldiers occupied Pilot Knob and the Arcadia Valley throughout the war. Fort Davidson, the target of the Battle of Pilot Knob in 1864, is a hexagonal earthwork constructed by the Union Army and stands 300 yards from the base of Pilot Knob Mountain. The assault on Fort Davidson by Confederate troops left 1,500 soldiers dead or wounded. The fort and site are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Fort Davidson State Historic Site serves as a memorial to those who gave their lives on the battlefield, and the Visitor's Center provides detailed information about the battle through the use of artifacts, a diorama, and film. Additionally, a self-guided driving tour around the Arcadia Valley directs visitors to some of the most significant points on the battlefields. Each stop is marked by a red granite monument. Maps for this tour are available at Fort Davidson State Historic Site.

Every third year a full-scale re-enactment of the Battle of Pilot Knob is staged, attracting tens of thousands of spectators to the Valley. Be sure to make your plans now to attend the next Missouri battle reenactments being held.  Two re-enactments are scheduled during the Civil War Sesquicentennial celebrations; they are: September 25-26, 2010 and September 27-28, 2014.

The Iron County Courthouse, built in 1861, still bears the mark of a cannon ball fired on its roof during the battle. Both the courthouse and a gazebo on the lawn are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1861 Ulysses S. Grant received his commission as a Brigadier General at Ironton and a monument at the nearby Catholic church marks that location." (excerpt from the Arcadia Valley Missouri Tourism Website).  Learn about the next Reenactments and weekend activities by clicking the banner below.

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URSULINE ACADEMY - ARCADIA COLLEGE HISTORIC DISTRICT
(Registered 1848) Formerly the Academy of Ursuline Sisters for Girls

Nostalgic Place is the oldest structure on this historic campus.   Visit the rest of the campus next door to our Bed & Breakfast.   The Academy is a magnificent study of architecture set on 17 acres of majestic evergreens & towering oaks.  The famous spring still gushes crystal clear water. The St. Joseph Chapel has some of the most amazing stained glass windows in the world. Beautiful inside and out, it is now used for weddings, as well as religious services. 300 S College St., Arcadia

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH in Pilot Knob was used as a hospital and Union headquarters during the Civil War--- the Battle of Pilot Knob. Built in 1861, it still contains the original furniture and pipe organ.  Immanuel Lutheran was also home to the first "subscription school" in the Valley.  The school room remains today as it appeared in the 1800s.  Pine and Ziegler Street.

 

ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH (1870) is an exceptionally fine example of wooden, Gothic architecture; it contains the original lead-stained glass windows. 106 N. Knob St. Ironton