The site of a pivotal 1864 Civil War battle where a small Union force held Fort Davidson against a far larger Confederate army — now a museum and preserved fort.
On September 27, 1864, the Battle of Pilot Knob was fought here, when a small Union garrison inside Fort Davidson repelled a much larger Confederate force in one of the most unusual engagements of the Civil War.
Today the Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site preserves the remains of the hexagonal earthen fort and offers a visitor center and museum with artifacts, exhibits, and a film about the battle. A self-guided tour walks you through the fort and the surrounding battlefield.
It's a quiet, contemplative stop that adds a powerful layer of history to a visit to the valley — and a reminder that this corner of Missouri was once strategically vital.
