Battle of Athens State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Athens State Historic Site |
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 Battle of Athens State Historic Site
Location in Missouri
Battle of Athens State Historic Site
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sweet Home Twp, Clark County, Missouri, United States |
| Area | 408.5 acres (165.3 ha) |
| Established | 1975 |
| Visitors | 58,262 (in 2023) |
| Administrator | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
The Battle of Athens State Historic Site is a special place in Clark County, Missouri. It is a state park and a historic battlefield. This site sits along the Des Moines River. It marks where the Battle of Athens happened in 1861. This battle was part of the American Civil War.
Today, the site is like an open-air museum. It helps visitors understand the battle and what happened afterward. It is also one of the most northern historic sites in Missouri.
Contents
History of the Battle of Athens
A Busy River Town Before the War
Before the Civil War, Athens, Missouri, was a busy river village. It had many businesses, maybe up to fifty. There was also a large mill. People relied on the river for travel and trade.
The Civil War Arrives in Athens
In July 1861, soldiers who supported the Union took control of Athens. These soldiers were part of the Missouri Home Guard. The American Civil War was a big conflict in the United States. It was fought between the Union (Northern states) and the Confederacy (Southern states).
The Battle of Athens in 1861
Soldiers who supported the Confederacy wanted to capture Athens. They knew it was an important location. On August 5, 1861, the pro-Southern Missouri State Guard attacked. The Home Guard soldiers were greatly outnumbered. There were more than three Confederate soldiers for every Union soldier.
Despite being outnumbered, the Home Guard won the battle! This was a smaller battle compared to others in the Civil War. Not many soldiers were hurt or killed. But it is famous for another reason. It was the northernmost Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River.
Athens Becomes a Ghost Town
After the battle, people in Athens still had strong feelings about the war. The town also faced new challenges. Railroads started to become more important than river shipping. This meant Athens was no longer a key trading spot.
Because of these changes, Athens slowly became a "ghost town." By the early 1900s, it was almost empty.
Creating a Historic Park
In 1962, people living nearby decided to save the historic site. They worked together to create the Battle of Athens Park. In 1975, they gave the park to the state of Missouri. Now, it is a state historic site for everyone to visit.
Things to Do at the Site
The Battle of Athens State Historic Site offers many fun activities. You can learn about the battle through special programs. There are also free tours of the Thome-Benning House.
If you love the outdoors, you can go camping or fishing. The site has three areas for picnicking. There are also two hiking trails to explore.
